Intro: Psalm 37 contains a reference to three particular men. In v.16 we find “a righteous man,” in v.23 we find “a good man,” and in v.37 we find “the perfect man.” If we were to apply this from a NT viewpoint, we might say that the “righteous man” (v.16) is a man that has been saved and has the righteousness of Christ. The “good man” (v.23) is not only a man who is saved, but a man who allows the Lord to lead and direct him through life. The “perfect man” (v.37), is a man who not only has the righteousness of God, not only does he allow the Lord to lead him and guide him, but he has reached a level of maturity in the Christian life so that things that might offend the righteous man and the good man will not even phase his fellowship with the Lord. The perfect man is unmovable. Our main focus today will be that of the “good man,” but remember that this man is still growing and has not reached spiritual maturity.
I. THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN (Psa. 37:23a)
A. Ordered by the Lord – From His Word (Psa. 119:133)
B. Ordered by the Lord – In God’s Direction (Prov. 16:9)
C. Protected From Slipping (Psa. 37:30-31)
D. Cannot Be Designed by Man (Jer. 10:23)
E. In Danger When His Eyes Go Astray (Psa. 73:2-3)
F. Under Attack from His Enemies (Psa. 25:19)
II. THE DELIGHT OF A GOOD MAN (Psa. 37:23b)
A. He Delights in God’s Way (v.23b)
B. He Delights in God’s Will (Psa. 40:8)
B. He Delights in the Law of the Lord (Psa. 1:2)
III. THE FALL OF A GOOD MAN (Psa. 37:24)
A. A Possibility – “Though he fall…” (v.24a)
• Adam fell when he partook of the fruit.
• Noah fell when he got drunk after the flood.
• Abraham fell when listened to Sarah on the matter of Hagar.
• Lot fell when he went to Sodom.
• Moses fell when he smote the rock instead of speaking to it.
• Aaron fell when he made a golden calf for Israel to worship.
• David fell when he sinned with Bathsheba (murdered Uriah).
• Solomon fell because he gave his heart to foreign women.
• Elijah fell when he ran from Jezebel because of fear.
• Peter fell when he denied the Lord three times.
• The disciples fell when they feared and hid after Christ’s died.
B. Not Permanent – “…he shall not be utterly cast down” (v.24b; Prov. 24:16)
C. The Lord Delivers – “For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand…” (v.24c)
Conclusion: Are your steps being ordered by the Lord? Do you delight in the will and way of the Lord for your life? Have you fallen? Have you risen back up to get back in the fight? Where does that place you?
