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| Psalm
37.3 (NIV) Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. |
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| True faith is actively obedient.* |
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Writers
are encouraged to “write what you know.” David certainly followed that little
bit of advice. His past as a shepherd, a
warrior, and a king is reflected in his work as a poet. Safe pasture was
important in his job as a shepherd, and providing safety for his people was his
concern as a soldier and a ruler.
In
the first part of this verse, David tells us what is required of us – to trust
and to do good. In the second part of the verse, he reveals the promise – not
to those who trust or to those who do
good, but to those who do both. As we are told in James 2.17 and 18, “Faith by
itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. . . . Show me your faith
without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” Trust without action
is merely wishful thinking; action without trust is just busyness.
“Trust
in the Lord and do good” is a prescription for holy living. “Dwell in the land
and enjoy safe pasture” is a recipe for happy living.* This is not a magic formula
but words to live by and to give us hope.
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| Sad is the life full of activity but devoid of purpose. Just as faith without works is dead, work without faith is lifeless and vain.* |
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