Day 21: Salvation Belongs to the Lord (with audio) | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37



Day 21 — Salvation Belongs to the Lord


Timely Message by Patricia Hudson from February 22


Psalm 37:39–40, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Key Thought: God is always our refuge and deliverer.

Prayer: I trust You, Lord.

As we conclude this 21-day devotional through Psalm 37, let us remember this is a wisdom psalm, not a lament. David is not “venting” or expressing frustrations. He contrasts the temporary flourishing of the wicked with God’s plan and provision for the righteous. Verses 39–40 serve as a summary of the entire psalm.

Some key themes we learned from Psalm 37:
•  Do not fret because of evildoers (vv. 1–2)
•  Trust in the Lord (v. 3)
•  Delight in Him (v. 4)
•  Commit your way to Him (v. 5)
•  Wait patiently with expectation (v. 7)
•  Meekness is not weakness (v. 11)
•  The wicked will perish (vv. 9–22)
•  God knows our days (vv. 18-19)
•  Generosity Reveals the Heart (vv. 21-22)
•  Our steps are ordered by the Lord (vv. 23–24)
•  The righteous are upheld (vv. 23–24)
•  God’s justice prevails (vv. 27-29)

David closes this psalm by reminding us who is in charge, what God will change, and where we are headed. Our identity and security are rooted in Christ. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord”
David emphasizes the true source of salvation: It is “from the Lord.” Salvation does not originate:
•  From personal strategy
•  From retaliation
•  From political advantage
•  From accumulated power

Systems, people, politicians, programs, and religions all promise some form of salvation—power to lift people to a better place in life. All of these may help in one way or another, but enduring salvation only comes from the Lord.

The Hebrew word for “salvation” means deliverance, rescue, victory. God’s salvation is both temporal and eternal, with benefits now and the blessing of a new reality after this life. We are not limited to only longing for the “sweet by and by.” God can grant some earthly heaven before heaven in the afterlife.

Do not underestimate God’s ability to empower victorious living while we are still living among all the perils of the wicked. Consider the words of the Apostle Peter: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10–11)

The “entrance” is experiencing heaven on earth while on the way to God's heaven. Note the responsibility to “make your calling and election sure,” which simply means to lean into God and His kingdom.

We read in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

New Testament Scriptures confirm God’s delivering nature:
Romans 8:31,  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work…”

“He is their strength in the time of trouble”
The Hebrew word for “strength” מmeans fortress, stronghold, and a place of protection. We don’t only focus on what God does, but who God is. He is not merely a rescuer; He is a refuge. We don’t have a transactional relationship with God by seeking “a blessing” when we need it. We live in a covenantal relationship with God, day by day.

“He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Remember:
•  Salvation originates from God alone.
•  God Himself is the refuge of the righteous.
•  Trouble does not cancel covenant protection.
•  Deliverance is certain, though timing may vary.
•  Trust is the foundation of divine rescue and progress going forward.

Psalm 37 ends where it started: “Trust in the Lord.”

I trust that you were inspired, encouraged, and educated through this 21-day journey through Psalm 37! It was a joy preparing these lessons and having contributions from Patricia Hudson, Stacy Williams, and Pastor Lee Robb.

“Every good thing happens on a Firm Foundation!”

Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
New Covenant Church


Reflection question: What are some takeaways from this devotional that have become foundational to your life going forward?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:






RESET: Practical Tools for Mental Health










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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
Learning to Trust God More Devotional

Day 20: God Loves Justice | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37



Day 20 — God Loves Justice

Written by Contributor: Pastor Lee Robb

Psalm 37:27-29, Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. 28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.

Key Thought: Justice flows from God’s character.

Prayer: Establish my life in Your justice.

Psalm 37 is written to steady believers whose faith is being tested by what they see.
• The wicked are flourishing.
• Corruption looks comfortable.
• Righteousness looks slow.

David’s answer is not political strategy; it is theological clarity. We must understand that justice is not something God occasionally does. Justice flows from who God is.

David calls for righteous living before he explains divine justice. Why? Because righteousness is alignment with God’s nature. If justice flows from God’s character, then evil is ultimately unstable because it contradicts the moral structure of the universe.
• God’s ways are not outdated.
• God’s standards are not negotiable.
• God’s moral order is not temporary.

You turn from evil not because evil isn’t profitable, but because it is incompatible with God’s character.

“For the Lord loves justice…” (v.28)
This is the hinge of the passage. David does not say, “The Lord tolerates justice,” nor, “The Lord occasionally enforces justice.” He says, “The Lord loves justice.”

That means justice is not a reaction but an expression.
• It flows from His holiness.
• It flows from His righteousness.
• It flows from His covenant faithfulness.

If justice flows from God’s character, then:
• Injustice cannot have the final word.
• Wickedness cannot have permanent footing.
• Righteousness cannot be eternally ignored.

Even when courts fail, when systems falter, when culture shifts, God’s character does not change. We can learn to trust God more when we realize that God’s character is eternal, but circumstances are seasonal.

Possession is opportunistic, but inheritance is covenantal. This means measuring your life by covenant promises, not by cultural trends.

