Living In The Gap!

February 17, 2026

Scripture

“Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.  But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”  Psalm 37:10-11

Living In The Gap!

One of the biggest spiritual challenges we face as Christ-followers is living in the gap between today when sin and wickedness and evil are prospering and the moment when Jesus will bring the fullness of His peace, love, and joy.

Most of us watch those who practice evil prosper in ways we are not; we often become impatient and maybe even angry.  We watch those who are hungry and homeless receiving handouts without any change in the systems that perpetuate the poverty; we often feel hopeless.  We watch our parents, our siblings, or our children choose to not embrace Jesus with all their heart; we often feel helpless.

When nothing changes that needs to change, we fret and we stew and we get angry and we get impatient.  If it goes on too long, we get to the point where we are ready to give in.  Far too quickly, we choose the path of despair, discouragement, and disillusionment.  We get closer and closer to giving up on another person, on our circumstances, on our world, and even on Jesus.

Sadly, just when we are about to give up or give in, Jesus is preparing to do something in us, through us, or for us.  David understood this very well.  In Psalm 37:10 David writes; “Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.”

David believes things are about to change; he says, “Yet a little while…”  The injustice, oppression, and pain we encountered last week will not last forever.  The Lord God is about to change our lives and our world…in a little while.

Living in the gap between the injustice and the oppression and the pain and the promises of God requires the work of the Holy Spirit in us.  If I want to live and love like Jesus in the gap between today and when God’s Kingdom comes in its fullness, then something has to change in me.

David reminds us the wicked will not last, evil will not persevere, and the power of darkness will not win.  In Psalm 37:11 David writes; “But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”  The promises of God (a promised place and a promised people!) will be fulfilled in great abundance for those who have a humble heart, a gentle spirit, and are filled with delight in the Lord God.

About 1,000 years after David wrote these words, Jesus stood on the side of a hill on the north side of the lake in Galilee and says almost the exact same words.  In Matthew 5:5 Jesus says; “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

The Apostle Paul speaks about being meek.  In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul writes; “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness (or meekness), and self-control.”  Paul tells us meekness is a fruit which is produced in us by the Holy Spirit.

I prepare for this work of the Holy Spirit in me by consciously surrendering my desires to the will of the Lord God.  As I submit to the desires and dreams and promises of the Lord God, my perspective of God changes, my response to the purposes of God changes, the way I see the trials and troubles in my life changes, and the way I love myself and other people changes. 

In other words, when I surrender my plans to the purposes of God, it becomes easier to be more gentle, more humble, and more patient; i.e., more meek!  The early verses of Psalm 37 provide a path towards nurturing meekness in our life.

First, trust in the Lord (Psalm 37:3).  Believing the Lord is with me and for me changes my attitude toward Jesus and other people.

Second, delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4).  Believing the Lord is worthy of my praise, worship, and gratitude changes my attitude towards Jesus and other people.

Third, commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5).  Believing the Lord will provide for me and protect me and guide me changes my attitude toward Jesus and other people.

Fourth, be still before the Lord (Psalm 37:7).  Believing the Lord will act if I wait patiently changes my attitude toward Jesus and other people.

Fifth, do not fret when others prosper and you are not (Psalm 37:7).  Believing the Lord will ultimately be generous and bless me changes my attitude toward Jesus and other people.

In Psalm 37:11 David writes; “But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”  The promises of God will be fulfilled in great abundance for those who have a humble heart, a gentle or meek spirit, and are filled with delight in the Lord God.

I wonder if what our world needs most is more people who are living a life of meekness and gentleness while being confident the Lord will fulfill His abundant promises in them and for them. 

Reflect

Describe how you are living in the gap between God’s promises and presence and the prosperity of those who are wicked, evil, or sinful.  How can you surrender your plans and dreams even more to the purposes and dreams the Lord God has for your life?  Do you believe the Lord God has a place and a plan for your life?   

Pray

Lord God, I long to trust You more so I can surrender even more fully to your plan, your purpose, and your presence in my life.  I confess there are times when I struggle to surrender to You even when You promise to protect me and to provide for me.  Forgive me, Lord God.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.  

Act

Share with a friend how you intend to surrender to the Lord God each day during the next week.  Be specific about how you will surrender to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so you can trust the Lord will protect you and provide for you.