Commit Your Way

Commit Your Way

Psalm 37:5–6 (NIV)

“Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.”

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm written by David during the later years of his life. And it addresses a question that’s as old as faith itself: Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer?

Of course, I’m sure you’ve noticed how much our world has changed; so much so, that at times it seems hardly recognizable. Evil is gaining ground, Truth’s being mocked, and ethics/morals are being cast aside (even in churches). Yet David emphatically calls us NOT to fret, envy, or despair. Instead, he urges us to trust in the sovereignty of God.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”

When we hear the word “Commit” we tend to think of pledging ourselves to something, or “finishing what we’ve started.” All true. But the word translated “commit” here in Psalm 37 literally means to roll something upon another... in other words, to commit is to relieve a burden by placing it onto something stronger.

It’s reminds me of Jesus’ words in the 11th Chapter of Matthew’s gospel, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (28)

David’s not calling us to just to pray about our problems (even though that’s certainly where we begin). He’s calling us to surrender the entire course of our lives into God’s hands.

Our plans. Our future. Our families. Our ministries. Our reputations. Our joys. Our sufferings. Everything is to be entrusted to the Lord.

And why wouldn’t we? Why wouldn’t we eagerly and joyfully commit all things, to the Lord of all things?

The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches: “God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.”

Who is in control? Who is omnipotent? Who is omnipresent? Who is the only good and wise counsel? God! And because God governs all things, as followers of Christ, you and I can safely (and rightly) place all things into His sovereign hands.

We do not commit our way to fate.

We do not commit our way to chance.

We do not commit our way to ourselves.

We commit our way to THE WAY, the Truth, and the Life... the God who is Lord over every detail of our life.

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

Our peace... and our greatest comfort... as believers... does not come from understanding God’s plan BUT from placing the whole of our lives, into the capable, loving hands, of the One who loved us first, and most. The God who has plans to prosper you, and not harm you. (Jer. 29:11)

The fact is... many of us (as Christians) carry burdens God never intended us to bear alone.

We worry about tomorrow. We obsess over trivial things. We attempt to control circumstances that are beyond us.

David calls us to roll those burdens onto the Lord. Commit your way to Him... not in the hope that things might possibly work out... but in the steadfast assurance that God is working out his good in your life.

“Trust in the Lord” the scripture says!

Biblical faith is personal faith, and a personal faith is a trusting faith. We’ve never been called to place our confidence in the circumstances of this life... but in the covenant God who governs those circumstances.

A Trusting Faith, rests in God’s wisdom, even when we do not understand our circumstances. A Trusting Faith finds comfort in God’s goodness even when life hurts... and it knows peace (true peace, peace that passes all understanding) in God’s promises “over and above” what we can see with our temporal eyes.

Think about Jesus. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate… Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

At Gethsemane Jesus prayed: “Not my will, but yours be done.” At Calvary He entrusted His spirit into the Father’s hands.

Faith itself is God’s gift. We do not conjure up saving faith by our own power. The Holy Spirit creates faith within us and continually strengthens it.

“Faith is a firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth of the freely given promise in Christ.” (Calvin) In other words, it’s not wishful thinking. Faith-filled-trust is resting upon the promises of God revealed in Christ, as conveyed to us by His Word.

When we learn to truly trust in God, and to put our full weight upon the grace of Christ, “he will make [our] righteous reward shine like the dawn.”

That’s the promise. God will act. “He will do this.”

The wicked may seem to gain the upper hand for a season. False accusations may prevail for a moment. The righteous may suffer unjustly for a while.

But... God’s final verdict is never in doubt.

“He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn... and... your vindication like the noonday sun.” The dawn begins gradually but inevitably. Darkness cannot stop the sunrise. At noon the sun stands high and unmistakable. You can’t miss it. Its light is undeniable.

David is saying that God will openly and transparently reveal the righteousness of His people. He will vindicate you for your faithfulness in and thru opposition and persecution.

Again: think about Jesus. Christ was falsely accused. Rejected. Condemned. Crucified.

Yet God vindicated Him through His resurrection, did He not?!?

The resurrection was the Father’s public declaration that Jesus was right! He was everything he claimed to be, and more! And, as believers, you and I are united to Christ, and we share in His vindication.

One day all God’s people will stand before Him clothed in Christ’s righteousness. What is hidden now will be revealed. What is mocked now will be honored. What is despised now will shine with glory.

That’s why the Apostle Paul could say with confidence: “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Wait upon the Lord. Trust His timing. The dawn is coming. And always remember: our life in Christ is not built on control. It’s built on trusting the One who controls all things.

May we, as Christ’s disciples today, confidently place every burden, every fear, and every hope before our sovereign God.

For the Lord who commands us to trust is the same Lord who promises: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will do this.”

Amen.