At Calvary, it looked like injustice would triumph. It looked like righteousness was crushed. But justice was not ignored; it was satisfied. Mercy was not sentimental; it was secured. At the Cross, we see clearly that justice flows from God’s character. Romans describes God as “just and the justifier.”

The resurrection is the public declaration that God’s character cannot be defeated. The Righteous One was not forsaken. And because He lives, the righteous will inherit.

Reflection question: What is your response to God when you see the world reward evil and sideline righteousness?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

_____________________________________
Learning to Trust God More Devotional

Learning to Trust God with the Desires of My Heart | Patricia A. Hudson, M.S.



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When we delight in the Lord, He bends and reshapes our hearts so our deepest desires become God-formed petitions—fulfilled in His timing for His purpose and for the blessing of others.



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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

Day 19: A Living Testimony | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37



Day 19 — A Living Testimony

Written by Contributor: Patricia Hudson

Psalm 37:25, I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

Key Thought:  Faithfulness leaves a legacy

Prayer: Let my life testify to Your goodness. Lord, grant me the wisdom to convey these truths to the next generation in a way that connects them to You.

David gave a testimony from his own experience. He declares that he has witnessed and has been a recipient of the faithfulness of God. In biblical culture, age was associated with wisdom and authority, and elders were respected for their life experience. This was David’s conclusion after many years of observing and experiencing that God cares for those who trust in Him and walk in righteousness.

The assurance that the righteous are never abandoned aligns with God’s covenant promises throughout the Old Testament, where He pledges to be with His people. We can be confident of God’s faithfulness and His commitment to those who are devoted to Him. They were not forsaken, and their descendants were also blessed. The blessings of the righteous extend to their children, emphasizing the importance of a godly legacy. This part of the verse highlights the generational blessings that come from living a righteous life.

He states, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”

Seeing God’s faithfulness to His people, David wanted a younger generation to also trust in Him, learning from his wisdom. The transition from youth to old age is a common biblical theme, highlighting the faithfulness of God throughout the different stages of life. The blessings of the righteous extend to their children, emphasizing the importance of a godly legacy. This part of the verse highlights the generational blessings that come from living a righteous life.

“He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.”
He is ever merciful and lends: the righteous one not only receives God’s provision, but with a generous and merciful heart, he lends to others in need. Psalm 37:26 celebrates the righteous as people who continually give, eagerly lend, and see their children flourish. God is faithful to provide for the righteous, and He responds by extending blessing to the next generation. This verse invites us to trust God’s provision, practice active generosity, and rejoice that this same grace will touch our descendants.

Reflection question: How is my life, what I do, more than what I say, a testimony of your goodness and faithfulness?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:
Learning to Trust God More Devotional

Day 18: Ordered Steps, Part Two | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37 - February 21



Day 18 — Ordered Steps, Part Two

Psalm 37:23–24, The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Key Thought: God preserves the faithful

Prayer: Thank you for preserving me when I come short

If you have not done so, you would benefit from reading “Ordered Steps,” Part One.

We will focus on verse 24: “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Those who seek to be “good” and live righteously are not above mistakes and missteps. The Hebrew word for “fall” does not imply moral collapse. People actively seeking to serve the Lord and live righteously do not become sinful and wicked. The word “fall” speaks to stumbling, temporary setbacks, and circumstantial failure.

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:9

“He cannot sin” means wrongdoing does not come from his new creation nature in Christ. As faithful Christ followers, our “sins” (“miss the mark”) have more to do with engaging in lesser standards, such as failing to pray, serve, give, etc. Faithfulness to God does not impart perfection or eliminate vulnerability to mistakes or oversights.

Speaking to Christ followers, the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:7–9:
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John wrote to people already walking in the light and living by higher standards. Failing to acknowledge that we all come short at times is saying, “I have no sin” or “I never come short.” Living by higher standards is much different than living without concern for the higher standards of God’s kingdom, where people routinely ignore God's directives to pray, serve, give, etc. Failing in these areas does not put a person at risk of losing their salvation; they simply live in the reality of not pleasing God.

“He shall not be utterly cast down”
Because we are faithful and steadfast toward God, and as much as His grace empowers us to do so, when we come short, we are not “utterly cast down.” This phrase means hurled headlong, destroyed, and ruined beyond recovery.

We may fall, but we are not abandoned to ruin because we do not fall away from God. People who are good and whose steps are ordered by the Lord quickly acknowledge errors and make correction. Getting drunk, lying, or doing something ridiculous are not patterns in our lives.

This is in direct contrast to the wicked cited earlier in Psalm 37, who are “cut off” and whose “arms shall be broken” (vv. 9, 17). The wicked collapse permanently; the righteous always recover.

“For the Lord upholds him with His hand”
The Hebrew word for “upholds” means to grasp, sustain, hold firmly. The beautiful picture is of the Lord holding on to us like a parent holds his child to keep him safe, even when he stumbles.

Christ is fully engaged with His people day by day. This is why we delight in the Lord. He preserves His people; we live in covenant care and experience God’s faithfulness, which is always stronger than human weakness.

Reflection question: How do the sins of the righteous differ from the sins of the wicked?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:
Learning to Trust God More Devotional
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