Delightful

Read Psalms 37:1–41:13

1. Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
2. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
6. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
7. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
8. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.
9. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Psalm 37:1-9

Sometimes it seems as if wicked people enjoy the most fulfilling lives. They live in luxury, get what they want, and commit awful deeds to maintain their lifestyle. It’s very difficult not to look at these people and feel envious. Have you envied people who have little or no concern for God?

Psalm 37 lists a whole host of cures for envy. Focus your attention on verses 3 through 6, the cures that head up the list. Also keep a look out for other cures in this psalm—they’re delightful!

As you read these psalms, note also the outcome of confessing sin (Psalm 38); the benefits of waiting for God’s timing (Psalm 40); and how to pray when you feel sick or abandoned (Psalm 41).

Taking delight in the Lord is the cure for envy. David urged us to do this and to commit to him everything we have and do (Psalm 37:3-6). But how does a person “take delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4)? To delight means to enjoy, so to take delight in God means to enjoy his presence, his company, and his will. Our goal should be to enjoy God, to want what God wants, to seek his presence, to enjoy his company.

Review any goals you have for your life. Do they match what God wants for you? Make it your goal to take delight in God today. Change your desires and goals to match his.