The Lund: I Have Reserved Seven Thousand

I spoke at the Lund Youth Meeting last night. Despite the open windows and doors, the rooms became incredibly hot as they filled with 60-plus youthful bodies. They sang songs I mainly didn’t know, which is good, and they seemed to appreciate the message. I spoke on the first half dozen verses of Psalm 37:

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.


3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

 

5 Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,

And your justice as the noonday. (NKJV)

 

This is a salient passage for those who:

  • Might have worldly friends whose doings they are tempted to envy;
  • Are unsure of their futures and need reminding of God’s faithfulness and trust-worthiness;
  • Whose hearts might desire all sorts of things, but only those emanating from delighting in the Lord need entertaining;
  • Have no righteousness of their own to be brought forth, needing instead the righteousness of Christ.

Bemoaning the lack of young people professing Christ is common in rural churches where congregations are older. Yet of their generation, God can say:

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18