Psalm 37 is peppered with contrasts between good and evil. Even though it seems that evil people come out ahead most of the time. When it’s all said and done, they won’t. The reason, because God is on the side of good and righteousness. With that in mind Christians, we should all be enjoying the benefits of living a godly life.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24
Jesus said if God be for us, who can be against us? This psalm says the Lord directs the steps of the godly.
My mind goes back to my childhood days. We lived just across the road from a wooded ridge. As kids, we were in those woods all the time. When we ran through the trees we would often need to take extra caution of where we were stepping because of roots, rocks, and snakes.
There are obstacles in our life’s journey in which we must be cautious of. The Psalmist encouraged us that the Lord directs the steps of the godly. Instead of looking down to make sure we don’t trip, we must look to the Lord. He will make sure we don’t get tripped up.
What Are the Benefits of Living a Godly Life?
In verses 3 and 4 it says, Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. He continues in verse 5 with, Trust him, and he will help you.
This chapter also talks about the consequences of being wicked. But in this writing, the emphasis is on the benefits of being godly.
Sometimes we wonder if God is concerned about how others may treat us. But listen to what David said in verse 7, Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. In other words, God has our backs.
He goes on to say, refrain from being angry, turn from your rage, don’t lose your temper, because you’ll only hurt yourself. Then he makes a promise, soon the wicked will disappear.
There has to be a double meaning to that phrase. First, soon they will disappear from your situation. Then, soon when we are called to go into eternity with the lord, the wicked will be nowhere to be found.
If you are materially driven you might not like or even consider this next phrase a benefit. It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. But the Lord takes care of the godly.
It’s not saying you can’t be godly and be well-off financially. But sometimes wealth has a way of turning people away from depending on the Lord. Instead, they are more apt to rely on their own means.
Benefits of Living Day By Day in the Lord
The Psalmist goes on to say, Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
The bottom line here is, The Lord directs the steps of the godly, and He enjoys doing it. The rest of that verse says He delights in every detail of their lives.
Years ago there was an advertisement for a child’s toy called Weebles. These were characters that instead of having legs they had weighted egg-shelled-shaped bottoms. You could try to push them over, but they would stand right back up. Their little jingle was, Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.
Sometimes in life, we may wobble or we may stumble. God though, is there to make sure that we never fall down. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
That sounds like one of the best benefits we have of living a godly life. So, turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly.
He will keep them safe forever. He gives the godly hope and honor and He will rescue them in times of trouble. The very last thing that David says in this Psalm is, He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
Lord help us to stay focused on you as we walk through this life enjoying the benefits of living a life that is godly.
Read the entire Psalm 37.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives
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