Friday, July 31, 2015

Entrusting Ourselves to Jesus





22 Out of the confidence that the Lord is enthroned (v. 19), the psalmist encourages the godly to reflect on his justice. In contrast to the treachery of man, the Lord will “sustain” the righteous so that they will not be overcome (cf. 37:23–24). The oracle of salvation encourages the godly to “cast” their “cares” (lit., “what he has given you”; cf. 1 Peter 5:7) on the Lord. For a similar expression see 37:5–7. Calvin, after struggling with this text, wrote:
It is not enough that we make application to God for the supply of our wants. Our desires and petitions must be offered up with a due reliance upon his providence, for how many are there who pray in a clamorous spirit, and who, by the inordinate anxiety and restlessness which they evince, seem resolved to dictate terms to the Almighty.… and there can be no question that the only means of checking an excessive impatience is an absolute submission to the Divine will, as to the blessings which should be bestowed. (3:344)[1]





[1] VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 397). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

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