Closer Day 12 | Psalm 37:30-40
Read: Psalm 37:30-40
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Reflect:
We can confidently stand firm and trust in the Lord as He has promised a future for those who trust in Him. Charles Spurgeon instructed that we should “Wait in obedience as a servant, in hope as an heir, in expectation as a believer.” And as we wait, we should hold onto hope despite the seeming successes of the wicked. There is no future for the wicked and ruthless ones.
In David’s final words of Psalm 37, he notes that the righteous are also marked by the wisdom and justice reflected by the words they speak. We have the word of God in the pages of our Bibles, ready and accessible to all who open themselves to it. When we possess the word of God in our hearts, we have a firm foundation; our steps shall not falter. While the wicked seek to destroy the righteous and even seem to flourish, it is only temporary, as the Lord protects and provides, and the wicked will pass away. Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can stand firm in the face of adversity, speaking words of wisdom and justice.
The Lord saves, and help comes from the Lord as we continue on in our daily work, helping us bear burdens, face troubles, and do good. May we flee from evil and pursue good, repenting of sin and trusting in the amazing mercy of God through Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
God, thank you for Jesus Christ, who ultimately saves. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who guides me in paths of truth, justice, and righteousness. Thank you Father, for Your care, protection, and love. Thank you for giving me a future and a peace. May I fix my eyes on You.
This devotional is part of our Closer: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our hope is that this will assist you in focusing your heart each day. To learn more or to get caught up, click here.