Seek Ye First…

by KrisAnne Hall

My study verse today is from one of my most favorite chapters in the Bible:

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 37:4

I love Psalm 37 because it appeals to my logical, linear, and dot connecting method of assimilating information. Check it out:

FRET NOT thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 TRUST IN THE LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 DELIGHT thyself also IN THE LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 COMMIT thy way UNTO THE LORD; TRUST also IN HIM; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 REST IN THE LORD, and WAIT patiently for him: FRET NOT thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 CEASE FROM ANGER, and FORSAKE WRATH: FRET NOT thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

The great understanding of this passage is really summed up in Matthew 6:33:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God is very clear on how the progression of our mind and thoughts dictates how we are able to walk and trust in the Lord.  Philippians chapter 4 tells us more on this truth;

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8

Worry is a sin because it operates outside of faith and proves our lack of trust. Delighting in anything but the Lord’s direction means you are not seeking him but the ways of the world…idolatry.  The anger spoken of in this passage is the anger that results from envy and pride. Don’t be angry because of something someone else has, or some evil done against you. Vengeance is mine, says God and when we do what is God’s to do, well, that is evil.

This passage has always been a great source of comfort because God is telling us he is faithful to his promises. I hope this will be a comfort to you as well.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28