Chapter 7: Ep 3: Girl God Got You: Psalm 37 of Trust and Provision and Faith Declaration

0:00 Hello, and welcome back to Diary of Black Women, the podcast where we dive deep into faith, life, and incredible ways God moves in our lives. I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so glad that you are here with me today. We are in our final episode of Girl, God Got You, Stories of Unseen Miracles and Provision. We're going to continue with our final episode of today's episode. We're going to delve into Psalms to see how King David trusted in God's provision and protection. And even in his most challenging times, this will remind us that no matter how much we face or no matter what we face, face.

0:49 God is faithful and his provisions is always on time. So settle in, grab your Bible. We'll be in Psalms 37 today. Keep it nearby. And let's explore how God's unseen miracles and provisions are at work in our lives today. So thank you so much for joining me today. So let's get started. So good. So good. So good. So Psalms 37 is really one of my favorite Psalms. When things get tight for me, I go to Psalms 37, Psalms 91. We know we always run a Psalm 91. So Psalms 37 and Psalms 91.

1:32 Psalms 37 I like because it's very comforting, but also if you read it, it tells you what God would do to the enemies, right? You always want to know, Lord, what you're going to do to those enemies. But I don't know if we're going to cover that today, but today we're going to probably focus on his provision, his timing, his care for his righteousness, his support, his faithful provision. And we're going to just learn how to trust in God's timing and his faithful support for his righteous. So let's go. So in Psalms 37, David's filled with wisdom and counsel for those who are striving to live righteously in a world that seems unjust.

2:16 This Psalm contrasts the fate of the wicked with the security of the righteous. So when you read it, you'll read it. It'll be like, this was going to happen to the bad. It's going to happen to the good. And when you're in one of those moods where you need to know what's going to happen to someone who did you wrong, this is one of those Psalms. And I think that's why I read it. I was in my day, I had some drama going on and the Lord gave me Psalms 37 and Psalms 91. Psalms 91 is very comforting, you know, but Psalms 37 is a fighting Psalms and it's very supportive in what God will do to your enemies, right? And so we want, and Psalm 91 has some fighting in it too, but Psalms 37, oh yeah, it's a long Psalms.

3:02 So don't get me wrong, it's a long Psalms, but you read it and you can get your righteous anger going. And so I want to just get to Psalms 37. Okay. And it says throughout Psalms 37, we see a reoccurring theme. The righteous are called to trust in the Lord, to commit their ways to him and to delight in his commands. This Psalm assures us that God is faithful, that he sees our needs and that he will provide for those who live in accordance with his will. So let's take a closer look at these verses and these themes.

3:43 So we see here, the key is that at least in all of, we talked about Abraham in episode one, episode two, we had Joseph, Episode three, we're Psalms 37. Psalm 37, the connection is that when we trust in God, then he is faithful and just to provide and give us and provide for us, right? And so he's always looking for that trust in him. You faithful to God, he is faithful to you, right? So let's go to Psalms 37, 1 verses 1 through 5. Like I said, I read them in groups, but just take time and read them.

4:24 Yeah, read them. Just read Psalms 37. So Psalms 37, 1 through 5, it says, trusting in the Lord's provision. It says, do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. For like the grass, they will soon wither. Like green plants, they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will do this. You see this first set of Psalms, what is God asking us?

5:09 He says here, fret not, but then he focused in, he says, trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord and said, and he will do this. These verses remind us that our focus should not be on prosperity of the wicked, but rather on trusting in the Lord and doing good. These promises here is profound. If we delight in the Lord and commit our ways to him, he will provide for us, giving us the desires of our hearts. His passage encouraged us to this passage encouraged us to place our trust in God's provision, knowing that he is fully aware of our needs and in his faithfulness to meet them.

6:01 I love this because it starts out with what you should be looking at. A lot of times right away when we're looking at it says, do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. And a lot of times when we're going to Psalms, I remember I went to Psalms, someone that did me wrong. And I said, whoa, and God has a verse for that. Come on now. God has a verse for that. And right away, he says, don't even look at what they're doing to you. Take your focus off of what they did to you. And then he says, swoop, swoop and put your focus on me. Keep your focus on me. Trust in the Lord and do good.

