"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." Psalms 37:3
In the 37th Psalm, David reveals the heritage of the righteous. There are specific blessings we receive that follow our obedience to God's Word.
In the third verse, four specific decrees are listed to encourage and release blessings into our lives as believers. Let's take a deeper look at these powerful life principles.
The first is to trust in the Lord. As believers, we can put our full trust in an unfailing Father. We can trust His character. We can trust His Word and His unwavering promises. We can trust His guidance even when the circumstances of our lives may seem difficult at the moment. We are not called to trust in man, governments, or world systems. There is a blessing released when we put our trust solely in the Lord.
The second decree is for us to do good. We are called to live in a way that reflects godly character. We do good by living lives of integrity in obedience to God's Word. We are to do good by serving in His House, doing acts of kindness, and showing His Love to those around us. We are called to do good according to biblical standards, regardless of what society does to blur the lines of morality. There is a great blessing released when we choose to do good, maintain integrity, and resist evil.
The third directive is to dwell in the land. We are called to inhabit, abide, and rest in the place where God has planted us. We are called to be fruitful and multiply in the land. We have dominion and the ability to dwell safely in His peace and provision. Despite the noise or chaos of our external world, we have an invitation to make the Lord our dwelling place. We have this blessing in Christ: the ability to dwell in His Presence, a place of peace, provision, and promise.
The fourth key principle is to feed on His faithfulness. We are to find our nourishment and strength by feeding on the Lord. We have the choice to feed on fear or to feed on faith. To feed on His faithfulness means to recall all the good things He has already done for us. We must choose to feed on His Word rather than relying on news outlets, doctors' reports, financial markets, or even our own feelings. When we know He is our source, we are not moved by any contrary opinion. When our confidence becomes rooted in His faithfulness, we have a continual feast, and our souls are nourished and deeply satisfied in Him.
Be encouraged that no matter what you are facing today, the same God who delivered you before will do it again! He is the One who shuts the mouths of lions. He is the One who parts the seas. He is the fourth man in the fire, and He is with you today. Feed on His faithfulness and find freedom in knowing He has everything you need!
