The Resolutions of the Righteous
Psalm 37:1-8,23-28
INTRODUCTION: This is the time of year when many of us consider “Resolutions” or commitments for the New Year. We can mock this noble practice because of past failures, but few will “hit” the target without aiming. (Pr 18:1) Without some commitments and Resolutions, you will be the same person by this time next year as you are now!
Life is a series of Trades or Redemptions. {Phil. 3:7} Here are some Terrific Trades:
1) TRADE FEAR FOR FAITH Vs 1-3
A. FEAR AND ANXIETY OFTEN COMES FROM:
1) COMPARISON. (Psa 73:1-3) "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Fear we don’t “Measure Up!”
2) CONFUSION. “What is going on here” (Psa 73:4-5) "For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men."
B. FAITH IS THE ANTICDOTE FOR FEAR! It produces Confidence And Security:
1) The word Trust {baw-takh'} means to hide for refuge, to be confident and secure.
2) The source of this confidence is the LORD. (Psa 118:8) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
NOTE: This is the middle verse in the entire Bible!
Too many of us have too much “faith” in ourselves, and too ‘little’ in the LORD!
“What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day. For each of us the time is coming when we shall have nothing but God. Health and wealth and friends and hiding places will be swept away, and we shall have only God. To the man of pseudo faith that is a terrifying thought, but to real faith it is one of the most comforting thoughts the heart can entertain.” A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)
2. TRADE DUTY FOR DELIGHT! ( COMPLAINING FOR COMMITMENT)
“Delight thyself …in the LORD, Commit thy way unto the LORD.” Vs 4,5
A. LOVE IS THE GREATEST MOTIVATOR IN LIFE.
1) The word Delight: {aw-nag'} Means to be soft or pliable.
a) A wife with her husband; a baby with her parents; Clay with the potter.
(Isa 45:9) "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! …Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?"
(Isa 64:8) "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter;."
1) When God’s people stopped loving God, they eventually became “stiff-necked”
Stiff clay breaks instead of yielding.
B. LOVE IS THE GREAT SWEETNER OF LIFE. (1 Pet 4:8) "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
1) Flaws and faults are smoothed through the eyes of love.
2) That’s why God accepts us. We are “Accepted in the beloved” Eph. 1:6
C. LOVE IS THE GREAT KEY TO LASTING COMMITMENT:
a) A Complaining attitude is one indication that love is low!
(Rev 2:4) "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
D. LOVE FOR GOD LEADS TO COMMITMENT TO GOD’S WAYS.
1) We naturally want our own ways. (We know what is best!)
2) Commitment involves yielding our ways and wants to God.
3) The word Commit means to roll together, wallow, and trust.
When we love God and Commit to Him and His ways, we literally “roll” or enfold our lives into His plan.
3. TRADE WRATH FOR REST Vs. 7,8
“Rest in the LORD,… Forsake wrath.” “Don’t Wrestle, just Nestle” Corrie Ten Boom
A. ANGER AND WRATH ARE INDICATIONS OF PRIDE.
(Pr 13:10) "Only by pride cometh contention: “
1) Lack of Forgiveness.
2) Failure to Yield rights and expectations to God.
B. GOD OFTEN ALLOWS ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES TO COME INTO OUR LIVES TO “TEST US” .
1) Will we continue to trust him? (Job 13:15) "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
2) Will we lapse into our own logic and reasoning?
(Prov 23:4) "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
3) Will we get angry and “get even!”? “Cease from anger” vs 8
C. WHEN WE LET GO OF OUR WRATH, WE CAN TAKE HOLD OF GOD’S REST.
1) The word Rest means to stop; hold your peace, quiet self, be silent, stand still, tarry, wait
2) The word Cease means to slacken off, or let alone.
God wants us to let go of our anger (and the pride that fuels it) and wait for God to teach us what He has for us to learn.
Conclusion:
1) What Fears from the past haunt you?
Trade them for Faith in the God who holds the future. (Heb. 13:5,6)
2) What “Duties” await you?
Transform them into Delight because of your love for the Lord.
(Col. 3: 23,24)
3) What or who has you “stirred up”?
Let go of your anger, forgive, rest in the Lord, and let God “Straiten you up!”