6:46 He says, take delight in the Lord. It says, commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will do it. So take your eyes off of what other people are doing, what the evil is doing, what they think they're getting away with it. I always say evil has a deadline. Their time is limited. So they're going to act up, but you keep your eye on the Lord and he will do this. It says, these verses remind us that our focus should not be on the prosperity of the wicked, but our eyes should be on the Lord. God is fully aware of what we need.

7:26 He is fully aware of what we need. Trusting in the Lord involves more than just belief. It requires us to actively commit our ways to him, to live out our faith in tangible ways, and to find our joy in his presence. This kind of trust brings peace and security, even when the world around us is filled with uncertainty. And so no matter what's going on around you, you just have to block all that stuff out and just put your focus on the Lord. He tells you right away in verse 37, 1, fret not, fret not. Don't look at them.

8:11 Don't care what they're doing. Just don't worry about them. Just focus on me. Just focus on me. Let's go to Psalms 37 verses 7 through 9. And it says, Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath. Do not fret, it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

8:52 Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. These verses emphasize the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. In a world where it's easy to become frustrated or disheartened by the success of those who do wrong, Psalms 37 encourages us to be still before the Lord and wait patiently for his justice and provision. Anger and worry only leads to more harm, but those who place their hope in the Lord are promised a lasting inheritance. This passage teaches us to focus on God's eternal promises rather than the fleeting successes of others.

9:37 By trusting in God's timing, we can rest assured that he will bring about what is right and just in perfect timing. And what I realized in this is that, you know, as Christians, we always seem like we're like a day late. You ever notice that? Like we're a day late. People are prospering around us and we're like a day late. We seem like we're struggling. We don't have it going on. But then a time comes, and I think it's the season that we're in now, where the evil has reached an end.

10:17 Evil has reached an end. The stuff that we thought we wanted and the people who we had probably put by accident, like, wow, we like this style, we like what they wear. We didn't know what they were doing behind these closed doors, right? We didn't know the evil that was being stirred up behind these closed doors. We didn't know what these stars were selling their soul out for to be in these positions. But we as Christians, we kept praying and fasting, doing what God would have us to do. You know, wanting the best, but not willing to sell our sold off for the best. And now we're seeing what even in the churches, even in every industry is, is got some exposure going on.

11:05 But those who keep their eyes on the Lord, those that keep their eyes on the Lord, God said, we won't be ashamed that we will get double for our trouble. Right. And so we just got to keep our focus on the Lord because we're seeing some things that even in our lifetime that we didn't think that we would see, but God is showing us that as we focus on him, he's going to show us who was faking and shaking, who was real and who was not. You know, doesn't it make you focus more on him? You know, it's a little distracting because we're going like, dang, We didn't know. We didn't know.

11:45 You know, I had to clean out my library with some of these books of other pastors that have failed. I was like, you know, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. So, sorry, I'm just going to go back to my basic foundational roots and just start from all over and refresh my spirit because, you know, I don't want to be left behind. Hello. Right. So let's go to Psalms 37, 18 to 19. The Lord's care for his righteousness. The blameless spend their days under the Lord's care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster, they will not wither. In days of famine, they will enjoy plenty.

12:28 Here we see the beautiful promise of God's provision for the righteous. Even in the times of disaster or famine, those who are blameless, those who live in accordance with God's ways, are assured of his care. This doesn't mean that the righteous will never face hardship, but rather that God will sustain them through every trial, providing that they will not only survive, but thrive. This passage is a reminder that God's care for us is constant. Even in the most difficult circumstances, our security is found not only in our circumstances, but in our relationship with the Lord.

13:17 When we trust in him and live righteously, we can rest assured that he will provide for us in every season. So it's so important to know that God cares for the righteous. And he says, it says, in the days of famine, they will enjoy plenty. In the days of famine, they will enjoy plenty. He tells us in Psalms 37 and 1, fret not that those who do evil. But then he tells us in verses 18 to 19 that he cares for the righteous. And so you want to make sure that you keep your eyes on God and just wait patiently for him. because he does care for his own.

14:03 Let's go to Psalms 37, 23 to 24, God's guidance and support. The Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in him. Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. The verses provide reassurance that when we delight in the Lord, he will guide our steps and support us along the way. We may find challenges and stumbles at times, but we are never abandoned. God's hand is always there to uphold us, to help us get back on our feet, and to continue to walk in his path.

