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
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:
• 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:
• 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.”
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.
• 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:
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
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