Superman vs Kermit the Frog (2)

The Lord upholds the Righteous

Psalm 37:1 KJV 1900

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Be ye strong, courageous, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Yeah I get it, that's not easy to do. to be a child of God trying to do good and get ahead and NOT compare how well the sinners are having it and how much we struggle and lack.

We want to be like Superman, but too often we feel like Kermit the frog. Being made fun of by a smartaleck bear, getting pushed aside by a narcissist pig, or getting dumped on by everyone on your block, nope, its not easy being green.

Lets dive into the scripture with the first word of an amazing Psalm that really fits these times we find ourselves. Psalms 37

Fret, that sounds like something you might feel when you go to a restaurant and your silverware doesn't include a spoon. “OH I DOTH FRET MINESELF MUCHLY”

But when David wrote this, he was on the run from King Saul, who had an army chasing, to have him killed. “Fret” doesn't seem heavy enough a word to describe the upheaval David and his men must have felt. The betrayal from Saul. Fret seems almost like word to describe an aggravation I get.

David and his men were in Gath. a town of the Philistines, away from home. I told you about this last time I preached 1Sam 27, they were on the run, this doesn't seem like God’s plan for good Jewish boys. Have you ever found yourself in a position you really didn't want to be in? As a good Christian how come God doesn't open heaven and save us?

Didn't it seem easier before you proclaimed Jesus as your Lord? Nobody pointing out your every move. Granted nobody is trying to kill me [that I know of]. But doesn't there seems to be an endless line of folks ready to hinder our progress? Wasn't it easier before because no one would DARE pull a stunt like that against you because they knew retaliation would be swift and severe?

In Hebrew the word Fret takes on more fullness; FRET means to burn, to heat oneself in vexation, furious.

So what was happening? What was David and his men dealing with that had him pen a psalm? What was raising the fury of Davids men?

WHERE OH WHERE ARE YOU MY WAITRESS? WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME HERE WITH NO SPOON?

The advancement of the wicked and the disgrace of the righteous had to be an ever present display to David and his men. How many times do we see wicked, evil, sneaky, or crooked people prosper from their corruption, while honest people get passed by for promotion, get stepped on, or get used. It really seems like good guys truly finish last. The worldly get away with the most egregious of errors, while the Godly have their setbacks, and sometimes those are huge also, Magnified, and spread far and wide for the whole world to see.

Once when I worked at Hitachi Magnetics, I let out a swear word, that news that I swore, went around the factory floor so fast that my cousin Curt who worked in an entirely different section of the factory came to check up on me, That took less than 10 minuets. while others at the factory swore worst than troops when they find out the new Lieutenant they have been following, has them lost in the woods. The christian’s oops word was news.

Davids men saw how prosperous and advanced the persians were. They knew how Their God was to watch over them, prosper them. How their God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. yet these wicked persians with their false gods are living large in opulence. Yes, I imagine there was envy and questions. Not to say that anyone here would question God on why things are as they are. Or why God doesn't listen regards how you want something done or when you want it done. Fret was rising in Davids men.

In our society we are encouraged to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Lie, steal, cheat, crawl over whomever you must to succeed. Men are pushed to strive for wealth, power or pleasure. While women are told they need be independent, emotionless, and career driven outside of the home. these illusions are said to be the way to fulfill the desires within you. [Later we will read of the desires of our hearts] To do less is to be seen as apathy, weak, or lacking focus. To be a Christian and stand for family, country, and the Bible is seen as archaic and less “intellectually evolved”.

Davids men were the good guys, the mighty men! David was the hero of Israel. and yet here they are running and hiding in Gath. they see the wicked Philistines living large, worshiping fake gods and not being tormented. The wicked are prospering while they live on scraps. Doesn't God see whats happening? Doesn't God see whats happening to us as we scrape our way though while others are floating by?

So to know whats happening with God we can read His word and see what He says on the issue rather than just “don’t get angry” “don't envy” There is a plan!!

in vs 3 we see David telling his men to trust in the Lord.

