A year ago we moved out of the Chicago area, moving a couple hundred miles south, right into the heart of farmland. We moved to a much, much smaller village surrounded by cornfields. I drive to the next village to get our little poodle’s hair cut every few months, and I drive past mile upon mile upon mile of cornfields. As each successive month would go by I observed the progress of the growth of the corn, eventually getting 8-10 feet tall. By early-to-mid September, the corn had been harvested and the stalks withered. Then just a few weeks ago, while driving between the villages, I saw the large farm equipment out cutting down the dead stalks. From 10 foot tall stalks of corn to withered, and then cut down, all in a matter of several weeks. This cycle can apply to people, as well. King David observed this, and used this picture to describe some issues that could cause some distress. Let’s look into our Psalm and see what we can learn today.
How many times have we looked at some godless people, those who do any sort of wicked and evil things, and they just seem to prosper. They do not hesitate to do anything, no matter if it is wrong or if it hurts others, if it will help them succeed and prosper. Yet we, who follow God’s Word and obey Him, are barely putting food on our table. It is so easy to get upset within ourselves over this seeming lack of fairness. We might even be envious of their ease at getting anything they want. David saw this perplexing problem, both with his friends and acquaintances, and within himself. Thus, the Lord inspired him to write that we should not be worried or anxious about how the wicked prosper, and certainly not be envious of them. God promises that they will not endure, but will be cut off like the grass. They may seem like a tall corn stalk today, but by tomorrow they are withered, and the next day completely cut down (vs. 1-2).
God is the Judge. The wicked may think they can continue living their life of sin, and of oppressing others, however a day of judgment is coming for them. They may flourish briefly, but their end is destruction. We should never be tempted to envy them. They may be prospering today, but by tomorrow they are gone, just like withered grass. Asaph said the same thing in his psalm (Psalm 73).
Instead of being envious of the wicked and their success, Christians should trust in God, and be obedient to His Word. Faith and obedience are inseparable. We should cultivate joy in God, not in our circumstances (vs. 3-4). To delight in the Lord means to take pleasure in discovering more about God, and following His will. When we spend time with the Lord, we learn what pleases Him,, and can pray for discernment to make wise decisions. The Holy Spirit will then align our hearts desires with that of Scripture. Doing this will set ourselves up to receive His blessings (John 15:7).
When we commit our way to the Lord, we allow His will and Word to shape our thoughts, lifestyle, and goals (vs. 5). We acknowledge God’s right to determine whether our longings fit His plans. Commit means to roll our burden onto Him (I Peter 5:7). We can entrust our plans, fears, and future to God. He will act in His time.
As David continues, he reminds us that God will vindicate the righteous (vs. 6). Justice may seem like it is delayed, but it is never denied. We need to be patient. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. David tells us to rest in the Lord (vs. 7). Resting means having quiet confidence in God’s timing. Evil may seem like it is winning, but we are instructed not to become filled with anger or wrath (vs. 8). God promises that He will deal with these evildoers, that they will be judged (vs 9).
Next we see how David repeats that there will soon come a time that we look for these wicked, but they will be gone (vs. 10). Just like those cornstalks, one day they are there, the next they are gone. We need to keep an eternal perspective. The wicked will vanish, but the righteous will remain.
We close with God’s promise that the meek will inherit the earth (vs. 11). This echoes the teaching that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not the same as weakness. Meekness is strength under control. It is strength anchored in God’s promises. As we close we need to remember that we don’t need to ever envy the wicked and their current prosperity. Their end will come when God judges them. Instead we should trust and delight in the Lord. His justice is not always immediate, but it is always perfect.
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