Fret Not

Opening Thoughts

Today, we are going to talk about how a Christian </> is to keep our faith in the midst of great wickedness in our societies.

The world is nearing its end. According to Scriptures </> our times bear the marks of the last days. There are wars and rumors of wars. Nations are rising up against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. There are earthquakes and natural disasters occurring without end in various places on earth.

Further, our lawless societies have become like Bizzaro’s world (off DC comics)….up is down and down is up. Good is being called evil </> and evil is being celebrated as good! We live in a time where there are no absolute truths and truth is relative to man’s own vain imaginations.

How can a Christian live in the face of such prevailing evils? We know Jesus said that all these thing would take place in the last days, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Worst…..

When the wicked prosper, it can be troubling and vexing for the righteous. Witnessing evildoers thrive in health and wealth, enjoying an abundance of ease </> while mastering the evasion of justice is enough to cause anyone to wrestle with the question, “Where is God?” How long will they prosper in their ways </> while we suffer for His name’s sake?

Out of the anguish of our souls, we call on God to right these prevailing inequities, just as the Psalmist did (Ps 73:4-5), for they laid their complaint before God concerning the wicked:

Psalm 73:4–5 “For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.”

In today’s message, we will be encouraged by God’s perspective and plan for the wicked, enabling us to live with hope and persevere in our faith </> in Him </> in a world that is lost.

Lets us turn to our focus text for today: Ps 37:1-9

Fret Not Over Evildoers

Righteous indignation is a normal and natural response to evil </> witnessed and experienced in the world by the Christian (Jesus our example </> as he tore up the temple that the Pharisees and the religious elites </> had turned in the marketplace of commerce, thus preventing people from coming to God, their Creator).

We are repulsed by wickedness </> because of the Spirit of God that lives in us hates sin. How we respond to evils of the world is of great importance to God. If such anger leads to sin, it dishonors God and brings our gospel witness to open shame.

Therefore, we must be careful, because our outrage can easily allow wrath and vengeance to take up residence in our hearts. Murder can establish a mission control station in our thoughts.

Further, if we are not careful, we can secretly knead the leaven of envy in the dough of our hearts. We shall begin to desire their worldly fame and prosperity. This is why in our focus Psalm, David exhorts God’s people to trust in the Lord continually, which quenches the flames of anxiety about the wicked </> whose day of judgment is coming. 

Therefore, David offers the following two encouragements:

1-Do not be jealous of the wicked. If we are honest, it is hard not to desire the earthly advantages evildoers “appear” to have. But remember, what good is earthly prosperity </> that gains the eternal damnation? Jesus put it this way (Mk 8:36)*:

Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

You do not want to trade places with them! In our focus text, David reminds us </> that the wicked’s worldly goods and glory offer them no eternal hope (v2):

Psalm 37:2 “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.”

They have no future. David’s son (Solomon) rightly adds that even their pursuits will fade (Ecc 9:5-6)*:

Ecclesiastes 9:5–6 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.”

Again, unless they repent </> their end is destruction </> in the tormenting flames of hell </> where repentance </> is no longer possible forever. You don’t want to trade places with them. Do not desire what they have and who they are in the world, for it will lead to nothing. They are piling on their heads (like coals) judgment upon themselves.

Let’s move on to the next encouragement from David.

2-Delight in God. The real question then is, “What are we to focus on?” Fixing our attention on God in the midst of suffering </> builds trust. David promises that when we do, we shall be granted the (righteous) desires of our hearts (cf., Mt 6:33). When we delight in God in this way, he will be glorified in our lives, or as David puts it (v6):

Psalm 37:6 “He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

Amen!

So, if we were to summarize David’s encouragements, it would be this: Trust God patiently in all things. Such faith not only has an antidotal impact </> on poisonous effects of anxiety </> but also guards our hearts against the bitter roots of anger, which can produce wrath and murder in our hearts.

We should be warned, that if we place trust in ourselves, our hearts will be consumed by anger over evildoers. This mindset will lead us down the path of actions that will make us just like them, for David warns (v8):

Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”

Trust God, that we do not become the very thing we hate. Remember, he sees all things and will not remain silent (forever), but according to his timing and will, he will have the last say over evildoers and their wickedness in this world. Amen.

God Will Repay

God’s providential will and timing has appointed a day that he will repay the wicked. Having assurance of this promise, David encourages the saints to (v8):

Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”

We are exhorted to wait on God, for he will avenge us. To be clear, this Psalm doesn’t just make a declaration, but it offers details of God’s attitude towards the wicked </> in contrast to the righteous.

For example, David says that evildoers have no future, for God will cut them off. In contrast, the righteous (likened to the meek) shall inherit the land (reference to new creation) and delight themselves in abundant peace (v11).

