January 10, 2019 – Psalm 37:35-36

I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone. Though I searched for them, I could not find them! Psalm 37:35-36.

These verses draw a picture of two ways of living.  One is in peace, and the other is living in wickedness and evil.   There is no middle road.  It is either or.  Verse 34 describes living in peace – Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along His path.   

Hope in the Lord is when everything around you crashes, yet you know with heart and soul knowledge God is, and Jesus Lives. It is like looking for stars on a cloudy day, and having faith the stars are shining brightly above the storm.

Desiring peace means living ‘peacefully’ when presented with divisive and hurtful behaviors and words.   We can be drawn into a battle when we allow angry people to enlist our aid.  How should we react to anger and divisive behavior?  Smile, and pray for them, and with them.  The person steeped in anger and wanting to ‘get even’ cannot stand alone.

 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27. (The words of Jesus!)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how to look for peace.  The next verse includes, Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise!  

Look at those who are honest and good,  for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. Psalm 37:37