Introduction

A young man announces to his wife and four children, “I’m leaving.” Then goes outside, sits down by a tree, puts the barrel to his temple and  pulls the trigger.

WHY? Because he was driven by WORRY. Worry over his unemployment, his crumbling marriage, the apparent hopelessness of his situation. Worry fills hospital beds with psychosomatic illnesses induced by worry. Worry packs mental hospitals with people who cannot cope with the fears and anxieties of everyday life. Worry drives people to prematurely end their lives in a futile effort to escape. BUT, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! God has given us a better way.  He has given us an answer:

Scripture: Psalm 37:3-7

1. Trust in the Lord, Psalms 37:3

I. For Salvation: Phil. 1:6 “He who began a good work in you…will carry it on to completion.” NIV

II. For mercy: Psa. 32:10 “…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

III. Trusting implies NOT KNOWING all the answers: Prov. 3:5 “Trust in the Lord…lean not to your own understanding.

IV. Strength comes from trusting God: Isa. 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever,                     for…the Lord is the Rock eternal..”

V. ALL OUR NEEDS are provided for in trusting Him: Phil. 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your needs…”

2. Delight in the Lord, Psalms 37:4

I. “Delight” means to “enjoy” Akin to the loving relationship of a husband and wife.

II. Treasure God for Who He is

III. Feast on His presence, Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

IV. Desire his will for our lives.

V. Enjoy His Word and His presence.

VI. See life’s situations through His eyes.

VII. This kind of relationship is not automatic, it must be cultivated.

3. Commit your way unto the Lord, Psalms 37:5

I. More than just a verbal affirmation.

II. Chicken & Pig to give king a nice breakfast of ham & eggs. For the chicken it’s a sacrifice, for the pig it’s total commitment!

III. COMMITMENT implies forsaking all other avenues.

IV. Not an easy thing to do. In Acts 27:30-32 in the Mediterranean storm, Paul commanded the sailors to cut away the lifeboats;  that took commitment.

V. Most of us leave our burdens at the altar, but keep coming back to pick them up                 again.

VI. There’s no sense in both you and God being concerned about a problem; let Him handle it!

4. Rest in the Lord, Psalms 37:6-7

I. How often we overlook this fourth point. There is a rest available to the child of God if only we will avail ourselves of it!

II. Implies patience, peace, and calmness.

III. Jesus promised us rest: Matt. 11:29 “Come unto me…and I will give you rest.”

IV. Resting in the Lord reduces anxiety… READ THIS VERSE: Phil. 4:6-7

V. Resting in the Lord frees our energy to be more productive for the Lord.

5. Conclusion

There is no reason why a Child of God should ever be consumed with worry.  To worry is to doubt God!  Would you like to proclaim your freedom from worry tonight? Come to this altar as a proclamation of faith to Trust, Delight, Commit, and Rest in the Lord.