TRUST THE CAPTAIN

 

                

During a terrible storm on the ocean, a small passenger ship rolled precariously in the roaring tempest. The passengers were confined to their bunks for their own safety. Many on board thought the vessel was doomed. Finally, a passenger who was determined to find out if there was any hope for survival set out to see the one who was in command. He made his way to the wave-lashed deck, up a ladder and into the wheelhouse.

He noticed that the ship was nearing land and was between some jagged rocks. It became apparent that the captain was trying to reach the safety of a calm bay up ahead. Knowing he could not make himself heard above the roar of the wind and waves, the captain just turned wordlessly to the worried passenger and smiled. Reassured, the man returned to the others and said, “Don’t be afraid. All is well. I’ve seen the captain’s face and he smiled.

Psalm 37 was written by David when he was old, after walking with God for many years. In the Psalm we find wise words of an old man. We see conclusions drawn from what he had observed and experienced over the years. David says “do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb” (Ps. 37:1-2).

“Cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb” is a metaphor for the brevity of human life. The Jews listening to the metaphor would have understood this completely. In the desert country of Israel, vegetation is so rapid both in growth and decay. Vegetation is abundant during and immediately after the rainy season, but can wither and die within just a few days due to the dry heat of the desert.

The grass and the herb are images used in the Bible for what is transient and perishable. They poetically describe the mortality of humans. The Bible says “all people are like grass and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall” (Isa.40:6). All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall (1 Peter 1:24).

Men “are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withers (Ps 90:5-6). As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more (Ps.103:15-16).  For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and it’s beautiful appearance perishes (James1:10-11).

The hope and destiny of the godless is more perishable than grass. In Job 8:11-19 we read “can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and  uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. such is the destiny of all who forget God ; so perishes the hope of the godless ...they are like well watered plant in the sunshine , spreading its shoot over the garden ... but when it's torn from its spot , the place disowns it and says "I never saw you"

The godless thrive for a while but are forgotten as soon as they die by the people who exalted and praised them in life. Proverbs 10:7 tells us that “the memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will  rot ". When we see evil doers flourish and live in ease, we can think of them as the only happy people . We are tempted to copy their lifestyle. David warns against that.

When we look forward, with an eye of faith, we shall see no reason to envy the wicked. The triumphing of the wicked is short (Job 20:5). The wicked prosper and flourish for a while, and then inspite of all their honour, fame and wealth they perish. Their actions do not go unnoticed and God will deal with them one day. Their destruction will be overwhelming and irretrievable; their pain will be everlasting.

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the brevity of our earthly life so that we might be assiduous and judicious to redeem the precious moments God allots to each of us to prepare for eternity. This thought should motivate us to seek his kingdom and His righteousness as a priority (Matt 6:33). We should seek the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our life each day (Rom.12:2).

David says “do not fret because of those who are evil. Trust in the Lord and do good” (Ps. 37:2- 3).  Trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength and truth of someone or something in which confidence is placed. We can place our trust on many things. David may have tried to trust several things and different people. His own son Absalom betrayed him and his best friend Prince Jonathan died (2 Sam. 1:17-27). David’s conclusion was that it’s best to trust God.

We live in a world that is so uncertain and volatile. There is danger, rottenness, corruption and deception everywhere. David faced great challenges too and his resolve was “In the Lord I put my trust”. He asked “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Then he answered “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men (Ps. 11: 3-4).

No matter how terribly foundations on earth may shake, God’s foundation cannot be moved because it is in heaven. And as our foundations are shaking down here, God is on the throne, in his temple going about his business, at the same time watching what is going on down here. His eyes “run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9).

It is hard to trust human beings because many times they disappoint us. And when they are willing to help, they may lack the ability because even the greatest among men has limitations. The Bible says, “do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day, their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those … whose hope is in the Lord their God.  He is the Maker of heaven and earth…he remains faithful forever (Ps. 146:3-6).

 Faith in God cures envy. Sight views things only as they seem, hence envy. Faith sees the larger picture hence peace. Even when things look like they going totally wrong in our lives, the eyes of faith are able to see God on the throne still working out His eternal purposes in us; causing ALL things to work together for our good and his glory (Rom. 8:28). There are times when God's way is difficult to figure out. During those times when you cannot trace God, learn to trust Him anyway.

In Psalm 46:1-3, the psalmist says that God is a very present help in trouble and God is greater the most frightening natural phenomenon imaginable. In Psalm 32:7-8 David says “you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble…The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (NLT). God knows the best way to handle every situation so we get the best possible outcome.

God knows better than we do and he can save us from any situation. He is almighty and he has all the resources. Trusting him is not easy but it’s the best thing to do. Great is his love towards us and his faithfulness endures forever (Ps. 117:2). His faithfulness is our shield and rampart (Ps.91:4). The wicked may appear to be secure but what they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. Tragically, it will eventually fail them (Job 8:14-15).

When the godless seems happy and healthy, a believer may be tempted to concluded it doesn't pay to serve God. Seeing the wicked prosper, while the righteous suffer tempts us to conclude that righteousness brings nothing except trouble. Asaph almost gave up doing good. He felt “surely in vain have I kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence (Ps. 73:13). But that was until his eyes of faith saw the ending.

David says “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness (Ps. 37:3).God had promised to care for Israel so long as they were obedient to Him. The land he had given them was great (Deut. 11:11-12).yet, there were many who were tempted to leave the land because they saw how seemingly easier the wicked lived and they thought they would be better off leaving Israel and going to live in those lands.

 But doing that would have been the same as saying that God was not faithful and is not to be trusted. There is a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. No matter how good we may have it, we still have a sense that others have it better, whether or not that's ever actually the case. The feeling creates envy and discontentment in us.

The antidote to envious discontent is patient trust in God and perseverance in the path of duty. Take God at his word and continue to do good; with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Heb. 13:16).Trusting in God will give you hope, not because the world will be a better place, but because God is in control of your life. The Promised Land is a picture of living within the will of God. Don’t allow envy or anxiety to cause you to leave God’s will; when you trust his goodness, you will enjoy his faithfulness.