Hello friends,
We are set to enjoy another week of warm temperatures. I see nineties ahead for several days, but cooler later in the week. Maybe the tropical storms in the gulf will send some moisture our way. There are no camping adventures to report this week, although my summer cold of last week has taken up residence with my dear wife. She handles these things much better than I.
I love the Psalms, because when a person is overwhelmed with the world, and who isn’t these days, there is encouragement to be found there. The first eight verses of Psalm 37 would be applicable in our time. This passage was the basis for my message this morning.
1 “Do not fret because of evil men 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 Delight yourself 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 righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil.
There are seven words to encourage us in a time when it seems evil is winning. They are these:
Verse 3, Trust: Defined as reliance on the integrity, strength or ability of a person, God in this case.
Verse 4, Delight: To have great pleasure or joy in a thing; in this case God.
Verse 5, Commit: To give in trust for safekeeping, to commit one’s soul to God.
Verse 7, Rest (Be still): Relief or freedom from anything that wearies, troubles or disturbs.
Verse 8, Refrain (Cease): Put a stop to, discontinue. Don’t be angry.
Forsake (Turn from): To give up or renounce a habit or way of life.
Fret not: Stop fretting over what is in God’s control. Place your trust in the Lord and chill!
Be encouraged. God is still on his throne.
In Him,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 