READ Psalm 37:25-40

Many times in reading Scripture, we tend to think in terms of black and white.  We divide the what we read into two categories: saved and unsaved.  While this is generally true, there are many other divisions and qualifications.  Just because there is a promise in the Bible does not mean it is 'claimable' by every Christian.  The two categories, saved and unsaved, can be broken into several subcategories: hot saved (righteous), ungodly saved (cold), mediocre saved (lukewarm), while wicked can include everything from morally good unsaved people to vile unsaved people.  Most of the time, promises in Scripture addressed to God's children are for those that are termed righteous.  They are not the normal, average Christian who goes through life in a cold, indifferent attitude.  Lukewarm Christians may qualify for a few more, but the vast majority of the promises in Scripture (especially Psalms) are for the children that serve Him in sincerity, fear, reverence, duty, love, and fervor.  We need to keep these differences in mind as we read through the promises in the Bible.  Failure to distinguish between them could make one conclude that God does not keep His promises.

For example, Psalm 37:25 is David's testimony where he claims, "I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread."  This is not a health and wealth prosperity promise, nor does it apply to everyone.  Noah was found righteous, and Abraham entreated God to spare Sodom if there were righteous men in it.  It is interesting that he knew Lot and his family lived there, and yet he did not entreat God for just one righteous person.

Psalm 37:30-31 describes a righteous man.  "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."  I know many Christians that avoid the subject of persecution and deterioration in our country because they have a presumptuous attitude that God is bound to protect them regardless of their lifestyle and service.  Psalm 37:39 reminds us, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."