Psalm 37:3 KJV 1900

Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Did you catch the trust and do good? Trust God, have confidence in Him, and as you go and do, choose to do good. Evil schemes may advance you for awhile. they may get you through whatever trial you are facing. It is the easy way. You’ve seen it work for the worldly, But God, is telling us to Trust Him and don't get caught up in way of the world, do good, not evil.

God didn’t just say “DON’T” but gave us an alternative. God has shown himself faithful and powerful enough, with capabilities and knowledge beyond our circumstances. And we can TRUST that what He has done before He will do so again.

To Davids men that must have been kinda tough to hear, to some here, or online it may be hard to hear. “Look how so-and-so is doing so good after what they have done” “Look at that persian eating the best with full cutlery and drinking properly stirred coffee to their fill”. Do these persians not have to work for their lifestyle? Why does YHVH allow them to prosper?

I’ve heard these words from Christians;

“How come they get ahead after I was just wronged by them”

“You don’t know what he or she did to me”

“When do we get our turn at the trough? I’m tired of having to scrape for pennies”

Its okay Kermit, God has a plan

Psalm 37:3 (KJV 1900)

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

The second portion of that verse give us a promise. Davids men knew what was being referenced when it was said the land. It was home, the promised land. The land of their ancestors, the land of milk and honey! Israel as God had promised. Im certain as you heard those words a promised land came to your mind. It may not have been a country or even property, but it was a promise you have been given. Or a desire of your heart that you KNOW lines up with Gods word. Milk and Honey sure sounds better than the diet you have been living on.

Trust God is on top of the situation. Trust in His process. Have confidence in His abilities. And be assured that His love for you is greater than the turmoil you are in. God’s word says trust and do good and you SHALL dwell in promise and be fed.

King James Version Psalm 37

4  Delight thyself also in the LORD;

And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

VS 4 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord. in other words, change your focus on what makes you happy. Change your focus on whats happening around you. Have joy in your worship, even being thankful for the advancements of those who have wronged you.

It goes back to doing good, when you are going and doing /and your doing is good/, then feel good about going and doing in the doing that the Lord wants you to go do.

There are some that will rewind that and check “what did he just say?” What it means is; if you’re doing “it” God’s way be happy, because you cannot be wrong. God’s way is always the right way.

Therefore delight yourself in the Lord. A definition of IN THE LORD is doing and recognizing the Lord is present in everything at all times and you are acting and thinking accordingly. If you are in a space suit or a scuba suit, [in the suit] you will operate in that suit regardless of how severe the environment, or lack of one. You will depend on the suit to get you through whats going on around you. Your safety is in the capabilities of the suit. Same as being In the Lord, you can operate in the world without the worry of its harshness. Jesus far exceeds anything in the world.

The Lord is God and greater than the creation or the stupidity that surrounds us. So don't focus on the harshness of the atmosphere or the lack of a spoon, rather focus on the plan and power of the Lord, on the blessings you already have. For the mission or purpose of God will be completed, in your life, your family and church. In all things, God’s plans will always be completed. And as we are In the Lord our desires our thinking, will be aligned with those Godly plans. As I said, Gods plans, which are now the desires of your heart, will be completed. It is recognizing, acting and thinking in the Lord that will bring true delight.

King James Version (Psalm 37)

5  Commit thy way unto the LORD;

Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [desires of your heart]

6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,

And thy judgment as the noonday.

David’s warriors knew what commitment was. their pledge to David, to his training, rules, leadership, and plans had carried them far from home and the security of familiar lands. Trusting their lives to David as their leader and his plan, then following through with the plan, had brought these men victory. They understood that David had faith in God. He was a good leader and that he was favored by God. Past victories and Gods hand upon their leader encouraged a commitment to David. We can look at the victories the Lord has already done at the cross and in our lives, and we can easily commit to His Lordship.

But commitment is an ongoing decision. You decide ahead of time weather you will submit yourself to the leader or not.{At one point they were ready to stone David, but then thy came around} Commitment isn't easy and its not a one and done. Especially when you are out of your comfort zone or are hurting. But God is telling us to commit ourselves to The Lord. To pledge ourselves daily to live a life submitted to God’s rules and plan.

