Psalm 37:18-20 - April 24, 2009

Ps 37:18-20 "The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish — vanish like smoke." NIV

There is power in living an upright life! When a man walks blameless in his life before the Lord the Lord keeps a close watch over him. David says that “his ways are known to the Lord.” As many have said before, “the Lord is watching.” But not only is He watching, He holds onto the memory of how we have lived and what we have done. The only time the Lord’s memory does not retain the knowledge of our deeds as an influence upon His dealings with us is when our sins are covered by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ through repentance and faith. All that we do has laid up for us an account before the Lord. As Jesus said in Matt 6:20, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” With the Lord we establish an eternal treasure that endures forever but we also receive the blessings of His covenant in this life as well.
This is a time in human history when the world is filled with conflict and shaking. It is a time when all men will be sifted by the trying times that are coming upon the earth. Economic disasters and times of famine are prophesied in the last times and all the earth will feel the pressure of these times. The glory of God’s promise is that even in the midst of these dark times as disaster touches the earth there will be a people whom the Lord looks upon with pleasure. While all around them people are withering from the pressures of earthquake and flood, tsunami and drought, when others are feeling the pain of economic shaking God will raise up a testimony of His goodness in the midst of the storm. Psalm 37 declares that those whom the Lord finds blameless will not wither but will enjoy plenty while those around them are being shaken by the storm. It is during this time that one man will experience trial that reduces him to desperation and another man who experiences the same circumstances yet he walks in the goodness of God’s abundant provision and protection. There will be a clear distinction between those whom the Lord has deemed His enemies and those whom the Lord has clothed with favor and blessing.