14:44 This passage is an encouragement to trust in God's guidance. Even when the road is tough, our journey of faith may not always be smooth, but we can be confident that God is with us every step of the way, guiding and supporting us through all life's ups and downs. So we can trust in God's care for his righteousness. We can trust in God's timing. We can trust in his guidance and his support. And most important, go with me to Psalms 37 verses 25 to 26. One of my favorite verses says, I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.

15:32 They're always generous and lend freely. Their children will be a blessing. These verses reflect on the enduring faithfulness of God to his people. David the psalmist shares from his life experiences, they has never seen the righteous forsaken or their children left in need. This testimony speaks to the consistency of God's provision, the righteousness who trust in the Lord and live generously, experience God's blessings, not just in their own lives, but also extending to their children. This passage challenged us to live generously, trusting that God's provision is more than enough.

16:18 When we align our lives with God's principles of generosity and faith, we can be confident that his provision will always be there, both for us and our future generation. So we never see our seed begging bread. I love that. I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. So God said he watches over us even in that generational blessing. And so even if your child is, they're working hard, right? But they ain't out begging for bread. That God blesses our generation as we are being faithful to him. How powerful is that?

17:05 Can you do it for your children? Be faithful to God for your children. A couple of points I want to cover is trusting the Lord. The verses that we explore today in Psalm 37 repeatedly call us to trust in the Lord, especially in times of difficulty. The trust is not passive. It's an active decision to place our confidence in God's care and provision. Even when life is challenging, we are encouraged to commit our ways to the Lord, to delight in Him, and to wait patiently for His timing. Trusting in the Lord brings peace, even when the world around us is in turmoil. Wow. In what areas of your life is God calling you to trust him more fully?

17:51 Are there situations where you're tempted to worry or take matters into your own hands rather than resting in his provision? Psalms 37 encouraged us to release our anxiety and trust that God is faithfully guiding our steps. Living in faith. Psalm 37 also teaches us about living a life of faith and righteousness, knowing that God would not forsake his people. The righteousness are described as those who trust in God, do good and live generously. These psalms remind us that our faith should be lived out in our action.

18:37 Is how we treat others and in our trust in God's provision. When we live this way, we reflect God's love and faithfulness to the world around us. Consider how we can apply these principles to your daily lives. Are there areas where you can step out in faith and trust God more deeply and live more generously. God promises that we can commit our ways to him and we can live and we can guide and he will guide and provide for us. So God is here is challenging us in two different ways. Like one, can we trust him more fully?

19:19 You know, is there ways that we can say we can trust him more fully? Can we be like Abraham? Can we let go of some things he's been telling us to let go of? You know, Joseph, can we let go of some bitterness and get involved in some reconciliation? And in Psalms, can we just put our eyes on Jesus and not be so concerned about how God's going to pay our enemies back? Can we focus on that generational blessing where we never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread? You know, how can he guide us better? God wants to kind of lead and guide us better. So let's just take a moment here and let's reflect on how God can do more.

20:02 Because he says, girl, God's got you. But where can he get you if you're just still holding on to everything? Where can you let go and allow God to just do what he does? I like to say this, do what he's famous for, right? So let's take a moment and reflect on what we learned in Psalms 37. These verses offer profound encouragement for anyone seeking to trust in God's provision and guidance. How do these scriptures speak to your current situation? Are there areas where you need to commit to your ways to the Lord more fully? Where can you trust God and his timing rather than your own? I encourage you to spend time meditating on this psalm throughout the week.

20:45 Let the promises of God, cares, and provisions sink into your heart and allow them to guide your actions and decisions. Trusting in the Lord is a journey. And as we continue to place our confidence in him, he will be faithful to unfold in our lives. So as we close this segment, I want to go over to our decrees. I was going to make this another episode, but I want to just go ahead and close it out with these decrees. And so these declarations of faith is really about when we declare God's word, we're just speaking what God says, but we're speaking it in faith.

21:28 And so we're speaking in faith because we're speaking it in faith, right? So when we declare God's word, we're not just speaking empty words. We're aligning ourselves with the truth, who God is and what he has promised us. So declarations help us renew our minds, build our faith, and reinforce the reality of God's presence and power in our lives. They remind us of his faithfulness and keep our focus on his ability to provide and sustain us in every situation. And so I want to go over these declarations of faith. There's five of them. And so we're going to start in Acts 6, and this is decree of seeking God's direction.

