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, and we certainly 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 judgments against those who oppose Him and attack His children. He stands outside of time, seeing the future as well as the past. He knows what He will do to thwart the plans of the wicked, judging them at the right time and in the right way. We can rest in this certainty of God’s power, 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, power and graciousness, will turn the plots of the wicked back on themselves. They will not be successful in their schemes in the long run, but will be brought to justice in His time and in His way.
I think of Hitler, who was limited to only 12 years of rule 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. 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 all over the globe 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. You are the One we can and must trust, for you are powerfully and consistently in control. You are good, you are wise and 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, the exposure, the problems, the trials you lead us through so we may be shaped and sharpened into better instruments in your hands.
May you be glorified in my life today, Lord, so that you may have 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.
Picture: the evil will be brought down like this huge tree
