This morning I was reminded of the assurance we can have in God, even in (or especially in) the tough times—the times when evil seems to be winning and righteousness losing. As verse one implies, sometimes we fret because of evil; sometimes we are even envious of those who do wrong. Sometimes I don't understand why bad things happen to "good" people and good things to "bad" people.

I doubt I will understand that fully until Jesus can explain it to me under the tree of life, but one thing I do know, focusing on evil will never bring me victory or encouragement. It will not strengthen me, focus me, or lift me up. If I can't answer the question of "why," and if I can't be strengthened by dwelling on it, what should I do when that question inevitably arises?

Psalm 37 provides an answer. Its message for me is a rediscovery of what I can do, and also what God will do. I found nine positive steps I can take, and nine responsibilities God says He will take. Here is a my-jobs-God's-jobs chart.

My jobs:   

1.    Don't fret or be envious of evil  

2.    Trust in the Lord   

3.    Delight yourself in the Lord   

4.    Commit your way to the Lord   

5.    Be still before the Lord   

6.    Turn from evil and do good   

7.    Wait for the Lord and keep His way   

8.    Consider the blameless, observe the upright   

9.    Take refuge in Him

My focus must be on trusting God and following Him. When that is hard, I need simply to commit myself to Him and stay close to those who have already done that. Focusing on doing good, depending on God, delighting myself in Him, and directing my attention toward His ways—these are my jobs.

God’s jobs:   

1.    He'll deal with evil   

2.    He'll help me enjoy safe pastures   

3.    He'll give me the desires of my heart   

4.    He'll make my righteousness shine like the dawn   

5.    He'll take care of those who hope in Him   

6.    He'll help me live securely   

7.    He'll exalt me and help me see the big picture   

8.    He'll prepare a good future for me if I live in peace   

9.    He'll help and deliver me

God takes care of problems and He takes care of distributing justice—in His time. He also takes care of us in His way. He is God and I trust Him.

Each of my nine responsibilities are directly linked to God’s responsibilities. Check it out. For example, number six: If I turn from evil and do good, He will help me live securely. There seems to be an "if—then" correlation in this Psalm. My problem is that I usually worry too much about God's part—which I can't fix—and not enough on my part—which I can accomplish.

This Psalm helped me refocus. I pray it can do the same for you.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.