- Don’t fret.
Psalm 37:1–2 (NKJV) says, “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
The word “fret” here means to become grieved, angry or vexed. Through the prophet David, we are being challenged by God to not be angry because of what we see or upset about what people are doing around us. God has a plan for them, and God has a plan for you. As you keep your eyes on what God has for you, trust that He is taking care of everything else. The evildoers are His business.
- Trust in the Lord.
“Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Ps. 37:3b).
Don’t put your trust in man. I’ve learned this over years of ministry. Don’t even put your trust in yourself. Flesh will always let you down. Put your trust in God. Focus on Him, and feed on His faithfulness. Believe Him. He is your might, strength and power.
- Do good.
“Trust in the Lord, and do good” (Ps. 37:3a, emphasis added).
- “Delight yourself also in the Lord” (Ps. 37:4a).
Do you desire peace of mind; a sense of security, safety and stability; financial provision; success in business or ministry; good relationships with family and friends; a deeper knowledge and love of God? Delight yourself—”be happy about,” “make merry over,” become “soft or pliable”—in the things of God, and He will meet each one of your desires.
- “Commit your way to the Lord” (Ps. 37:5a).
Commit your path, plans and purposes to the Lord and see them lead you to the good land.
- “Rest in the Lord” (Ps. 37:7a).
- Wait patiently for the Lord (see Ps. 37:7, 9).
Those who wait patiently on the Lord inherit the good land.
- Cease from anger.
“Forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off” (Ps. 37:8–9a).
In Ephesians 4:26–27, the apostle Paul said, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Sometimes being angry about what others are doing can be a distraction from the enemy. You have a pursuit and purpose. Do not let the actions of others cause you to get out of step with where God is leading you. Trust Him to give you strategy to fight the battles worth fighting.
- Be humble.
Five times in Psalm 37, the prophet David talked about inheriting the land—verses 9, 11, 22, 29 and 34—and in all five instances, we see that the ones who do the inheriting are the patient, meek and righteous. This is important.
The word “meek” in verse 11 means “humble” and “lowly.” This is one of the traits in the character of Christ. The meek are in essence patient because they are not anxious to have things quickly line up the way they want them to. They are not prideful and arrogant.
The righteous are by definition humble and patient, as they are in right standing with God. God is not resisting them because of their pride. They experience the grace and mercy of God, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). They wait patiently for Him because they trust His timing.
- Embrace the glory.
“Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified” (Isa. 60:21).
God will bring you out of a place of desolation, captivity and bondage and into the good land. When the glory of God comes, it elevates you, promotes you and blesses you.
The glory comes through Messiah—Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). Here, Isaiah is speaking to us about entering into the promise of God.
The prophets of God—David and Isaiah—shared these things from the heart of God to build our faith. The Bible says that if we believe His prophets, we will prosper (2 Chron. 20:20). Prophets have an anointing to break us into good and new things, places the enemy tries to keep us from.
Use these 10 keys to help you embrace the promises of God. They belong to you as a child of God. {eoa}
This article is adapted from The Good Land: Grow and Flourish in God’s Presence by John Eckhardt. Eckhardt is overseer of Crusaders Ministries, located in Chicago. Gifted with a strong apostolic call, he has ministered throughout the United States and overseas in more than eighty nations. He is a sought-after international conference speaker, produces a weekly television program called Perfecting the Saints, and has authored more than 20 books, including Prayers That Rout Demons and Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual.
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