The Conflict of Good And Evil

Topic: Trust
Passage: Psalms 37:30–40

August 16, 2020

Commentary

“The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice” (v. 30). The Psalmist declares his love for God’s law and his effort to make it a part of his life (v. 31). The following three points are often forgotten by the wicked:

  1. Truth is on the side of the Godly (vv. 32-34). The life of a righteous individual is a reproach to the person who is living wickedly. If it were not for the grace of God and  laws of the land, the righteous would  be massacred by the wicked. It may look like the wicked are prospering but a great day of reckoning is coming when truth will be settled on the side of the Godly.
  2. Time is on  the side  of the  Godly – (vv. 35-36). The communists think that time is on their side and they claim that the laws of history guarantee their ultimate success. However, they are wrong. Time belongs to God and is not on the side of the wicked. Sooner or later their time will run out and they will go to a Christless eternity. In contrast, time is a friend of the people of God and will bring them safely home at last.
  3. Trust is on the side of the Godly (vv. 37-40). The godly man has something that the ungodly man does not have. He has a trust in God that the wicked knows nothing about.  With wicked people on every hand the Lord brings salvation to all of those who take refuge in Him.

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (I Pet. 5:6).

Application

If I have placed my complete trust in the Lord and am truly following Him, time is on my side regardless of what my circumstances may be. It was easy to say I was trusting the Lord to take care of me but I didn’t know what that really meant until I became a missionary and trusted in the Lord to bring in all the finances for my family. We found out that it did not have to be money but was food, clothing, gasoline etc. and was supplied daily as we needed it.

Psalms 37:30– 40 (NET)

30 The godly speak wise words and promote justice.

31 The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.

32 The wicked set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them.

33 But the Lord does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law.

34 Rely on the Lord. Obey his commands. Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of the wicked.

35 I have seen ruthless, wicked people growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil.

36 But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared. I looked for them, but they could not be found.

37 Take note of the one who has integrity. Observe the upright. For the one who promotes peace has a future.

38 Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; the wicked have no future.

39 But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble.

40 The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and delivers them, for they seek his protection.