The ABC's of the Meek - Part 2

Introduction:

The promised outcome of the meek in verses 9-11 leads the psalmist to a series of contrasts between the meek and the wicked in verses 12-20.

This is presumably to encourage the meek to greater meekness.

Remember that meekness is the humble dependence and trust that is described in verses 1-8. It is the humble dependence upon the Lord which is forced upon the righteous through the difficult trials of life and the oppression of the wicked. And at first glance it does not look like the best way to walk through life. But the psalmist, David, is looking back on his life if meek trust and he is calling us to not fret over evildoers, but keep trusting in the Lord.

If you just look at the current experience/life of the wicked and the righteous you would most likely conclude that the way of the wicked is the right way. We know this is not true, but sometimes our faith is weakened by an undiscerning look at the world. So, the psalmist helps us understand it from God’s perspective. The Meek should keep trusting because:

The Wicked Plot Evil, but the Lord Laughs - vs. 12-13

This middle section of the psalm is filled with contrasting statements about the wicked and the righteous. These statements turn perceived reality on its head and they speak the deep and certain truth in a way which only God can.

The wicked obviously hate the righteous and want them gone. They gnash their teeth at him - just think of Stephen and his encounter with the angry mob in . They hated him because he was filled with the Spirit of God and was speaking with great wisdom and could not be refuted. They hated him because he spoke the truth to them about who they were and what they had done. They hated him because he spoke the truth to them about Christ. They hated him because he proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised Messiah and was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God. So, they gnashed their teeth at him and stoned him to death.

And this is a significant fact because it is usually the wicked who hold the positions of power and influence in societies. So, to have them angry with you is to have them seeking your destruction in real and tangible ways.

In all their plotting and thinking and planning, the wicked never think about God. They have a total lack of the fear of God before their eyes.

But God thinks about them. And when he does he holds them in derision. He mocks their wicked silliness. Like at the Tower of Babel when God decided to stoop down and check out what little man was doing in all their evil maneuverings. God laughs at the wicked.

Therefore, it is much better to be walking in the fear of the Lord and endure the evil plots of the wicked than to be on the side of the wicked and have to endure the sure condemnation of God!

The Wicked Purpose Harm, but They will Fall - vs. 14-15

Not only do they plot evil, but they also purpose harm. They draw their swords and bend their bows. They are ready for battle royale. They are ready to be done with the poor and needy and the upright. These upright people are in their way and are causing harm to their wicked plans. They must go!

But there is a boomerang effect to their harmful intents. The sword will enter their own hearts. Their own weapons will be used to destroy them instead. Their bows shall be broken. Their armaments for battle will be stripped away.

The perspective here is obviously a divine and ultimate perspective. This is not an immediate boomerang, but an ultimate one.

The Wicked Prosper Greatly, but Little is better with the Lord - vs. 16-17

Another point of contrast is given to us in a little bit different way in verses 16-17. This is a statement of application/exhortation. Since the truth of the previous 2 sections is true, then we should know that it is better to have little with the Lord than to have much and be wicked.

The abundance of the wicked is a generally prolific abundance. It is the abundance of many wicked. And this is difficult to see differently. We seem hard-wired by our sin nature to think that material success is right and good and an outward sign of blessing. But this verse blows that up without a doubt! Wealth does not equal approval from the Lord.

In fact, the Lord will break their arms. When you combine that with the statement about breaking their weapons in verse 15 that means their weapons, and the arms to hold them, will be done away with by the powerful Lord.

The wicked’s arms are broken, but the Lord’s arm upholds the righteous. He carries them through the trial of little provision and oppression by the unjust. He blesses them with their daily bread and carries them to His desired end.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

Notice that in each of these contrasts the wicked are doing or plotting, but it is not the righteous who respond and seize the victory. It is always the Lord’s work to uphold them and to protect them and to provide for them!

The Wicked Perish, but the Lord Keeps the Righteous - vs. 18-20

We return to the promised outcome of the meek. They are known by the Lord and they are kept by the Lord. He knows their days. He has planned each part, and they can know that their current trial under the oppressive hand of the wicked is a necessary part of His ordained plan for them.

Their current struggle will not eliminate their ultimate inheritance which is known and protected and kept by the Lord.

And though they know the current struggle, they are not put to shame. God will supply their every need with abundance in the days of famine. By “the days of famine” the psalmist is referring to the days of lack of rain in the land because the people of God have turned their backs on him. But there will always be a righteous remnant, and God will abundantly supply for them. Think of Elijah and the provision at the brook Cherith during the days of famine in the reign of Ahab. And that provision continued in the widow’s home. .

But the wicked will perish. They will appear great and glorious for a time, but like a meadow of grass, the winter will come and it will be gone. Like smoke, they will be overpowering for a moment in the eyes of the righteous, but before long they will waft away and disappear.

Conclusion:

Now think of how these glorious truths are preeminently illustrated in the life of Jesus Christ our Lord. They plotted evil and purposed harm against him and seemed to be prospering in their plans, but then the Lord broke their arms and turned their weapons on themselves and they have all perished, but our Lord remains! Consider Jesus!

English Standard Version Chapter 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.