Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This famous passage expresses an important truth, but it seems so much like an aphorism (proverb) that the Japanese translation throws in a bit of unnecessarily archaic language. The problem with that is that we tend to learn aphorisms but not practice them, and that is unfortunate. Simply saying, “Trust in the Lord and do good,” covers most of life! We have trouble with both halves of that. We struggle to trust, despite the mountain of evidence that God is totally trustworthy, and as far as doing good goes, our sins of omission and commission would fill several books! However, we have the Bible to give us an understanding of what is good, and the Holy Spirit to guide us in specifics, so if that is our heart, then God makes it possible. The next part is very interesting, as the Japanese expresses it: “Dwell in the land and develop/maintain integrity.” Integrity doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with a decision, a commitment, but it is realized in practice. Integrity is always tested. With this as a foundation, David says the part that is quoted most: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” People want God to be like Santa Claus, answering their every whim, so they quote this verse without ever considering what it is to make the Lord your joy, your delight. If God is our joy, then we will be trusting Him and doing good, developing and maintaining integrity as we seek to be obedient to Him. When we do that, our desires will line up with His, and fulfilling those desires will be the most natural thing ever.

This is something I’ve known intellectually for a long time, but working it out in my daily life has been a long and bumpy road. I guess I’m “developing integrity!” As a pastor, I seek to nurture this in the believers, but I need to extend to them the grace and patience that have been shown to me. I had some good examples, but I have had few mentors, so I need to learn how to mentor others. “Admonish” is the part of Colossians 3:16 that gives me the most trouble. I don’t feel I’m good at correcting people properly, so I draw back from it. I need to trust God to do it right through me, and love God and love people enough to take the risk of a bad reaction when I express God’s truth to them. The desire of my heart is indeed that the Name of Christ be hallowed, that His kingdom come as His will is done, and I know that I can have great assurance as I ask for that.

Father, thank You for Your amazing grace in not leaving me as I am, but continually drawing me toward You, transforming me into the likeness of Your Son. Help me cooperate fully with that, without a trace of pride but with deep gratitude and joy, so that You may delight in me as I delight in You. Thank You. Hallelujah!