Lilac Ministries

Bible Study Lessons

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Topic: The desire of our heart

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

We will be looking at a couple of Psalms this month, the first of which is Psalm 37. It opens with some interesting thoughts on how we can address situations in our lives that are best described by the question, “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Our group recognized that we have a real problem with this dilemma. It is very much like the Prodigal Son story. Why, after he squandered all the wealth his father gave him, should he get a party when he comes home? That seems so UNFAIR! Perhaps so, but what we really learn is that God loves us ALL so much that even the worst sinners are within the arms of his generosity. Now - this is not to say that good things ALWAYS come to people who behave badly, for Psalm 37 exhorts us to not “fret” about evildoers, for their days wither like the grass.

So - what is OUR reward for behaving righteously? One answer is that we gain a peace of heart and an improved spiritual relationship with God. We asked ourselves, “What are the desires of the human heart?” Our answers included money, friends, being loved, and knowing our lives have meaning and purpose. Living an unrighteous life generally does not bring depth to these blessings. Money comes and goes, and its friends with it. Carousing brings no meaning to life; it gives only momentary and fleeting pleasures.

After reflecting on some of these thoughts, we encouraged each other with the following bits of spiritual wisdom:

• Sometimes the Lord uses an evil circumstance to achieve a greater good.

• God is willing to bless everyone. “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matt 5:45

• Be consumed with what the Lord wants for us.
  
  Perhaps the best of all is this:
  
  Don’t get wrapped up in someone else’s life and circumstance. When we do that, we take away the blessings set aside for ourselves.