How to Win Without Being Wicked (Part 3 of 4)

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"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 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. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." (Psa 37:3-8).

Yesterday we looked at step #1 and #2 in a five step plan that moves us out of the stronghold of anger. Today we will look at what comes next.

#3 Commit -- The word picture suggests “the rolling of a stone from one place to another.” In other words – roll your burden over onto the Lord. His broad shoulders can carry the weight that will otherwise crush you and me. This is the ultimate act of “letting it go.”

Years back I came upon this little phrase, and I've never forgotten it -- "Worry is an old man with bended head, carrying a load of feathers which he thinks is lead." Sometimes we give more weight to what we hold onto, increasing the load we carry until it wears us down. If we would just let it go, it would blow away like feathers in the wind.

#4 Rest – The word means to be silent and still. It indicates the absence of emotional distress; the quieting of an inward churning that always stirs up strife. To rest is to be at peace. This is what empowers us to stand in the face of anything -- for we now have nothing to fear, nothing to prove, nothing to hide, and nothing to lose.

Again, as we saw yesterday with the first two steps, step #4 is the proof that you have done step #3. A person cannot and will not find rest until they commit their way unto the Lord.

Before we wrap this up tomorrow, look first at the promises made for those who trust, delight, commit, and rest.

The Psalmist assures us that we shall dwell securely in the blessings of the Lord, watching with delight as He defends us from all attacks and gives us the desires of our heart. And, He will publicly vindicate us, clearing us of all accusations that have been brought against us.

How good is that?

See you tomorrow for the conclusion.
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