Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusts in THEE. Trust in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)
If you’ve ever watched cable TV beginning in November through the end of the year, you’ve seen a never-ending (24/7 literally) string of yuletide stories featuring people with yuletide names, having yuletide characteristics (be they “Scrooge-ish or Tiny Tim-ish”) living in places that either over or under celebrate yuletide traditions. All of those movies have one main theme – it is always better to give than to receive. And while we say we get tired of all those movies, we secretly make sure to DVR any of the ones we’ve missed. Why? Because we know it’s true. It IS better to give than to receive.
What better gift to “give” than the peace God provides us through faith in Jesus and the ability to gently share that faith with others. Great peace have they who love your law and nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165 NIV).
Psalm 37 gives simple instruction as to how to keep the peace of God in our hearts so that we may be able to comfort others in their stresses. Here’s a simple outline you might want to keep handy for when it’s time for you to be a blessing:
- Vs. 1 – “Fret not”
- Vs. 3 – “Trust in the Lord”
- Vs. 4 – “Delight in the Lord”
- Vs. 5 – “Commit your way (life) to the Lord”
- Vs. 7 – “Rest in the Lord” – “Fret not”