Psalm 37:12 “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;”
[There will always be hatred for those who follow Jesus. The wicked will seek to eliminate anything that stands in their way–as we are, a thorn in their side–so we should expect opposition, hatred and attack.]
Psalm 37:13 “but the Lord laughs at the wicked,”
[“But” is a wonderful word here, bringing hope of justice, protection and deliverance. God is not intimidated by the anger and plots of the wicked: “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD” (Prov. 21:30). He is completely in control and will easily limit their actions to what He will use for good.]
“for he knows their day is coming.”
[God will competently bring judgment against all those who oppose Him. He stands outside of time, seeing the future as well as the past, so He knows what He will do to thwart the plans of the wicked, judging them rightly at the right time. We can rest in this certainty of God’s plan and purpose.]
Psalm 37:14 & 15 “The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.”
[God, in His greatness and power, will turn the plots of the wicked back on themselves. In the end, they will not be successful in their schemes, but will be brought to justice in His time and in His way. He will shatter them, like the great tree in this picture below, destroyed by a powerful storm.
I think of Hitler’s reign, lasting only 12 years instead of a lifetime. And he was used by God to plow the hearts of many people, making them open to the seed of the Word, with many coming to Christ. Plus God used him to give many believing allied soldiers a vision for the needs of the world, resulting in tens of thousands going out as missionaries after the war. The wicked did terrible things; God used them for good.
Praise be to you, O God, my Father, my King, my Shepherd, my Brother, my Lord, the One we can fully trust, for you are powerfully and consistently in control. You are good, you are wise and you are infinitely strong, able to bring what you desire to pass and to block the way of all you proclaim to be wrong.
Praise you for the protection, as well as the problems and trials you bring to us, so we may be shaped and sharpened into better instruments in your hands.
May you be glorified in my life today, Lord, having more honor before men and angels. Fill me with your Spirit, may He overflow onto those around me, keeping us all washed with the cleansing, transforming water of your Word.
