“Abundant Living Exampled”

 

Passage: Psalm 37

 

“Abundant Living Exampled”

 

Psalm 37:1-2--Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

 

          A. “Fret Not” means that we do not worry!

            We should never be envious of those who do wrong or fear evil men, because we have died to this world and are always alive to God—we transcend this earth (vs. 1)

 

Psalm 37:3--Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 

 

          B. “Trust” in the Lord brings peace of heart!

            We will do good when we trust in the Lord because that shows our attitude toward this sin cursed world has changed.  When we trust we will have that which is so desired by the world—peace of heart.  David explains that for Him it means to dwell in the Promised Land and enjoy safety from all that would seek to destroy that peace (vs. 3).

 

Psalm 37:4-- Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

 

          C. “Delight in the Lord will bring abundance!

            When we let God know that our supreme delight is to be found in Him, He will shower us with those right things that we desire.  This is the “more abundantly” of John 10:10.  God wants to treat us like a kingdom of priests and a royal nation, but we need to “delight” ourselves in the King of that nation (vs. 4)

 

Psalm 37:5-6-- Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.  

 

          D. “Commit” your way keeps you living the abundant life

            Committing our way to the Lord means that you make a definite decision to plant yourself firmly in the plan of God for your life.  The abundance that awaits here is that righteousness will shine from your life and all that you do will be characterized by justice (vv. 5-6)

 

Psalm 37:7--  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

 

          E. “Rest” and “Wait” come when you trust—that is abundant living!

            The world is not at rest, but is like the restless sea waves that slap at each other foolishly.  When the world’s schemes succeed, we do not have to worry.  All we have to do is wait patiently—the victory is won on the Cross, and Christ is delivering us and will continue to deliver! (v. 7)