March 18, 2019: SOAP #3392:  Joshua 1-2; Psalm 37; 1Corinthians 3

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 37:1 Of David. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Observation:    Verse 1-2   My mind has an important part in my walk with the Lord!  I am not a mind walking around, under the control of my thoughts.  I am a person with a mind.  My mind is to be under the control of my will.  I am not to let my thoughts get “agitated” or to “bother my head” over the wicked people or their actions.  I should not waste mental energy with concern for the wicked.

Verse 3-5   Instead, I am to set my thoughts on the Lord and how trustworthy He is.  I am to delight myself in the Lord.  I should apply my mental energy considering the greatness and goodness of God.  I should focus my thoughts on how I can best bring Him joy.

Application:  The more I know about God; especially the more I know God, I have fewer reasons to be concerned about what man can do to me.  It is greatly to my benefit to become familiar with God’s character.  God is bigger than…!  I can choose to focus my thoughts on God!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you alone are God!  You rule supreme.  Out of your desire to be loved, you created man and give him time on this earth to love you by making choices that honor you.   But a day is coming when your greatness will be evident to all creation.  So, there is no need for me to fret now. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!