I don't know about you. But especially at times when the world seems a bit broken, I value the promises from God Word that remind me: It will all be put right in the end! And if you're looking for a collection of those promises, you can't do a whole lot better than today's word from Psalm 37.

 

"Don’t worry about the wicked

     or envy those who do wrong," God's poet says.

"For like grass, they soon fade away...

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." (37:1-4, NLT)

 

Of course, with a beginning like that, it's no surprise that the rest of the psalm is filled with similar promises. "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath...For those who are evil will be destroyed." (vs. 8-9) "A little while, and the wicked will be no more...But the meek will inherit the land." (vs. 10-11) "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." (vs. 23-24)

 

But here's my struggle. Although I believe those promises, I can't help but acknowledge that it's not always easy to look at the world and see any evidence that these promises are coming true. And that's why I'm drawn to a particular line from this psalm that comes from The Message version of the Bible: 

 

"Keep your eye on the healthy soul,

     scrutinize the straight life.

There’s a future in strenuous wholeness." (v. 37)

 

You see, becoming the kind of people who are ready to receive God's promises...takes some work! We need to stay focused on understanding and embracing the life He's called us to live. But if we can develop that "strenuous wholeness," we can be confident that the One who calls us to wholeness will be faithful.

 

So, let's strive for God's wholeness today. And let's watch in anticipation for all His promises to come true. Amen.