The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 37:1-2,
"Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
David addresses the potential of God's people slipping into envy of those who reject the Lord and yet do well in this life. It is quite apparent that having wealth and all the wonderful things this life has to offer is not kept from those who reject the Lord. You recall Jesus saying, "... it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 1923.
David provides solid reasons for not envying those who reject the Lord, "Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked." Verses 37-38.
It is a theme that shows from time to time. Here we see it again in Psalm 73:2-3, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." In this psalm from Asaph, he found his answer when he beheld God in his worship. He says, "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." Psalm 73:16-17.
Here is what Asaph found as the final destiny of those who reject the Lord, "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies." Psalm 73:18-20.
As Asaph, we can only maintain the right outlook when we follow Paul's admonition, which is what I am sure made the difference for David as well, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.
Focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord brings the greatest perspective on all aspects of life, and among other things, keeping us from envying the wicked. We have an inheritance headed our way... they have something else.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know..
"Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
David addresses the potential of God's people slipping into envy of those who reject the Lord and yet do well in this life. It is quite apparent that having wealth and all the wonderful things this life has to offer is not kept from those who reject the Lord. You recall Jesus saying, "... it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 1923.
David provides solid reasons for not envying those who reject the Lord, "Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked." Verses 37-38.
It is a theme that shows from time to time. Here we see it again in Psalm 73:2-3, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." In this psalm from Asaph, he found his answer when he beheld God in his worship. He says, "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." Psalm 73:16-17.
Here is what Asaph found as the final destiny of those who reject the Lord, "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies." Psalm 73:18-20.
As Asaph, we can only maintain the right outlook when we follow Paul's admonition, which is what I am sure made the difference for David as well, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.
Focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord brings the greatest perspective on all aspects of life, and among other things, keeping us from envying the wicked. We have an inheritance headed our way... they have something else.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know..
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