Be Thou Our Guide

Psalm 37

Many people have wondered at some point in their life, why the ungodly people in the world seem to frequently prosper, while the godly folk have to painfully struggle throughout life.  It doesn’t seem fair. We do what’s right, and life is difficult for us, while the wicked turn their back on God and things go their way. This is a question that King David, the author of our Psalm today, also asked.  Let’s look at what God taught him in our Scripture passage today.

As we look at the ungodly people around us, we may see that they are prospering.  They have all they could want, and seemingly few problems. God tells us, though, not to be envious of them (vs. 1). Don’t envy them, despite their popularity or riches. What they have won’t last for eternity, and often does not even last them through this life (vs. 2).  A believer’s treasures should be stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). God wants us to trust in Him, to do good, and cultivate faithfulness (vs. 3). He will deal with the ungodly.  Our responsibility is to watch our own actions.

In verse 4 we read how David says a believer should “delight” themselves in the Lord.  Delighting in someone is to take pleasure in their presence. We want to know them well.  When we delight in God, we will trust Him and commit our life to Him. To “commit” to the Lord is to entrust everything to His control, and to trust Him (vs. 5).  God can care for us better than we can ourselves. As we seek His desires, our own desires will fall into place. God’s desires become our desires. As we wait patiently for Him, He will work out what’s best for us (vs. 7).

One thing that happens when we look at others, and are envious at their riches and supposed ease in life, is we become angry and fret or worry (vs. 7-8). Anger and worry reveal a lack of trust and faith that God loves us, and that He is in control. When we dwell on our problems we become anxious and angry. Instead, David instructs us to concentrate on God and His goodness, and we will have peace.  If we wait patiently, He will intervene on behalf of His people. We need to keep a humble attitude, with calm faith and humility before God, hoping in His deliverance (vs. 11).

As David continues in his psalm, he tells us of some of the blessings that the godly will receive from the Lord.  God delights in the one who trusts in Him, and who seeks to do His will (vs. 23-24). He promises to watch over every step that the godly take, directing their ways.  This isn’t something that He has promised to the ungodly or the wicked, so why do we envy them? God will provide for His own people as long as they are seeking to obey and trust Him (vs. 25). Our task is to follow God each day, and to leave the future and it’s problems to Him.

The tune for the great clock in the tower at Westminster Palace, also known as Big Ben, actually has words, which are displayed in the clock room.  They read: “Lord, through this hour, be Thou our guide; So by Thy power, no foot shall slide”. This is in reference to verse 24 of our psalm.

Throughout his psalm, David urges us to have patience, as God’s timing is not our timing.  The ungodly may be prospering now, they may seem to have the upper hand now, but that is not going to be their case in the end.  We need to wait patiently for God to act in our situation. As we submit to His timing, God will honor us.  Trust God’s flawless timing. His timing is perfect.

We need to keep God’s Word in our heart.  When the devil comes to attack us, it is then too late to start opening our Bible (vs. 31).  David urges us to focus our steps on God’s path. That will lead us into the right direction. Keep on His purposeful path.  When our strength has failed, go to God, and find His (vs. 39).  He will not fail us!