Commit Thy Way Unto The LORD - Toby Digrugilliers

In Psalm 37:5 we read, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Then verse six goes on to explain, "And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and judgment as the noonday."

In Today's world the concept of being committed is a lost way of life. In our Christian circles we hear people talking of being committed to Christ yet, by their lifestyle one should wonder how they define the word "commitment." Jesus taught us in John 14:15 to keep His commandments. As a matter of fact he conditioned His instruction with a phrase that would indicate ones commitment to Him, He said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Webster defines "commitment" as "the act of committing." This indicates ones resolve to pledge or engage oneself to a person or idea. A few weeks ago I told you about Karin, my eldest child. If you remember I told you how that while swimming I called for her to come to daddy. She was a toddler at the time. I used this example to show what it meant to trust. Well we can also apply it to committing oneself to the Lord and His ways. As Karin started to run to the edge of the pool to jump she was exercising a choice: "Do I trust Daddy to catch me or not?" Up in till the edge of the pool she could have stopped and decided not to jump; but once her feet left the ground, there was no turning back! She was committed!

This is what the Psalmist meant when he said to commit our ways to the LORD. Once we do, we are to realize that there is no turning back! It should be little wonder to us concerning today's society and the confusion today's children experience. People have forgotten the Psalmists call to committing their ways, their choices, their way in life, to the LORD.

There is a promise to those who do commit their way to the LORD in verse six, remember? "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light..."

The old song say's, "Look and live, my brother live; look to Jesus now and Live." It is His righteousness that shines forth from our lives as we commit our ways to Him! Look to Him today, and LIVE!

Delight Thyself Also in the LORD - Toby Digrugilliers

In today's world when one usually says, "I'm so delighted to... meet you" or, "be here" it's usually an indication of what makes one happy or pleased. The focus of delight is on "self."

Our text today is from Psalm 37 and verse 4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." That word, "also" indicates a continuation of the preceding points of things already expressed. The preceding points are: Fret not; be not envious; and trust in the LORD. For it is when we truly stop worrying, cease from envy and trust in Him that we may begin to understand what it means to delight ourselves in Him!

The Apostle Paul frequently used marriage to express what our relationship to Christ is to be, and here I can do no less, however; in this day where society, in general, is tearing down the family it may be difficult for some to comprehend the importance of the illustration.

There was a day when "family" meant something and was the fulcrum upon which all society was raised (no pun intended). In these days of same sex everything that "fulcrum" has been distorted and the lever upon which it was moved, bent! My point is that when a man and woman "fell" in love their focus was on doing the things that made the other happy. It was a "delight" to one to see that their actions caused the express happiness of the object of their desire. This is the sense in which the Psalmist was communicating: When we are at the point in our walk with the LORD that all we accomplish has as it focus, doing the things that please Him. When we do this, then we "delight ourselves in the LORD."

Doing that which is right in His sight brings us to verse 5, "Commit thy way..." This we shall discuss next week. Till then, Delight thyself in the LORD!

Trust In The LORD - by Toby Digrugilliers

I remember when our daughter Karin was but a toddler. We lived in Tucson Arizona at an apartment complex that had a swimming pool. "Come on Karin. Jump to Daddy, I will catch you." I remember all too well her trusting jump into the pool toward her Daddy. Unquestioning! She did not run up to the edge and stop, no she ran to the edge and just keep on a coming!

Psalm 37:3 simply states, "Trust in the LORD, and do good: so thou shalt dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

Webster defines "trust" as, 1) reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of another person or thing; confidence. 2) confident expectation of something; hope.

Reliance and hope. I like that. To rely on the LORD and have hope knowing that HE is in control of all things and has our best interest at heart.

But the Scripture has another thing to say along with trusting in the Lord. We are told to "do good" and in the doing of good we shall be fed.

Now it is intimated that "doing good" carries with it the idea of working. The old saying, "If you don't work you don't eat" could have very well had its roots in this passage. But on a larger scale; what about a nation that fails to do good? It's difficult to believe that in a time that appears to be a time of plenty we are in danger of some of the greatest food shortages that America has ever been faced with. Gas prices are through the roof and soaring higher and the end result is that we are paying more at the store.

Just a thought, but could we be facing this as a result of not doing good Nationally? America is more concerned with ensuring that the rights of the wicked are protected to the exclusion of what the Word of God teaches and I believe we are about to see the Hand of judgment more than His heart of mercy!

Nationally and individually, America had fled from doing good: That which is right in the sight of God and fleeing to the pleasures of wickedness and then have the audacity to wonder why are things falling apart!

I remember several years ago many were preaching from II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways..." A wonderful call to National repentance, however, those who cried out using this verse stopped short, for in verse 19 we see the infamous "But" being used. I challenge you to read II Chronicles 7:14 through 22 and see in context God's perspective.

Yes, my friend, we must trust in the Lord, but let's not forget to also do good! I challenge you this day to do all the Word of God says, trust AND do good.

Next week we'll see how we can delight ourselves in the Lord as a result of following today's text. Remember the pool? Don't just run to the edge of "just trusting" but keep on moving in the jumping and "doing!" Till then, may God bless and keep you as you both trust and do.

Don't Worry - Be Happy by Toby Digrugilliers

I'm reminded of the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

"Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Look at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy."

Cute song and good advice. Worrying is not pleasing to our Savior and shows great LACK of faith. However, Psalm 37:1&2 says, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb."

But with this advice to "Don't worry" or "fret not" comes another thought that requires consideration. There is something to be said about planning and dong all you can to put yourself in a position that you need not to worry.

There once was a farmer who need help around the farm. In an interview with a prospective hired hand, the answer was given in response to the question, "Why should I hire you?" "I sleep when it storms." Well the farmer thought this was an strange answer but liked the guy and hired him based on answers to his other questions.

Well, one day a great big storm came and the farmer was running all over and screaming for the hired hand to make ready for the storm. When he finally found him he found him asleep in the bunk house. The farmer asked, "what are you doing? Don't you know a storm's a coming? Get up we need to get ready." The hired hand said, "I told you when you hired me that I sleep when the storm comes." Well, come to find out that all the things the farmer thought needed to be done in preparation for the storm was already done!

The hired hand followed the admonition in Ephesians 6:13, "...and having done all, to stand."

Yes we are not to worry. Yes, we are to trust in our Lord, but we too must do all we are to do so we don't have to worry and after having done all, just stand and trust Him for the rest.

There is a lot going on in the world that will cause many to "fret." High gas prices, cost of food rising along with shortages. May I encourage you to do all you can to "prepare for the storm" and then after having done all, "Stand." "Fret not thyself because of evildoers..." Next week, we'll look at verse three of Psalm 37. Till then, God bless and, "Don't worry, be happy!"