#DailyDevotion Promises To Live By For The Faithful
Psalm 37 25I was young and now I’m old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26He is always generous and lends money, and his children will be blessed.
Such is the wisdom of Proverbs that is repeated here. David must have written this down in his old age. In his experience, he has not seen those who trust in the LORD for every good thing forsaken or his children begging for bread. On the contrary, the righteous are generous and lend money to those who ask it of them. We probably should note here what the righteous do or maybe who are the righteous. The righteous are those who believe in all of the LORD’s promises. Believing is more than mere lip service. Faith is a living, active thing in the believer. His life will mirror what he believes. If the LORD promises to bless those who give to the poor and lend freely to those in need, then that is what they are going to do. These promises are for you as much as they are for ancient Israel. Giving to the poor and lending to those in need Jesus promises rewards in heaven. But I have seen Him take care of those who live this way. They may not be 6 figure rich, but they always have enough for today and enough to share with others. It is not a bad way to live. On top of this, those who live this way have the promise their children will be blessed. Who wouldn’t want that.
Unfortunately, the devil is always in our ear telling us we need to keep what we have for ourselves. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? He’ll tell you that the person you help out will only use what you give him for ill. He’ll waste and squander it. I tell you, that is not your responsibility. That is theirs. Your responsibility, no, your faith gives to the poor. God has given to you more than you need for today. You don’t deserve it. You might squander what the LORD gave to you but He gave it to you anyway. If you don’t share what the LORD gives to you, I tell you, you are squandering it for a future that will never happen.
27Shun evil and do good and live in the land forever.
Now this refers directly to the curses and blessings the LORD gave to the Israelites before they entered into the Promised Land. If they did all they were commanded by laws, statutes, etc., the LORD would bless them and they would do well in the land. How much more will we, who are to inherit the Kingdom of God, do this all the more and possess that land for all eternity.
28The LORD loves what is right and will not desert those devoted to Him. They will be preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut down. 29The righteous will own the land and live there forever.
Here we continue with the promise of blessing the LORD made to the Israelites. Yet, we who trust in the LORD’s promise to preserve those who put their trust in Jesus receive it and trust it as well. We who have faith in the LORD Jesus Christ are the righteous who will own the Kingdom of God and live there forever. Since this is so, what sort of lives should we live now in this temporary existence? Should it not be lived out in devotion to our LORD Jesus Christ which then extends to our neighbor and our fellow Christians? May the promises of the LORD here so move our hearts to greater love and devotion for all three.
Heavenly Father, You have made so many great and wonderful promises to us. Grant us faith to believe them and to live out our lives trusting in them now and forever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.