Further, David offers two additional truths that should strengthen one’s faith.

1-The Lord holds the wicked in contempt. He despises their ways. Though they scheme in hidden rooms and rage against God and his people, David declares (v13):

Psalm 37:13 “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.”

God not only knows their end, but it is he </> who administers their destruction. In all of human strength and ingenuity, there is found no power to withstand our God. Neither can they stop his purposes (cf., Ps 2).

2-No weapons formed against us shall prosper. The arsenal they have built up, that they deploy to take down the righteous </> shall become instruments of their own demise; thus, David says (v14-15):

Psalm 37:14–15 “The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”

Considering their end, we should understand why God commands us </> not to envy their power and possessions. We should never long for their glory and goods.

Rather, we should imitate the attitude of Moses, who was raised in the knowledge and prosperity of the Egyptians. Still, Hebrews says that he chose (Heb 11:25-26), “…rather to be mistreated with the people of God </> than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (26). He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth </> than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the rewards.”

Likewise, David adds (v16):

Psalm 37:16 “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.”

Therefore, why should we trust in these truths? Again, consider their end, (v17):

Psalm 37:17 “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”

Therefore, let us not fix eyes on their ways </> which will sow despair in our hearts, but rather look towards God’s Word and be encouraged and built up in hope. Though we suffer for his name in this life, our hope in God will never fail. It will never put us to shame (Rom 5:3-5).

He has promised us a future, so we can trust Him with our present. We can entrust evildoers and their wickedness to Him </> to deal with. Because the battle is His. He will repay! Hallelujah!!!!

God Is Victorious

So we have learned from God’s Word, that the wicked have no future in the eyes of God. Even their present prosperity and aspirations have diminishing value </> when you consider their end, for according to David (v22):

Psalm 37:22 “for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.”

Retribution of the Lord is their eternal reward. In contrast, blessings are poured out on his people. Even when we stumble in our faith, backslide into sinful patterns, and make mistakes, it is God who (by His providential hand) </> charts our course and keeps us steady through the turbulence of life, thus David highlights the promise of those whom God delights (v23-24):

Psalm 37:23–24 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

What are three other blessings </> that God gives to those who place their trust in him?

1-God provides for our earthly needs. It is true that God prioritizes our eternal needs; however, our physical essentials are also important to Him. Remember, Jesus not only declared that he was the “Bread of Life” </> that fully satisfies our souls (Jn 6:35), but he also fed the multitudes loaves of bread (and fish). He demonstrated compassion and concern </> for their present daily needs, for he said to his disciples (Mt 15:32)*:

Matthew 15:32 “Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.””

With God we will not lack what we need, thus David affirms this truth from his own experience (v25):

Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”

God provides for all our needs, both eternal and temporal.

2-God protects (preserves) the righteous. Those who pursue faithful living towards God </> will produce the fruit of his righteousness in their lives. John taught (1 Jn 3:7)*:

1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.”

This is possible because God’s children will pursue </> a lifestyle of self-denial and repentance. By faith, we will strive to not be hearers of the Word only, but also doers.

By faith, we shall walk (live) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

By faith, we will strive (by His Spirit) </> to turn away from evil and do good in his name for his glory. Therefore, David reminds us that because the Lord loves what is right (v28), “…he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever…”

3-God gives us wisdom to navigate the choppy waters of this life. Thus, David continues (v30):

Psalm 37:30 “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.”

Once again, another blessing of our relationship with God </> is evident in His writings. God has placed His Word to reign within the righteous, thus David declares in (v31), “The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” (cf., Lk 6:45).

Remember, the wisdom of God is the light of our salvation. His truth shows us the way </> even when our hearts are in doubt. His Word comforts our souls and rejoices our hearts </> even when we are in the midst of sorrows and afflictions.

God’s Word comes down from heaven into the earth and will not return to him void. It will accomplish His purposes, because he puts his Word and Will in a people…..a community of faith (his Church, His Bride) by which his kingdom shall prevail </> against the gates of hell!

Dearly beloved, Fret not over evildoers. Trust that God will repay. For God is Victorious!

Final Word

Let us hold fast to the faith in these truths </> that the Word has reminded us of today. This is possible only as we trust in the character of God. Remember, trusting in God is not about how we feel or what we see. It is about what we know and what God has said!

Remember, the wicked (unbelievers) seek a future and hope outside of God, which ultimately leads to shame and everlasting hunger.

In contrast, God is our inheritance. Trusting in Him </> brings blessings that fully satisfies us in Jesus. Trusting in Him </> offers us as an appetizer in this life, followed by a full feast (of redemption) in eternity. Through it all, He preserves us and bears us up.

Do not fret over evildoers. Keep your faith in God.