22:10 And it says, and you can repeat after me or just listen and just receive it by faith. It says, Lord, I seek your direction in my life. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, I asked, what would you have me to do? Guide my steps and lead me in the path you have prepared for me. I trust in your wisdom and in your path for my life. So just as Paul sought God's direction after his encounter with Jesus, we too must seek God's guidance in our daily lives. This decree is reminded to continually ask God for direction, trusting he will lead us in the right way.

22:51 And so that's found in Acts 9, 6. James 1, 3 through 18, decrees of steadfast faith during a trial. So I decree that my faith will remain steadfast during trials. I know that the testing of my faith produces perseverance. I will not waver, but will stand firm, trusting that God is refining me and bringing me closer to the image of Christ. James reminds us that trials are opportunities for growth in our faith. This declaration encouraged us to stay strong during difficult times, knowing that God is using these trials to develop our character and faith.

23:36 Habakkuk 1, 2, 1-4 decrees of expecting God's response. I stand and watch and wait for your response, Lord. I know that your timing is perfect, and I trust that you will answer in the way, your way, in your time. I will write down your vision and make it plain, believing that it will surely come to pass. Habakkuk teaches us about the importance of waiting on God and inspecting his response. This decree is a declaration of trust in God's timing, his faithfulness to fulfill this promise. James 117, a decree of trust in God's perfect gifts. I declare that every good and perfect gift in my life comes from above and from the Father of lights.

24:26 He does not change like shifting shadows. I trust in your provision, Lord, and I'm grateful for the blessing you have bestowed upon me. This declaration is based on the truth that God is the source of all good things in our lives. It encouraged us to acknowledge his provision and trust in his unchanging nature. And the last one, decree of approaching God with confidence. I boldly approach the throne of grace and confident that I will receive mercy and find grace and help in my time of need. I thank you, Lord, that Jesus is my high priest who understands my weakness and intercedes on my behalf.

25:11 Hebrews reminds us that we can approach God with confidence because Jesus, because of Jesus. This decree is powerful affirmation of our access to God's grace and mercy and a reminder that we can bring our needs before him with full assurance and his love and care. So as we close this segment, I want to encourage you that the declaration is part of your spiritual practice. You know, speak them loud. You can create your own. Take the scriptures, your favorite scriptures, and create declarations of faith. Speak them boldly. Memorize. It's a good way to help memorize scripture too. And just begin to allow God's word to become more in our hearts and our mind. And they align with the word.

26:01 And we will begin to see his power at work in our lives. Remember, declarations are not just about positive thinking, but they're about speaking the truth of God's word over your life, standing on his promises and trusting that what he said he will do. Remember, God got you. And how do you know he got you? Because we build our faith on his word, and then we declare that word over our lives, right? That he's guiding us, that he's protecting us, he's providing for us, and he's giving us strength to face every challenge with confidence and faith. So let's close out our final episode with prayer.

26:45 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the power of your word and for the truth that it brings into our lives. Help us to speak your word with confidence, to declare your promises over our lives, and to trust in your provision and guidance. As we make these declarations, Lord God, as we trust in you, according to Psalms 37, May our faith be strengthened and our hearts be aligned with your will. We thank you for being faithful, for hearing us, and for being at work in every situation. We trust in you, Lord, and we commit our lives to your hands. In Jesus' name, amen.

27:27 As we wrap up this segment, I hope you're encouraged to start making declarations part of your daily routine. Remember, there is power in the words you speak. We saw that with Abraham. When Abraham knew he had to sacrifice his son, he says what? He says, the Lord will provide a lamb. And he just spoke in faith. We saw Joseph. Joseph was determined that he didn't bring up any of the negative stuff that happened to him when he was sold into savory. He said, this is what God, what you meant for evil, God meant for good. The words change when our relationship with God change.

28:11 So we want to be rooted in God's truth, speak life, speak faith, and watch how God moves in our circumstances. right? Thank you for joining me today on Diary of Black Women Podcast, our devotional series. Stay tuned for more episodes where we will continue to explore God's word and how he works in our lives. And always remember, no matter what, girl, God got you. Until next time, keep declaring God's truth over your life. Keep walking by faith. Keep trusting and obeying God. Keep forgiving and reconciling. And this is Connie Morris signing off. Be blessed and we'll see you next time.