Rooted and Ready

Trust in the Lord and do good; Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Psalm 37-3— NASB

Psalm 37 is a comforting song, a gentle reminder in a world filled with worry and injustice. Within its verses, we find profound yet straightforward guidance. Today, our hearts turn to verse 3: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

Two words in this verse particularly resonate: dwell and cultivate. They paint a picture of a life deeply connected to God’s promises. This life trusts and actively engages with His goodness. Let’s unpack these words and see what they mean for us right now.

The Meaning of “Dwell”

The Hebrew word translated as “dwell” carries with it a sense of settling down, residing, and living securely. It’s more than just existing in a place; it speaks of making a home, finding rest, and feeling safe. In the context of this psalm, the “land” isn’t necessarily a specific geographical location but rather the place of God’s provision, promises, and presence.

To dwell in the land means to make our home in God. It signifies a deep and abiding relationship with Him, a sense of belonging and security found not in earthly possessions or circumstances but in His unfailing love and faithfulness. It’s about consistently returning to Him as our refuge, our safe harbor in the storms of life. Think of a bird finding shelter in its nest or a tree deeply rooted in the soil – that’s the kind of settled security the word “dwell” suggests.

The Meaning of “Cultivate”

The second keyword, “cultivate,” speaks of active involvement, intentional effort, and nurturing growth. It’s the language of a gardener who diligently tends to the soil, plants seeds, waters, and weeds to bring forth a harvest. In this verse, the object of our cultivation is “faithfulness.”

This tells us that faithfulness isn’t a passive state; it’s something we actively work on. It requires us to nurture our trust in God through prayer, studying His Word, and actively seeking His will.

Cultivating faithfulness involves making conscious choices to align our actions with our beliefs, even when it’s challenging. It’s about allowing the seeds of faith planted in our hearts to grow and bear fruit through consistent effort and reliance on God’s grace.

What This Means for Us Today

So, how do these ancient words speak to us in our modern lives?

Finding Our True Home: In a world that often leaves us feeling restless and insecure, “dwell in the land” reminds us that our ultimate home is in God. We can find a deep sense of peace and security by anchoring our lives in His love and promises, regardless of our external circumstances. This means making time for Him, seeking His guidance in our decisions, and finding our identity in our relationship with Him.

Actively Growing Our Faith: “Cultivate faithfulness” challenges us to move beyond passive belief. It calls us to actively engage with our faith. This might look like spending time in prayer and Bible study, serving others, participating in a faith community, and consciously trusting God even when things are uncertain. Just like a garden needs tending, our faith needs consistent nourishment and attention to flourish.

Living a Life of Trust and Goodness: This verse links trust and action beautifully. We are called to “trust in the Lord and do good.” Our dwelling in God and cultivating faithfulness should naturally lead to actions that reflect His love and goodness in the world around us. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our lives should bear the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

(Galatians 5:22-23).

All In All

Psalm 37:3 offers us a powerful invitation: to find our secure dwelling place in God and to actively cultivate a life of faithfulness. It’s a call to deep connection and intentional growth. As we trust in the Lord and commit to doing good, let us also commit to making our home in His presence and diligently nurturing the seeds of faith within our hearts. May we be like trees planted by streams of water, deeply rooted and bearing fruit in every season of our lives.

I’m linking up this month with these AMAZING Blog Hop/Link-Up party hostesses!