[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 37
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away” (Psalm 37:1-2)
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4)
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:5-6)
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7)
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil” (Psalm 37:8)
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous” (Psalm 37:16-17)
“Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever” (Psalm 37:27)
“Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it” (Psalm 37:34)
This Psalm was written by David when he was old. He shared his wisdom on his walk with the Lord. He encountered evil men and knew how frustrated when he saw the wicked prospered the the righteous suffered.
ADVICES TO KEEP US FROM FRETTING WHEN WE SEE INJUSTICE IN THIS WORLD:
- Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture (v. 3)
- Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (v. 4)
- Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do it (v. 5)
- Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (v. 7)
- Refrain from anger and turn from wrath (v. 8)
- Give generously and lend freely. Then you will inherit God’s blessings (vs. 21-22, 26)
- Turn from evil and you will dwell in the land forever (v. 27)
- Wait for the Lord and keep his way and he will exalt you (v. 34).
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED:
- The righteous will inherit the land and enjoy great peace but the wicked will be cut off (vs. 9-11)
- The Lord will uphold the righteous with their inheritance but the power of the wicked will be broken (vs. 17-18)
- The righteous will endure forever but the wicked will perish and vanish like smoke (vs. 19-20)
- The righteous gives generously and lends freely but the wicked borrows and does not repay (vs. 21, 26)
- The children of the righteous will be blessed and protected. They will inherit the land, but the wicked will be cursed and cut off (vs. 22, 28)
- The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just, but the wicked speaks lies (v. 30)
- The righteous waits for the Lord and keeps God’s way, but the wicked seeks the lives of the righteous (vs. 32, 34)
- The righteous has a future but the wicked flourishes like a green tree, but he will soon pass away and without future (vs. 35-36)
- The righteous will be delivered by the Lord, but the wicked will be destroyed and cut off (vs. 37-38)
RELECTION:
Have you been fretful when you see the wicked prosper? Do not measure yourself against others. God says the wicked may seem flourishing like a green tree but he soon will passed away and is no more. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, rest in His word and wait upon Him. For He knows your needs, your burdens and your life. Start giving, sharing and showing mercy. Study God’s word and do not depend on a pastor or others to feed you. Invest your spiritual account in Christ so that you can draw His inheritance of wisdom, peace and joy. Ask God to guide and protect you. Keep your heart with all diligence. Walk by faith and not by sight. Be perfect in the Lord and He will bless you.[:]