God Will Act, Right?
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." -- Psalm 37:5
I've been reading Psalm 37 a lot lately. A couple of weeks ago, it was simply the next psalm on the list. But since then … as I've been meeting with many of you in various seasons and carrying life's burdens … the words have come alive. "Fret not" has been a hopeful encouragement (v.1) "Trust in the Lord" has been a grounding practice (v.3). "Delight yourself in the Lord," has been a timely invitation to grace (v.4). "Take refuge in him," has be a clarifying call (v.40). It's been a joy to watch God's word at work in your lives.
Personally, I found three words to be deeply instructive, especially to my prayer life:he will act. In verse 5, David says, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." More often than I care to admit, I look at the spiritual disciples like therapeutic tools. What I mean is that I think about things like rest, solitude, fasting, Scripture reading, and especially prayer as things I do to make myself feel better. When I rest, I feel more peaceful. When I seek solitude, I feel less anxious. When I fast, I feel more dependent. When I read Scripture, I feel wiser. When I prayer, I feel less burdened. While it's true that godliness holds promise for the present life, I'm learning that's not the whole story (see 1 Timothy 4:8).
In many ways, committing to the Lord and trusting him merely puts our hearts in the right posture to wait for him. After we've done all we can do, we still have to wait. Every discipline takes us to the end of ourselves. We still have to trust that he will act.
Honestly, that's probably why l use the the disciplines like self-help mechanisms: I'm afraid God won't act. I'm afraid he won't take away the pain in my neck. I'm afraid he won't protect my children. I'm fearful he won't ease a contentious relationship. I'm worried he won't give me more money. I'm afraid he won't act.
Perhaps that's the point. Maybe I’m meant to face those fears. The disciplines in general and prayer in particular aren’t necessarily what makes me better, but rather puts me in a place in which I'm able to see I can't make myself better. It’s not about my action, but his. I need a Savior. I need God to act.
The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon puts it well,
"The ploughman sows and harrows, and then leaves the harvest to God. What can he do else? He cannot cover the heavens with clouds, or command the rain, or bring forth the sun or create the dew. He does well to leave the whole matter with God."
Perhaps that's how God is working, how he's acting. When we commit our way to him, and trust him, then he graciously shows us this space between our need and our ability. He shows us that it's a gap only he can fill. I think that's what's so hopeful, grounding, and timely about prayer. It's where and how God acts. He takes away our self-reliance and gives us his very presence.
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Written by Jason C. Helveston, Elder for Teaching and Vision
The Hebrew word for "commit" (galal) literally means to roll away or roll onto - like rolling a heavy burden onto someone else. David is calling us to roll the weight of our lives onto the Lord.
The Hebrew behind "fret" (charah) means to burn or be kindled with anger. David isn't just telling us not to worry; he's warning against the slow burn of resentment we feel when the wicked seem to prosper while we struggle.
"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Paul's point is that godliness does bring present benefit, but its ultimate promise extends far beyond what we can see or feel right now.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, commentary on Psalm 37:5. Available at The Spurgeon Archive.
