A psalm for Loved One
Loved One, don’t worry about self-centered people who only look out for themselves. Like the brown grass in your neighbor’s yard, they will fade. Like all flowers, they soon wither away. Instead, trust in the Lord and grow closer to Him. As a result, you will have a much better, fuller life.
Take delight in the LORD and what He wants of you, Loved One. When your heart is no longer centered on just you, He will give you what your new heart desires. Dedicate everything you do and are to the Lord Loved One. Trust him, and He will help you. When you do, Loved One, He will make you radiate like the rising sun, and the justice of your (His) cause will shine like the sun at noon.
Take time to be quiet when with God, don’t just talk to Him, let Him respond. Wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about self-centered people who have (temporary) success, or fret about their plans. Loved One, deal with your anger toward them! Don’t lose your temper, Loved One. It only leads to harm. Remember that self-absorbed people will fail at life. At the same time, those who trust in the LORD will enjoy it much more. Soon the self-centered will disappear forever. They will be gone and forgotten. The humble will live for a very, very long time and will live in peace and prosperity.
Loved One, you know that self-centered people love to take advantage of those of us who are generous. They laugh at what good people do and want. But the Lord has the last laugh, for He sees how they end up. They do their best to subdue and control the poor and the oppressed, to discredit and shame those of us who love God. Everything they do will backfire, hurting themselves and their tools of oppression and control. That’s why it is better to be godly Loved One even if you have fewer material things, than to be self-absorbed and have more. The temporary success and happiness of self-focused people will be shattered, while the LORD takes care of the godly. Every single day the LORD takes care of you, Loved One, and you will inherit what lasts forever. You will not be disgraced in hard times. Even in a famine, you will have more than enough.
Those that ignore the LORD are like flowers in a poorly kept garden: they will disappear like smoke. They borrow money and never repay, but you Loved One are a generous giver. Those whom the LORD blesses will have long-term success, those He curses … won’t. The LORD directs your steps. He delights in every single detail of your life. Though you will stumble, you will always get back up because the LORD holds you by His hand. He will help you get back on your feet!
Once I was young, and now I am much older. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children stuck in poverty. The godly give generously to others, and their children are a blessing.
Loved One, the less self-centered you become, the more you will enjoy life in the long term. Our LORD loves justice, and will never abandon you Loved One. He will keep you safe forever, but the prospects and hopes of the self-centered will evaporate. The godly will enjoy life more. Loved One, give people good advice; and help people see how to live life without being so self-centered. Make God’s priorities yours and stay on the path God has personally set for you.
Self-centered people believe that taking advantage of people like you, Loved One, will help them in the long term. They may win a few rounds, but they won’t be standing at the end! The LORD will not let them win, nor will He let godly people be condemned when they are put on the trial that matters.
Trust the LORD Loved One and what the LORD wants to get done in your life, even though it’s in his timing, not yours. Stay on the path He personally gave you, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. You will win in the end, it’s true!
I have seen selfish and cruel people have temporary, meaningless success, smiling and being happy. They were totally ignorant of what was going to happen to them and they just disappeared! Everything they did had fallen apart and failed!
Look at those who are honest and good, Loved One, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. Those that refuse to work with the LORD will end up vanishing because they have no future. The LORD will take care of you, He is your rescuer, your guide, and your best support. The LORD will help you, Loved One, especially in dealing with self-centered people who are clueless about life. Relax, He’s got this.
From the NAPSV
