Scripture Reading : Psalm 37
Theme : The Righteous will Inherit the Earth
The idea that the righteous will inherit the earth/God’s kingdom (cf. Matt. 5:5) and the wicked will perish from earth is central to this psalm. This eternal perspective also empowers and guides believers to live for God in this broken and evil world. In light of the suffering of the righteous under the wicked, believers are to trust in God and wait patiently (5). They ought to delight in God (4). They ought not to be angry or jealous of the prosperity of the wicked (8). God will absolutely not abandon the righteous, but He will help and deliver them (39-40). The psalmist constantly testifies to the faithful help of God who has helped him and others through every trouble in life (25). We can also see God’s faithfulness throughout history as record in the OT and in the lives of believers.
Praying the Scripture
Hope of inheriting the earth/God’s glorious eternal kingdom is essential to believers’ lives. Hope is just faith about the future. This hope is based on absolute certainty, not chance because it is based on God’s promise. He has promised to renew this earth and give it to His people. Hope is a necessary characteristic of a believer (1 Thess. 1:3; Col. 1:5). It is this hope that will empower and guide you in this broken world. Pray that your hope in God’s righteous, glorious kingdom will grow strong, to the point where it fills your heart with overwhelming joy and transforms your focus and goal in life. May you not be jealous or angry at the wicked prospering, for they will be kicked out.
经文：诗篇37
主题：义人将承受地土
这首诗篇围绕着一个主题，即义人将承受地土，或神的国（见：太5:5），但恶人将被剪除。在这破碎和充满恶势力的世界中，这永恒的视角给予信徒为主而活的力量和引导。义人在恶人手中受苦时当倚靠神，耐心等候祂（5）。他们当以耶和华为乐（4）。他们不应恶人的富裕感到愤怒或嫉妒（8）。神绝对不会撇下义人，但要帮助他们，解救他们（39-40）。诗人持续见证神忠实的帮助；祂在诗人及他人生命中所遇的每一个困难都施与帮助（25）。我们也能从旧约历史与众信徒的生命中看见神的信实。
用经文祷告
承受土地，或神荣耀的永恒国度之盼望对信徒而言是必要的。盼望就是对未来的信心。这盼望是基于铁一般的真理，不凭机遇，因为这是神的应许。神已应许要更新这个世界并将此给予祂的子民。盼望也是信徒必有的特性（帖前1:3；西1:5）。我们在这破碎的世界中是凭这份盼望作力量和导引的。祷告你在神公义、荣耀之国的信息会变得坚固，以致你的心会充满极其强烈的喜乐，生命中的目标和焦点也有所改变。愿你不要为恶人的富裕感到愤怒或嫉妒，因为他们将被剪除。
