Psalm 37:1-9.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Despite all the blessings that came through Christ, why do we continue to worry? We know, in our minds, that Jesus has already finished the work on the cross. We confess that He has saved us, redeemed us, and given us eternal life. Yet, in our daily lives, we often find ourselves anxious, restless, and overwhelmed by circumstances. Why is that?
It is because we tend to focus more on what is visible than on what is eternal. We fix our eyes on our immediate reality rather than on Jesus, “the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith” (Hebrews 12:2). When we look at our situations instead of focusing on Him, we allow fear, doubt, and frustration to take root in our hearts.
The things we see can deceive us. We are often influenced by the temporary successes and failures of this world rather than being anchored in the unchanging promises of God revealed in His Word. When we pray and don’t see immediate answers, impatience grows. We start questioning whether God is really listening, whether He really cares, or whether He has forgotten us. In those moments, our hearts drift from trust to worry, and we lose sight of His faithfulness.
Sometimes we allow the enemy to whisper lies into our thoughts. The devil plants seeds of unbelief, trying to convince us that God’s Word is irrelevant, unreliable, or that His timing cannot be trusted. He makes us compare ourselves with others, causing envy and resentment to grow. When we encounter people who seem to prosper despite wrongdoing, we feel discouraged and even tempted to follow their ways. But today’s Word reminds us that what we see is not the final reality.
We are the people of the kingdom of God. He wants us to see life from His perspective. Do not let others’ success or failure stir anger, jealousy, or bitterness within you. Acknowledge God’s sovereignty over every person and every situation. He knows the plans He has for you, and He knows exactly what He is doing. Even when the wicked seem to flourish, Scripture assures us that their success is temporary (Psalm 37:2). God’s justice will prevail in His perfect time.
So what should we do while we wait? We anchor ourselves in the gospel and enjoy its power through prayer. Resist the temptation to imitate the ways of those who live apart from God (Psalm 37:7). Do not allow anger to control your thoughts, because anger clouds your judgment and steals your peace. Scripture warns us that when we dwell on resentment, we give the devil a foothold in our hearts (Ephesians 4:27). Instead of reacting in frustration, let us respond in faith in the Word of God.
Continue to trust in God and do good—enjoying and sharing the gospel—even when circumstances seem uncertain. Our Father cannot lie; every promise He has spoken over your life will surely come to pass. When you delight yourself in Him, He aligns your heart with His will and gives you the desires that truly satisfy (Psalm 37:4). Trust Him completely and stop worrying about your future, because He holds it in His hands and will take you to the ends of the earth as a witness of Christ (Acts 1:8).
The One you trust is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He never changes, and His faithfulness never fails. If you keep your eyes fixed on Him, He will guide you step by step along the right paths. There will come a day when God will make your righteousness shine like the morning sun, and everyone will see that you are blessed—not because of your strength, but because of His goodness and grace.
That is why we are called to live in His presence and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7). Do not be discouraged when sharing the gospel, even in places where Christ is not yet known. God has already gone before you and dispatched His heavenly armies to protect you. He will give you the strength to stand firm, the wisdom to speak His Word, and the courage to remain faithful. You do not fight your battles alone—the Lord Himself fights for you. Victory is already secured through Christ.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the abundant grace You have poured out on me through Your Son, Jesus. Open my eyes to see my reality from Your perspective. Teach me to be still in Your presence, to wait patiently for You, and to trust that Your plans for me are the best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.