Psalm 37:5—“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”
Each of us has a way. Young people particularly ought to be aware of this fact. They have just begun to walk in the way laid out before them. One speaks frequently of life’s pathway. God has, in His providence, determined that for each there would be a specific way.
The way, the path, of the child of God is always good. We know that God Who determines the way, determines that which will be for the good of the saints for Jesus’ sake. Our way will be to the glory of His Name and for our spiritual welfare.
But the way which is ours in the future is unknown to us. Your pathway may be one which leads into the armed forces and battle. It might lead into injury and even death. One’s pathway may be filled with suffering and affliction. It might include sickness and death. Persecution may be part of our way. All of these are real possibilities. And because we do not know the future, because we can imagine all manner of evil things which might befall us, we are often afraid. How shall we be able to walk in our way if it does involve trials and afflictions? Easily might one become discouraged and downhearted. The way of the wicked, says the Psalmist, often seems to be prosperous. But the way of the righteous seems often grievous.
Have you given much thought to your way? What will your life be? Into what work will you enter? Where will you obtain your schooling? Whom will you marry? What troubles will be your lot? Will you be rich or poor? Will you be healthy and strong or sickly? Will you have long life or one very brief?
Those are questions which might arise in your soul. But one is not to fret or worry about these. The Psalmist indicates the proper walk of the Christian in this regard: he commits his way to the Lord. Literally, he rolls his way upon the Lord. The figure used in the text is one of rolling a heavy burden from one to another. It is a heavy burden—therefore it must be rolled. And it is rolled upon One Who can bear it.
You could not carry the burden of determining your own way. Would you know what is best for you? Were we in a position to determine our own way, we likely would lay out a path of wealth, health, peace and ease. But seldom is that the way we receive. How would we know what we did need to prepare us for our place in heaven? Because of our limited understanding, because of our sinful flesh, we would make a mess of the directing of our own way.
But we roll our way upon the Lord. His is infinite wisdom. He then can know what is for my eternal welfare. His is almighty power. He can carry out that which He determines for my way. His is unspeakable great love. He can then direct my way in care and concern for me for Jesus’ sake. Our way must indeed be committed to the Lord.
Yet even in this we understand that it must be done in a proper way. We are inclined to worry—especially when that which is precious to us is committed to the care of another. When we loan something valuable to a friend, we can fear lest some hurt come to that which is ours. We have that underlying fear that only we can properly take care of that which is ours. We want to hold to the idea that ours is the wisdom and strength to preserve and keep that which is valuable.
But we are called to roll that way, which is very important for us, upon the Lord. But will He, after all, provide what we need? We might begin to doubt whether He really knows how much suffering we need—or how much health. We wonder if He will give us sufficient wealth to carry out our designs on the earth.
Therefore, the Psalmist emphasizes that one not only commits his way to the Lord, but in doing this, he trusts in the Lord. Trust involves full, complete reliance. Trust involves the consciousness that God does have the power, will, might and wisdom to do all things well—also the directing of my way. Trust means that we live in the consciousness that we are safe in His hands. We doubt not but that He will preserve and keep us in the way.
But how can we be sure? One might think that we are rather presumptive to maintain that our way should be rolled on Jehovah—and that we can trust Him to take care of this. He is, after all, the infinite God. He created all things and upholds them every moment. Does He observe me who am but a speck of dust? Will He not punish me for presuming so much? I have even greatly sinned against Him. Do I not deserve His wrath for all these sins—rather than believing that God will work all things for my good?
And, says this Word of God, He shall bring it to pass. That is, God does indeed direct everything. The sun, moon and stars are under His control. The rain and sunshine He sends in that proportion which He determines. War and peace are under His direction. My way is in His hands, too. And consciously I confess that this is the way I want it. He will direct my way for good. He will send whatever I need. There will be no “accidents” in my life. He Himself declares that all things work together for good to them that love God.
What will He give? That we do not know. But whatever it will be, it is what we need. Must we go through the fires of persecution? Then this we shall receive. Must we be given riches to test our faith—and faithfulness? Then this we shall receive. Will we need suffering and death? This likewise He will send. But always He will do this for our spiritual welfare and to prepare us for that place of glory.
In faith, then, you can face the days ahead. You can use your time and talents to the glory of His Name. You can develop that which has been given you. God will prosper your way for Jesus’ sake.
Then whatever your pathway may be, in that you can surely be content. There is no room for complaint when we know that whatever God sends is for our good. Whether we receive much or little, whether war or peace, whether health or sickness—with this we can be content. It is sent for our good. God directs our way for Jesus’ sake. We can thank Him then, when we reach the end of this life’s way that He has been abundantly good to us in our way. Is it not wonderful to have such a God upon Whom one can roll his way!

Originally Published in:
Vol. 29 No. 2 April 1969