“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 (NLT)
One of the most difficult realities for believers is maintaining the right God attitude when we see people around us who are succeeding through inappropriate means – lying, cheating, stealing, and the like – and then prospering from their misdeeds. How can our God allow this to happen?
Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “… there is nothing new under the sun.” And the background to David’s Psalm 37 finds the people of Israel living among the Canaanites who are doing every type of evil and appear to be going unpunished. They are, in fact, flourishing. The Israelites are envious and resentful. They want to leave Canaan and find a new home.
David’s psalm is an instruction and a sermon in trusting God and believing however terrible things may look for the present, it is far better to have the long view and believe in God’s promise that He will judge the wicked. “Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him…” Ecclesiastes 8:12 (NIV)
The soothing phrases from David are “be still” and “don’t worry or fret”. The comforting consequence is that Jesus will have the final say. We can disavow envy and jealousy regarding the pomp and power of evildoers who use their positions and money to dishonestly influence and control others. The prosperity of the wicked is not sustainable. It is temporal and will not last.
Hallelujah! We have the key to eternal life through salvation. Praise God!
We can choose to spend our time relishing in the blessings of Christ; the security of our future; and the promises of our Lord to always be with us. The earthly realm is not our permanent home. We are Heaven-bound to live eternally with the saints!