Psalm 37:7-11 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way… "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7). This is not a call to indolence, but to action enveloped in repose. In all probability the writer was one of the leading men of action of his age. Our deeds should have their origin and their completion in patient waiting. (1) Restfulness is the preparation for service; it is the interior fountain of active goodness. The man that would give must first receive. (2) Restfulness should be the spirit in which action is concluded. The fretful anxiety which looks back upon faithful work is a denial of God and a weakening of the soul. This is a call to service with the fret taken away. There is no true rest for man save in the thought of God. Aubrey de Vere relates a conversation he had with Wordsworth in Lakeland. The poet remarked that travellers boasted much of Swiss mountains because they were two or three times as high as the English, but he added, "I reply that the clouds gather so low on them that half of them remain commonly out of sight." His visitor did not wish to contradict him, and so the poet went on declaiming. "You cannot see those boasted Swiss mountains when the clouds hang low." "Certainly not," replied the prudent visitor. Then, after a pause, his veracity prevailed, and he added, "But I must admit you know that they are there." "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my strength." Sometimes the clouds gather, but it makes all the difference to life to know that "the hills" are there. "We rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." I. THIS SPIRIT OF PATIENT WAITING IS IN ITSELF A HIGH ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. In religion all means are ends, and all ends only means to some larger end. Repentance is not only a condition of salvation, but also a part of the work; it is an indication of a deep change which God works within the heart. To wait patiently upon the Lord is a means of grace, but it is also a feature of a lofty spirit. Our God is the "God of patience." How patiently He waits as Creator — not at once, but slowly have order and beauty emerged from chaos; how patiently He stands as the World Redeemer, while men scourge and revile and spit at Him, and crown Him with thorns, and smite Him with their hands! He waits patiently "to see of the travail of His soul," and is able to breathe the spirit of calm, fearless, hopeful endurance into all His people. II. THIS SPIRIT OF milder afflictions which we at times are called on to suffer. 2. Whilst remembering the judgment that is coming upon the wicked if they do not repent, we are to pray for them that they may. 3. Lay to heart the truth that God, as surely as lie lives, is on the side of right. You are not in the devil's world. lie neither made nor governs it. Therefore keep to the right and the true, to religious faith and the side of God. (T. Binney.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. |
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