Week 31: Trust and Delight

Focus Scripture

Day 1 – No Reason to fret

In this psalm of hope and trust in the Lord, David, most likely writing while in hiding among the caves, reflects on a life lived for God.  As we look around us, even today, it seems like those who do evil and wrong are the only ones who are prospering.  It can easily leave us with the impression that right or wrong, if we want to succeed in this world we must adapt ourselves to the unrighteous practices of those who are “large and in charge” so that we may enjoy life and prosperity.

Nothing can be further from the truth.  Even from the cave, pursued by enemies that appear to have the upper hand, David calls all to recognize that prosperity or success that comes at the cost of righteousness is nothing to envy or admire.  In fact, David takes a wait and see attitude.  As seasons change and the grass and the flowers fade, so it is with those “wrongdoers” who appear to have success and prosperity.  Their strength will fail and the luster and attractiveness of their seeming success will fade.

Application:

1. Have questions about God’s faithfulness invaded your mind because of negative circumstances?  Financial loss got you down?
2. In the face of negative circumstances or suffering, it can be easy to look at those around us and fret and envy because they seem to have it all together…even those who are “wrongdoers”.  Commit yourself, today, to recognize that God’s faithful provision is both assured and timely.  Lean into Him and declare your hope that only comes through God.

Prayer:

Father, it can be tough at times.  Hardships come and my minds eye focuses on others rather than You.  I see those around me seeming to have it all together while I plod through, at times feeling like I’m drowning in sorrow over my circumstances.  Help me to not fret and worry about what comes against me.  Help me to have a big picture perspective and trust that you know my needs and will meet them according to Your riches and promised provision.  Amen.

Day 2 – Trust and delight

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

                                                    Psalm 34:3-4

So…here we find David, hiding from enemies that were committed to killing him.  He was thirsty and hungry, suffering the disappointment of broken relationship.  He had every reason to question God, but we find in him a great example of life walked in the Spirit.  What does that look like?

1. Trust – to walk in the Spirit is to trust God, even in the direst of circumstances.
2. Do good – to walk in the Spirit is to commit oneself to live upright and do good to others, even when they don’t deserve it.
3. Security – to walk in the Spirit is to be secure in God’s promised provision.  To live in the land is to trust the promises of God and find security in them.
4. Delight in the Lord – The fruit of joy is delight.  The gift of joy only comes through the abiding Holy Spirit within us, even in the unhappiest and most disappointing times.  The enemy cannot steal that.  When our delight is in the Lord, circumstances matter little or not at all, we find renewed strength in God.
5. Contentment – “he will give you the desires of your heart.”  When our desires are aligned with God’s, we are walking in the Spirit.  Yielding to God in all things, seeking Him above all…satisfaction, fulfillment, contentment comes in like a flood.

To the human eye, this kind of walk seems unattainable.  I would encourage you to read again the scriptures that declare us to be a new creation in Christ, that the old has passed away and the new has come.  God’s provision is complete.  It is our application that is lacking.  To walk in the Spirit is not accomplished in our trying, but in our trusting.  Trust in the Lord.

Application:

1. Have you every tried to do something that was beyond your strength?  It would be silly for me to try to lift 500 lbs, for example.  I could never do it, alone.  With enough help, however, the 500 lbs. would move.  The same is true in every area of life.  God has given us a community to help us do the “heavy lifting”.  We are not designed to go it alone.
2. Speaking of going it alone, there are times when we even ignore God’s provision in truth, believing that we just need to be stronger, tougher, more committed…when simply trusting God is the real problem.  If we could solve the problem of sin in our lives, for example, Jesus coming would be unnecessary.  Trusting God’s provision or forgiveness and cleansing is what genuine faith is all about.
3. Trust in the Lord.  Delight in Him.  Keep it simple.

Prayer:

Father, I am all too often distracted by my trying to be what I believe You want me to be, when You desire me to simply trust what You declare me to be in faith.  Help me to decrease my “duty” to You and increase my “delight” in You.  I am blessed to stand forgiven and free, Lord.  Amen.