THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN–PSALM 37:3-9, 23-31

THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN
PSALM 37:3-9, 23-31

What the Psalmist means by “a good man” is one that has trusted Christ as his personal Savior. The Scriptures declare that outside of Christ, man is not good: Psalm 14:3 declares, “They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Here we find some of the promises made to the “good man” who would serve the Lord faithfully in this life.

I. TRUST IN THE LORD,

V. 3, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

Faith in Christ brings spiritual life, Romans 10:9-10, 17; 9,10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10-For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

17-“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

A. God’s Promise – you shall “dwell in the land.”

1. The promised land — to Israel this meant Caanan.

2. To the Christian it means that we will dwell in the presence of the Lord.

II. DELIGHT THYSELF ALSO IN THE LORD

V. 4, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

A. Be happy in the Lord. Psalm 94:19 ”In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

B. The desires of your heart.

1. “Desires” — petitions or requests. Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

2. “Heart” — the inner man.

a. Physical needs are included.

b. Spiritual needs such as peace, joy, hope, etc. are the principal consideration here. Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”

III. COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD

V. 5, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

A. “Commit…” Hebrew = “Roll thy way upon.” The Portuguese translation uses the word “Intregar” which means to “surrender” or “deliver” your way unto the Lord. Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

B. “Way” — direction, path, journey. 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

IV. REST IN THE LORD

V. 7, “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.”

A. “To be silent ”– Many times we are talking when we should be listening. Ecclesiastes 3:7, “A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”

B. “To be still ” — Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

C. “Wait patiently for him.”

1. The steps of a good man, vs. 23-25.

a. “Are ordered” — established by the Lord, Psalm 37:31, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Psalm 44:18, “Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way.”

b. “He delighteth in his way.” The faithful believer is happy in his service to the Lord.

c. “Though he fall…” Psalm 145:14, “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

2. “He shall not be utterly cast down…” (cast away or out), v. 24, ”Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

Conclusion

The Lord does not forsake his children. Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”