Our society isn't good at commitment much less when the word submission is added or implied. We see the LONE WOLF as a persona to emulate. But in truth the lone wolf has been removed from the pack and will eventually starve. But a team that wants to succeed, or an individual who wants Gods best, needs to arise daily and consign himself to the vision of a competent leader. For the Christian that of course is Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit. “Not my will but thine be done”. We need to continually focus not on the wealth nor lifestyle of the worldly, bur rather focus on fulfilling the Lords plan He has for us each day. Make up your mind to trust in the Lord, doing whatever He has, no matter what others get, knowing that there is a plan. and it is good.

vs6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.

This part has poetic imagery that comes from a song writer. and Psalms are songs, written to be sung. The imagery given is pretty, light and bright. It doesn't say you'll be covered in gemstones, dripping money. but it does call you righteous. Has there ever been in a time of your life when that’s what you really wanted to hear because you screwed up big? I pray not. But there are times when money really isn't the cure. Like when you are tempted to not look at a situation or person with “christian love” When forgiveness is the last thing on your mind? When you find yourself sideways in life. Its being set aright that's what you really want and need. Decide to be in the Lord, and act accordingly, and you will be blessed. Noonday judgments are decisions you make that are full of light. Just that would have kept me from a lot of sorrows. But God promises being In The Lord will get you making righteous decisions.

King James Version (Psalm 37)

7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,

Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

vs7 begins with two concepts that must have been the real doings for the warriors of David REST and WAIT. saying it another way, as I understand the Hebrew

Put your emotions to the side and be in readiness, faithfully looking to what I, the Lord, am going to do.

Not really natural for young warriors to put aside their emotions,. and certainly waiting is not what we think of when faced with injustice. We want to go all man of steel on them and vanquish the injustice, but God says for us to REST and WAIT.

In Ephesians chapter 6 vs 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; this comes AFTER putting on all the armor and other offensive weaponry.

or again in Ephesians earlier in the letter; 6: 10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Wait Patiently, you’ve done your part, now trust that The Lord will do His part.

and the reason is pretty clear here; to not get bent out of shape over someone who is going the way of the world and seemingly doing better than us. “For evildoers shall be cut off”. True, they have caused an evil device to come to pass. But that isn't a surprise to God. He will use it for good.

King James Version (Genesis Chapter 50)

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive

King James Version (Psalm 37)

8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:

Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9. For evildoers shall be cut off:

But those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Psalm 37)

The prosperity of the wicked is short; and the pious, by humble trust, will secure all covenant blessing, denoted here by “inherit the earth”

Davids men had been at battle and on the run. They had felt victory and suffered alienation. They forfeited their ancestral homeland for a foreign land under control of the enemy, and they saw the persians living in luxury in lands that God had promised to Israel.

David through this song guided his men back to trusting the Lord by reminding them of God’s Promises and power, to not be concerned with what the persians were getting or how it seemed like they were being forgotten by God. But to remember God has been with them always and to look forward to the promises to come.

In summation; God never told us to be superman, never said we would have a silver spoon, nor even have an easy life. Nowhere in these passages does it say take actions against those who prosper outside of the Lord. Nor does it tell us that we are to even concern ourselves with their goings. It certainly doesn't leave us sitting on a wet lily pad. The Lord wants us to focus on Him, depend on His Holy Spirit, and be thankful to the creator God who will make all thing work for good.

we can;

not fret nor be envious

trust in the Lord and delight in His faithfulness, power, and love

commit our ways continually on God’s plans

rest in the peace that the Lord is in charge

and wait for what the Lord is about to do.

this is by far not an exhaustive list, but it does give us an alternative to feeling upset about others, by feeling insignificant or wronged, or by getting distracted from the great things God is doing in our lives by comparing it to the fleeting success of the worldly.

God will not ask you why you were not as successful as anyone else, but He will ask why you were not the best you he had planned for you to be.

Verse 17 completes this sermon by proclaiming;

King James Version (Psalm 37)

17  For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:

But the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Go now and be righteous. Looking at the blessing of being In the Lord. Remember whenever you get silverware, The Lord Upholds the Righteous.

May

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

AMEN