Psalm 37:23 and Proverbs 3:5-6
I pause my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon - to examine text used by my Friday morning men's group: Psalm 37:23 and Proverbs 3:5-6 - text that describes how our lives' direction (both short and long term) should be based on His guidance. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: Psalm 37:23 shares that the literal and figurative steps of a man are "established by the Lord," meaning God brought the steps into existence. It also means that the steps, movement and arc of our lives are all under the sovereign direction of God. Indeed all of humanity is God's creation and He reigns over all the details of our lives - there is no happenstance and God's plans cannot be thwarted (see also Job 42:2, Proverbs 19:21). Proverbs 3:5-6 describe how God makes our paths straight IF we acknowledge Him. This acknowledgement must include a surrender to Him as our Lord (He reigns and we exist for His glory) and Savior.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: Key to Psalm 37:23 is the back end of the text "when he delights in his way." This refers to how God directs our steps based on our delight of Him. Man (including believers who are tempted and fall into temptation) can delight in Satan's ways. This is a very deep topic worthy of further exploration and the debate is over the extent to which people truly have free will and what is the extent of human responsibility. See this resource on this debate. While there is some mystery on this question one thing IS clear - that God's ways and thoughts are not our own (Isaiah 55:8) BUT God will renew our minds to align with His thoughts and ways if we delight in Him and seek Him through daily study and meditation on His Word (see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22–24).
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid seeking our own glory and avoid planning outside of God's wisdom and direction. Claim the promise that God will renew our minds so that we can align with His desires. Seek, love and trust Him.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that reveals Himself to me and renews my mind to align with Your thoughts, ways, and desires so that I can more like You and please You. Thank You Jesus for these blessings and also for my salvation. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
