Living In The Real World

Some Thoughts From Psalm 37

Sometimes we may wish for a life with less stress, and more joy. Or from deep down within us, when the pressures of life are weighing heavily upon us, we may cry to the Lord, “Why?” Indeed, living in the real world can be a challenge at times. But no matter how difficult the burdens that come our way, God’s care and concern for us remains unchanged. When God’s people walk in His way, they are assured of victory in the real world.

Living in the real world demands that we place our total trust in the Lord. Notice the exhortation of verse 5, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." In describing the foundation of the person whose trust is in the Lord, David said, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way” (vs. 23). In His infinite wisdom, the Lord provides us with a way in which we can place our confidence. The Psalmist goes on to say, “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (vs. 24). Resisting the temptation to make our way through life by ourselves, actually gives power to our lives. As we are assured in verses 39, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, He is their strength in the time of trouble.”

While we will never be able to control other people or the circumstances we encounter, the Lord provides us with an anchor to help us endure the storms of life. The assurance of the Lord’s help to those who are His can never be doubted. As David declared, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (vs. 25). Indeed, those who trust in the Lord always have an advantage when facing challenges. As the Psalmist said of the righteous, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (vs. 31).

Trying to ignore the difficulties is not the answer for living in the real world. But instead of allowing ourselves to be overcome by these things, we need to steadfastly look to the Lord. By placing our trust in Him, we are promised a victorious life.