God’s Guidance and Care for Those Who Do Right
Psalm 37:21-33 offers wisdom about living a life that’s fair, honest, and kind. The main idea is that God wants us to do what’s right—pay our debts, treat others fairly, and always show mercy. If you have the ability to pay what you owe, you should; not doing so is wrong. On the other hand, it’s a tough spot if you truly can’t pay your debts, and that brings its own struggles.
A person with a truly kind heart doesn’t just act merciful every now and then—they are merciful all the time. The message here is that true religion, or real faith, means leaving behind bad habits, doing good, and holding onto those good ways. When we live like this, God’s blessing becomes the source of everything good in our lives. If we trust Him, we can be confident that He’ll take care of what we really need.
God guides people who want to do good. He shapes their thoughts, feelings, and plans through His grace and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, God doesn’t show us the whole path ahead—He just leads us one step at a time, like a parent gently guiding a child. Even when good people make mistakes or fall into hard times, God doesn’t let them be completely ruined. Mistakes can hurt, but they aren’t the end of the story.
The psalmist (the author) writes, “I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” In other words, after a lifetime of watching, the psalmist says that those who do what’s right are never truly abandoned by God. They may face hard times, but God always finds a way to help them through. Sometimes people may feel alone, and even others might think God has forgotten them, but that’s never really the case. Even if it feels like God is distant for a while, He hasn’t left for good.
The idea is not that good people or their children never face poverty or need; sometimes they do. But it’s rare to find those who trust in God completely left in hopelessness, especially compared to those who choose a life of wrongdoing. Generosity is also key: people who are kind and give to others usually don’t end up in want themselves.
To put it simply, this passage teaches that walking with God—doing right, showing mercy, and trusting in Him—means you can count on His help and presence, even if life gets tough. You’re never truly on your own, and God’s care will see you through. In the end, those who stick with what’s right will always have a place with God, both in this world and the next.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 