Majestic Sunset in the Carpathian Mountains (Ukraine) - Psalm 37:5 - 123RF Photo - Used under license
This lesson explains biblically what it means to commit one's "way" to the Lord. The verses below are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 version) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).
Consider. In the context of trusting in the Lord, what do you think David had in mind when he wrote, "Commit your way to the Lord"? (Psalm 37:5)
Introduction
David wrote Psalm 37 about the security of those who trust in the Lord (see the heading for Psalm 37:1-6). In Psalm 37:3, David tells us, "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate [feed on] [God's] faithfulness" (Ref. 2, brackets added). To "trust" in the Lord means to be confident, sure, and secure in the Lord (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 3).
Commit your way to the Lord
In Psalm 37:5, the scripture instructs us to "Commit your way to the Lord." Let's look into the word meanings for "commit" and "way" in this phrase.
a. The Hebrew word translated as "commit" literally means to "roll" or "roll away" (Ref. 4, Genesis 29:10). The idea is for a person to roll or roll away a large stone (figuratively, a burden) which is too heavy for them to bear from themself onto the Lord, imploring his help (Ref. 5). b. The Hebrew word derek translated as "way" in Psalm 37:5 has both a literal and a figurative meaning. Derek literally means way, road, distance, journey, or manner (Ref. 6). Figuratively, derek means our entire course or journey of life (Brown-Driver-Briggs -- Ref. 6). When we confidently commit our "way" to the Lord, we entrust him with our life's journey including all of our cares, burdens, plans, and business. Similar verse:
Trust also in Him
Committing your way to the Lord and trusting in him go hand in hand. Trusting in the Lord means putting your confidence in him (Ref. 3). When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us, on him, we have confidence that our life is in good hands (Ref. 8).
Similar verses:
And He will do it
The Hebrew verb translated in Psalm 37:5 NASB as "will do it" means literally to do or make, and more broadly, to accomplish (Ref. 10). The English Standard Version translates this phrase as "He will act" (Psalm 37:5 ESV). The King James Version translates this phrase as "He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5 KJV).
When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us onto our Lord Jesus, we have confidence and are sure that he will act and that he will guide us in the way that he determines is good (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:9).
Apply. Every day, in prayer, commit yourself and your way to the Lord Jesus. Ask him and seek his direction for your life, that you may walk in the purpose he has for your life (Matthew 7:7). Ask him to give you wisdom for your plans and decisions (James 1:5). Trust him to provide for your needs in accordance with his will (Philippians 4:19, 1 John 5:14). Cast your worries and burdens onto him (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). Confidently know that the Lord Jesus will act in your behalf (Psalm 37:5). He will bring to pass what is good for you according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Thank the Lord and praise him for his answers to your prayers (Philippians 4:6 TLB). Tell others, with gratitude and humility, what God has done for you (Psalm 66:16). Your witness will encourage other people to commit their way to the Lord.
Related Lessons
"About the Way" - John 14:6 "The Way of the Lord (Old Testament)" - Deuteronomy 5:33 "Cast All Your Anxiety on Him" - 1 Peter 5:7
References
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/ 2. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/37.htm Pulpit Commentary - Psalm 37:3 3. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm 4. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1556.htm 5. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/proverbs/16.htm Matthew Poole's Commentary - Proverbs 16:3 6. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1870.htm 7. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4639.htm 8. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/king-en/psalms/37.htm Kingcomments Bible Studies - Psalm 37:5 9. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/734.htm 10. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6213.htm
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Enter through the Narrow Gate -- Nags Head (NC, USA) Beach Sunrise - Photo by Whitney V. Myers
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
This lesson is intended primarily for young people -- youth and young adults. You are considering the path or direction for your life. You may be feeling the call from Jesus Christ to commit your life, your way, to him. Yet, the world is attractive to you; its ways are enticing you (1 John 2:15-17). You may be feeling the world pulling you in opposition to the call of commitment to Jesus Christ. You are at a "fork in the road." Which way will you choose?
This lesson encourages you to enter through the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ and to follow Jesus on the path that leads to life. 1. Choose Jesus Christ instead of the world
Make the decision. Choose to enter the kingdom of God by the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ himself.
The broad way of the world may be attractive to you - for example, desire for "success" in the world's eyes, accumulating wealth, and prestige. Yet, Jesus says the broad way leads to destruction -- life cut off from Christ, ruin, or loss (Ref. 1). That ruin or loss can occur during this earthly life, for example, from love of money (1 Timothy 6:9, Matthew 6:24), or at the final judgment (Revelation 20:15). Even though God does love the people of the world and sent his Son to save us (John 3:16), Jesus' disciple John warns us not to love the things of the world such as pride and lust (1 John 2:15-17). 2. Search for and find the narrow gate
Jesus said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14, italics added). The implication from this verse is that instead of our choosing the broad way of the world, we should actively search for and find the narrow gate which is Christ. The Greek word for find in Matthew 7:14 means find, learn, discover, especially after searching (Ref. 2). Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).
3. Enter through the narrow gate by faith in Christ
Enter through the narrow gate by placing your faith and trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ. God has ordained that the path to life and the way to God the Father is through his Son. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus also said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture" (John 10:9).
4. Follow Jesus -- the way that leads to life
Jesus himself is the way that leads to life (John 14:6, Matthew 7:14). The life that Jesus leads us to is full in both the physical and spiritual sense (Ref. 3). Jesus promises believers an abundant life (John 10:10) -- a life filled with purpose, growth, work, and service.
Note that as we follow Jesus on the path that leads to life, the path is not easy. In Matthew 7:14 Jesus said "the way is narrow that leads to life." The word narrow in narrow way in Matthew 7:14 means constricted by pressure, and implies trouble and affliction (Ref. 4). Despite the obstacles that we will encounter on the way that leads to life, Jesus promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20); he gives us the Holy Spirit to help us (John 14:16, John 16:13). Jesus promises that he will lead us as we follow him on the way to our heavenly Father and to our heavenly destination (John 14:6, John 14:2-3).
Apply. Make the decision. Choose the way of Christ instead of the way of the world. Search for and find the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ himself. Enter through the narrow gate by placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Choose to follow Jesus on the path that leads to life and to our Father in heaven.
Related Lessons
"Psalm 37:5 Meaning - Commit Your Way to the Lord" "Jesus is the Door" - John 10:7, John 10:9 "Jesus is the Way to the Father" - John 14:6 "Do Not Love the World" - 1 John 2:15 |
Daily Bible Verse(On my new Bluesky account) AuthorMr. Whitney V. Myers. Christian. For more information, please visit the Author Page. Posting ScheduleI plan to provide new postings about once a month. Planned Topics(subject to change) Recent Posts(most recent three months) Popular Posts(top 10) Categories
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"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." -- Jesus speaking in John 14:6 
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