The Threat of Evil Doers
Psalm 37:1-7
David the shepherd, psalmist, confidant to the king, and then himself a king often had reason to be concerned. From his youth until his death it seemed there was always someone fighting against him. Even his own son turned against him. Yet through it all David remained strong and faithful.
In the 37th Psalm David penned these words: “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Why is this important for us today? The original text literally says, “Do not heat thyself (in vexation). Do not worry or chafe over the apparent triumph of the wicked (see Proverbs 24:19_. As Christians we should conquer fretting, for in fretting we lose perspective and clarity of vision. Also, when we are angry with the sinners about us, we are unable to help him, and also put ourselves in the position of bring wrong.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
The Psalmist is saying the best antidote for fretting is trust in God and continual engagement in doing that which is of value to God and improves the condition of those around us. God directs us to dwell in the land and do not seek flight as a way of securing security.
David recalls his time tending sheep and how contented the sheep where as they fed upon grass. David tell us to pasture or feed on faithfulness and offers four things to keep the mind calm when perplexed over the conditions around us. (a) Trust in God, (b) Keep busy doing good, (c) dwell calmly where God puts us, and (d) seek God’s faithfulness.
If we chose and love what God loves, we shall enjoy the desires of our hearts. On our identifying our thoughts and aims with God’s plans for us.
God is asking us to Commit our way, or literally roll your way. The burden that is too heavy for us we may simply roll upon the LORD. David Livingstone is reported to have remarked that the verse sustained him at every turn on his course in life in Africa, as well as in England.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.
When people and things stack up against us and press all around us if we continue to trust in God, He will cause the clouds to dissipate so that our true character and motives may be as clear as the Sun at high noon.
God desires a people that will fully place all their trust in Him and He in turn has promised that no matter how tough the going is, these trials, these temptations, these burdens that we roll over to him will only strengthen our character. Perfect our character as He transforms us into his likeness.
Amen
The Bible In Your Hand 