What to Do—When You Don’t Know What to Do?
July 1, 2015
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[Confused traffic signal. Photo by caesararum on Flickr: http://tinyurl.com/nd76dap]
Recently at Shepherd Church, a dear friend and fellow pastor, Jeff Walling, talked about a single verse in the Bible that is the answer to the question, “What should I do in a difficult situation?”
There are many wonderful Scriptures that provide guidance in life, so I wasn’t sure what Jeff was going to say was the biblical answer no matter what one might be facing. When he said, “Psalm 37:3,” I knew he was right on. Here’s why:
David, the father of the wise King Solomon, was a wise king himself. His Psalms are filled with beautiful songs of praise, pearls of wisdom, and sage counsel to life’s complex questions. Though he had made mistakes, King David possessed a repentant heart and always sought to ask, “How do I live a righteous life?”
He provided us with a succinct and perfect answer in Psalm 37:3, “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
To trust someone is to rely on the character, ability, or strength of that person. It also means putting your confidence and faith in that person. Many times in his life, David knew to trust in God. “In the Lord I put my trust,” he wrote in Psalm 11:1 (NKJV). At a time when he was discouraged with the depressing developments in his life, David trusted the Lord and put himself “in the shelter of His wings” and recognized God as “a strong tower from the enemy” ((Psalm 61:3-4).
When faced with difficult challenges and decisions, in whom or what do you put your trust?
When faced with difficult challenges and decisions, in whom or what do you put your trust?
Do you put your trust in your wealth? Psalm 49:6-7 says, “Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother.”
Do you put your trust in your own talents, power, or accomplishments? Psalm 28:26 says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,” while Proverbs 3:7 exhorts, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.”
Do you put your trust in other people? The Bible says, “Cursed is the man who trust in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5).
God is the only One worthy of our trust. He is the one Revealer of all truth, the Lord of righteousness, and the God who is our strength and fortress.
God is the only One worthy of our trust. He is the one Revealer of all truth, the Lord of righteousness, and the God who is our strength and fortress.
David asserts that along with putting our trust in the Lord, we also ought to do good. It’s as if he knew that we, like him, would have to face our own Goliaths—our own giants—in life. When the Goliath of hate and prejudice confront you, do good by showing love and kindness to others (1 John 4:11). When the Goliath of outrage and revenge beset you, do good by forsaking anger and showing forgiveness (Psalm 37:8).
When the Goliath of pride tries to devour you, do good by being humble, for “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). When the Goliath of materialism possesses you, do good by being generous, because—“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). When the Goliath of fear and suffering torment you, do good by praying unceasingly. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
You see, no matter what you are facing today—financial troubles, relational issues, or health challenges—what other choice do you have but to trust in God and continue to do good? Worrying will not change the situation. Taking matters into your hands most often makes things worse. And putting your trust in other people and things inevitably leads to disappointment. But the command to “Trust in the Lord and do good” comes with a promise. David assures that you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture, and that God “will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4).
Will you commit to trusting in the Lord and doing good today?
Edited by Carmencita F. Davino, Ph.D.
