Temple Baptist Church - 10-12-2025
Psalm 37:1-8
Introduction: A Psalm of David, a man who understood such times as these.
A. I want to pull a text out of context to give a little insight into the days in which we live. Mental institutions are full, multitudes are on medication for mental issues, suicide is at an all-time high, and fear is on every side. In Luke chapter 21, our Lord spoke of the signs of the Second Advent. He also said that the days of Noah and Lot would come to our time frame. Noah, an almost total turning away from righteousness, and Lot, the permeation of Sodomy.
Luke 21:24-28 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
B. Two of our grandsons came for a visit and wanted to walk down to the lake.
1. There is a gate across the road and a sign that says trespassers will be prosecuted. The sign was to keep people from blocking everyone’s driveway when the Crappie were bedding. The lake access is off-limits to fishing or swimming.
2. They both came running back home and told us that trespassers would be persecuted! We got a good laugh out of their misreading of the sign. I said all that to say this: as poor old humans, we also make more out of the dangers of our time than we should. “Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!”
C. In today's chaotic world, God's people need peace of mind more than ever, which in turn brings peace to the heart. King David, a man of war and worship, offers a valuable recipe for achieving peace of mind and heart in Psalm 37.
D. I will focus on the first eight verses tonight, aiming to provide our people with much-needed guidance as we navigate and thrive in this upside-down world.
E. Don’t we love good recipes? Here is the recipe God gave for peace of mind and heart in our day.
1. Verses 1-2.
a. Fret not! Fret: to be constantly or visibly worried about something, consumed to some degree with fear of either things known or the unknown.
1) Quit worrying about the unknown. “It is what it is,” or “It will be what it will be.” What are you fretting about tonight? To fear or excessively worry about.
a) I am not super spiritual, but I refuse to worry about that which cannot be known or changed. Only God knows what lies tomorrow, so do not worry about it.
b) I often say that worry is like paying interest on a loan that you may not ever have to take out. As far as the evil of tomorrow, evil doers will be just that, evil doers!
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
2) Quit worrying about what you can change! If you can change it, change it!
b. Envy not! Quit looking at what the wicked have. They are in debt over their heads. Get your bills paid down and quit going into debt! Credit is too easy to get today, and many young marriages won't survive excessive debt! I want to be able to buy a cheeseburger on what used to be the Dollar Menu!
c. The end of the wicked is always the same: destruction. Don’t climb into the boat with them.
2. Verse 3. Trust in the Lord and do good!
a. Proverbs 3:5-6 is so often quoted but rarely put to use. If God is good and He is, if God can do all things and He can, if God holds all our tomorrows and He does, then trust Him! Simple enough? Paul said, “For I have learned!”
b. Do good! A clear conscience still makes for a soft pillow. God will give us good things for good deeds. I know that good works will not get you to heaven, but it will give you a little heaven on the way!
3. Verse 4. Delight thyself also in the LORD! The things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. He will give us the desires of our hearts when our heart desires the things of God. Peace of mind and heart come through our delight in the Lord.
4. Verse 5-6. Commit your path to the Lord. By learning to follow His guidance, you will always be on the right track. The right path is not always the easiest, but it is the only truly correct one. The Word of God serves as a lamp for our feet, protecting our steps, and a light for our path, guiding us in the right direction. When you’re doing what is right, you will never go astray. True peace of mind and heart comes from commitment.
5. Verse 7. Rest in the Lord. This comes through waiting patiently for Him. Our Lord said, “Come unto me!” They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Then they will walk, run, and soar above this world. True peace of mind and heart are found in resting in Christ.
6. Verse 8. Cease from anger and forsake wrath. Never allow your temper and wrath to control your mind and heart. Learn to allow your mind and heart to control your temper.
Conclusion: Are these eight verses an easy solution for the child of God? The answer is no. Look at these things in reverse.
1. You have to cease from anger and wrath before you can rest in the Lord.
2. You must learn to rest in the Lord before you commit your path unto Him.
3. You must commit your path unto Him before you can delight in the Lord.
4. You must delight yourself in the Lord before you can learn to trust Him.
5. You must learn to trust the Lord before you can lay aside worry and fret.
6. Does peace of mind lead to peace of heart, or does peace of heart lead to peace of mind?
7. Either way, there will be both peace of mind and heart!
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