As 2024 approached, I kept asking God what advise he had for me as a new year approached. Psalms 37 caught my attention a few days ago as it appeared on my phone in a text thread.

I felt like God was speaking to me and that this passage contained marching orders for 2024.

My life belongs to the Lord, and I never know what is around the corner, but this passage contains nuggets to anchor us.

TRUST

Psalms 37:3 (AMP) says, “Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.”

There is not much we can really depend on these days, but when we simply declare our trust in God and do what is right, God’s helping hand is right there.

Even when things don’t go as we plan, we can be confident he will work it for our good. When we dwell or occupy in our land, we live life, make a difference.

DELIGHT

Psalms 37:4 (TPT) states, “Find your delight and true pleasure in Yahweh (God), and he will give you what you desire the most.”

It is important that we are fascinated with God and what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. You are never alone; God is right there.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you; never will I forsake you.”

In simple terms, talk to him all day and look for God in your daily situations. He wants to be a part of your everyday life.

One of my prayers is, “open my eyes to see you in this situation from your perspective and keep me connected to you.”

Enjoy his company.

COMMIT

Psalms 37:5 (NIV) instructs us, saying, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this.”

Psalms 37:5 (TPT) tells us, “Give God the right to direct your life and as you trust him along the way, you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly.”

This is not a passive action on our part, it is giving him our day and plans, walking with him and resting in his love for us. When things don’t go as you planned, take a deep breath and know he is with you. That is the joy of giving him your day.

Commit in the Hebrew in this passage means to roll away. Roll your worries on to Jesus and let him carry them for you.

The rest of this verse says it will make us be a light for others.

BE STILL, WAIT PATIENTLY, AND DO NOT FRET

Psalms 37:7-8 is power packed. “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.”

We are instructed to quiet ourself, rest and wait. Too many times, people get all worked up about something instead of taking a moment to settle down. Step back a minute and ask God to help us see things from his perspective.

What is he saying to you? Ask the question, what does this mean and what must I do?

The last part of the verse is important. The word fret means “to be blaze up with anger.” When we fret about things, wring our hands, worry, it can make us angry. We lose.

In the days ahead in 2024, there will be some great days and some challenging ones, but this passage will keep us steady and on the right path.

2023 didn’t go as I had planned, and yet, I saw God each step of the way. I pray you will join me in trusting, delighting, committing and that you have great joy as you let him navigate your life in 2024.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native of the Hill Country, a podcaster, author, writer and speaker. Contact her at [email protected]. You can also purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” or listen to her podcast on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.