Wait and See:: Finding Peace in God's Pauses and Plans by Pope Wendy

Author:Pope, Wendy [Pope, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: David C Cook
Published: 2016-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Digging Deeper with David: Psalm 37

Read Psalm 37.

Young David moved unexpectedly from the pasture to the battlefield (1 Sam. 17). His confidence to take on a giant is inspiring to this not-so-young woman. It’s obvious at this point he was not experiencing any internal struggles.

Scripture did not record a conversation between God and David concerning Goliath. We never read, “God, do You want me to take care of this giant who keeps harassing Your people?” We witness externally David’s internal relationship with God. He was so well acquainted with God that when the time came to act, he did.

This is the kind of relationship I want to have with God. This is the kind of relationship I want for you to have with God. By examining and applying David’s relationship-building secrets, I am confident we can slay any giant we face.

Relationship-Building Secrets

David’s secrets have the potential to radically revolutionize our relationship with the Lord. In fact, I feel quite certain the effect of these secrets will spill out of us and onto others, improving all of our relationships. When our vertical relationship is strong, we are less likely to come unglued when experiencing trials and troubles in our horizontal relationships. What David teaches goes beyond pleasing God; he says we can delight God. Can you just imagine ?

Secret #1: Don’t Fret

David’s first secret is a warning. This warning is so important that he repeated “don’t fret” twice in eight verses.

The first secret is a threat to all the other secrets. Fret is the Hebrew word charah . David warns us not to be burned with anger, worry, and jealousy when evil seems to be overcoming good. We should be concerned with such behaviors but not consumed to the point we become distracted from pleasing God.

Our response to the evil and wrongdoing around us is found in Micah 6:8. Write out God’s instructions for us in the space below.

Fretting is a “delight bandit.” Just when we are enjoying a little happiness, it sneaks up and pickpockets our delight. David warned about its hazards after the second “do not fret” warning.

Read Psalm 37:8.

What happens when we continue to burn with anger, worry, and jealousy?

Fretting replaces the peace that accompanies our delighting in God, thus keeping God from delighting in us. Fretting makes the wait longer. David suggests if we don’t control fretting, it is possible to behave like the very people we are fretting over.

Read Philippians 4:6–7.

How does God want us to handle our anxious thoughts?

What is the result of obeying verse 6?

Secret #2: Trust

Trust of God grows through experience with God. Through our experiences of trusting God, life becomes lighter and almost tender at times. Troubles don’t disappear, but the new measure of faith diminishes their intensity. A bonus of trusting God is delight: our delight in Him and His delight in us. We begin to long for what He longs for and love what He loves. Sounds like the kind of life that would make waiting a little easier.

Read Proverbs 3:5.

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