Trust in the Lord

Over the past few days, the Psalm has been very comforting considering the financial decisions our state government has made. I'm still surprised that they passed the budget that they did when so many of us are out of work. The new budget is to raise our taxes and double our car registration fees. What I don't understand is why we are paying for their mistakes? I know most people are discouraged by all the bailouts for all the greedy people and yet we who are just trying to make ends meet have no one to bail us out. That may be true, but God is bigger than government and he owns the cattle on a thousand hills and can do miracles, under one condition, that we trust in Him.

The past few days Psalm 37 is so comforting. It's familiar verses of 3 and 4 says, "Trust in the Lord and do good; 4Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." But I believe the rest of the chapter is very important for the days we are living. The rest of the verse goes on to read, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7Be 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. 8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil. 9For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11But meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace."

Yesterday, when the news broke on the new budget for California, my first reaction was fear. How can people who are trying so hard to stay afloat in the midst of this economic crisis survive? Yes, it means that we cut back in areas that are unnecessary, but as I continued to read Psalm 37 it gave me great hope and promise. Verses 14-19 says this, "The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty." If that doesn't give us hope, then nothing will.

Then skipping down to verse 25 it says "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread." Amen! I believe this chapter is like a life preserver in the midst of the unknown. I believe we are going to see our needs met in ways we would never expect. We can't even put an expectation on God because only He knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I do believe we have to do our part. We can't live like "the world" which means conforming to it. This is, living beyond our means. Trying to keep up a standard of living that does not leave us any margin in our personal finances. On the other hand, there are many who are doing all they can to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and a car to get to work. These are the people I believe God is going to uphold with His righteous right hand. But our part is committing everything we do, and I mean everything, to Him. Trusting Him for everything, again everything to Him and we will inherit the land and see the wicked cut off. This means for those of us who are followers of Jesus are to be obedient to the Word of God. I can't stress enough how important it is to be in the Bible everyday, not just reading, but meditating on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). His promise is that we would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:9).

If you are feeling the spirit of fear come upon you in this time of famine, I want to encourage you to go and read Psalm 37 for yourself. Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you and ease your anxiety. If you are being obedient to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind,being thankful for what you do have, loving your neighbor as yourself, reading His Word so you can trust in Him personally, and bringing your first fruits into the storehouse, giving to the poor, widows and orphans, then I believe you are considered the "righteous ones" that the scripture is talking about. The chapter concludes with verse 40, "The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him."