Wide Range Of Topics
Psalm 37
Heard a preacher begin his message stating one fascinating topic many believers are very interested in is that of prophecy, the future. As I pondered his statement I naturally wondered about myself. Obviously with my current study it isn't that of prophecy. Then venturing further I considered all the topics in technical school against those which I have used over more than 40 years working, 50 years or more overall soon to be in a couple of years. There are some I have used over different times for specific purposes, often learning more new subjects as time passed. Others I haven't used at all. One of my very last classes in electronics schoolwas the very first ever class in microprocessors, learning how to electrically connect them and program them. This class alone stillhelps my understanding of the computing world today even in quantum computing. But like a textbook I had in one of my first classes the teacher told us it had the very latest possible information on electronics circuit theory, but it was already an outdated textbook. That hasn't changed over the years except to change faster.
Daniel wrote in his prophetic words:
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book til the end of the time: many shall run to and from, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 12:4 GNV
Interesting statements: many run to and from, knowledge shall be increased. The electronics industry isn't the only facet of society that changes faster and faster. Nearly all industry and other aspects of society changes faster every day. And almost as fast as scientific books are written of facts, speculation, or conjecture the same is true of Bible help books for growth, prophecy, archaeological finds, and theology, even including my own meditations. Like all my courses in electronics school the only subjects I need the most are with whatever I am currently doing.
There are great things to learn about the future, about deep theology, and more. But everyday we have our current needs. Oh, to look forward to Christ's return, to to understand the depths of soteriology (doctrine of salvation), or to understand more of the archeology that supports Biblical history. But one thing Jesus taught when teaching how to pray is give us this day our daily bread. There are many things about God and Jesus Christ and all of creation to learn, but what is most needful is to live our life at whatever level we are at, in our own being, within our family, within our church if we have one, in our work, in our school, in out recreation and entertainment, we must have what we need in our NOW.
Unlike previous Psalms that have been either a song of praise, a narrative of struggle, an open celebration of all who God is, and even for my quest of "would Jesus pray this psalm" as I try to better understand the humanity of Christ, His relationship with His Father, and what made Him successfully live so as not to ever sin. Psalm 37 doesn't fit the pattern. It needs not to fit a pattern. But asking even if it could fit a prayer format proves challenging. As much as I need to pray daily, and I need to praise and exult God daily, I also need instruction daily. Even as I have been entering this time of meditation daily I consider, What if I didn't meditate daily, what then? Where would be my prayer, my praise, my seeking God? O, I'm quite certain I would most likely read God's Word, more out of habit than recognizing my dependecy on the Creator, but walking in Him, working in Him, would that be real?
David encouraged himself in His God. It was a time when the 600 men with him were at a deep low of discouragement. Some might say, Oh, you need to pray more, ir you need to praise God more for all He's done for you. Still others would say, You need counseling, you need therapy. Guess what! God believes in counsel. God believes in therapy. Just look in this psalm.
A Psalm of David.
Fret not thy self because of the wicked men, neither be envious for the evil doers. For they shall soon be cut down like grass, and shall wither as the green herb.
Trust thou in the Lord and do good: dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed assuredly. And delight thy self in the Lord, and he shall give thee thine heart's desire. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousnes as the light, and thy judgment as the noon day. Wait patiently upon the Lord and hope in him: fret not thy self for him which prospereth in his way: nor for the man that bringeth his enterprises to pass. Cease from anger, and leave off wrath: fret not thy self also to do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off, and they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land.
Psalms 37:1 - 9 GNV
What an assortment of topics! Trust in the Lord, delight yourself in the Lord, commit your way in the Lord, rest in the Lord, wait on the Lord! And the details are filled in too. And this is only a quarter of the counsel and therapy the Lord has in this psalm alone! Would Jesus "pray" this as a prayer? Probably no more than you and I. But would He seeing His Father as His Lord from a man's perspective use this as an encouragement before His Father, to encourage Himself in the Lord (His Father)? It would most likely be as refreshing as a cool drink of water from a bubling spring.