WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 Psalm 37, this one's a long one, hang in there. 00:00:02.700 --> 00:00:09.320 Of David, fret not yourself because of evildoers. 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:12.800 ! Be not envious of wrongdoers, 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.780 for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:20.879 Trust in the Lord and do good. 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:25.019 Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:30.980 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:33.039 Commit your way to the Lord. 00:00:33.259 --> 00:00:35.019 Trust in him and he will act. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:40.100 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:41.820 and your justice as the noonday. 00:00:43.239 --> 00:00:44.539 Be still before the Lord. 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:45.879 Wait patiently for him. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:50.100 Fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:52.640 over the man who carries out evil devices. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:55.539 Refrain from anger. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:56.539 Forsake wrath. 00:00:56.980 --> 00:00:57.859 Fret not yourself. 00:00:57.980 --> 00:00:59.179 It tends only to evil. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:02.399 For the evildoers shall be cut off. 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:06.140 But those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:10.900 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:15.180 Though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:17.420 But the meek shall inherit the land 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:20.560 and delight themselves in abundant peace. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.939 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him. 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:27.400 But the Lord laughs at the wicked, 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:29.579 for he sees that his day is coming. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.719 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:36.120 to bring down the poor and needy, 00:01:36.180 --> 00:01:38.680 to slay those whose way is upright. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:42.120 Their sword shall enter their own heart. 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:44.359 Their bows shall be broken. 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:48.379 Better is the little that the righteous has 00:01:48.379 --> 00:01:50.039 than the abundance of many wicked. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:53.260 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:55.879 but the Lord upholds the righteous. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:00.260 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:03.019 and their heritage will remain forever. 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:07.400 They are not put to shame in evil times. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:09.240 In the days of famine, they have abundance. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:11.300 But the wicked will perish. 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:13.760 The enemies of the Lord, 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:16.180 they're like the glory of the pastures. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:16.920 They vanish. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:19.000 Like smoke, they vanish away. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.879 The wicked borrows and does not pay back, 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:24.840 but the righteous is generous and gives. 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:27.620 For the blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.660 but those cursed by him shall be cut off. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:34.760 The steps of a man are established by the Lord 00:02:34.760 --> 00:02:36.340 when he delights in his way. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:41.000 Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:43.360 for the Lord upholds his hand. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:46.920 I have been young, and now I'm old, 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:50.620 and yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:53.360 or his children begging for bread. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:56.379 He's ever lending generously. 00:02:56.620 --> 00:02:58.420 His children become a blessing. 00:02:59.640 --> 00:03:01.300 Turn away from evil and do good. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:02.960 So shall you dwell forever, 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:04.960 for the Lord loves justice. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:07.659 He will not forsake his saints. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:10.599 They are preserved forever, 00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:13.980 but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:17.840 The righteous shall inherit the land 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:19.080 and dwell upon it forever. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:21.980 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom. 00:03:22.420 --> 00:03:24.439 His tongue speaks justice. 00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:27.520 The law of his God is in his heart. 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:29.280 His steps do not slip. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:32.520 The wicked watches for the righteous. 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:34.020 He seeks to put him to death. 00:03:34.020 --> 00:03:37.560 But the Lord will not abandon him to his power 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:40.660 or let him be condemned when he's brought to trial. 00:03:42.160 --> 00:03:45.140 Wait for the Lord and keep his way, 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:48.500 and he will exalt you to inherit the land. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:51.840 You will look on when the wicked are cut off. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:58.259 I've seen a wicked, ruthless man spreading himself like a green laurel tree, 00:03:58.439 --> 00:03:59.480 but he passed away. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:01.219 Behold, he was no more. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:04.360 Though I saw to him, he could not be found. 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:08.539 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:11.199 for there is a future for the man of peace. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:15.659 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:18.899 The future of the wicked shall be cut off. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:23.019 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:26.379 He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:29.680 The Lord helps them, delivers them. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.639 He delivers them from the wicked and saves them 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:35.920 because they take refuge in him. 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:37.159 Amen. 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:41.780 Psalm 36, if you remember from last Sunday, 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:46.700 concluded with a provocative vision of the end for the wicked. 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:50.160 Just look back at the very last verse of Psalm 36. 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:52.880 There, look, David says, 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:55.560 the evildoers lie fallen. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:04:58.220 They're thrust down. 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:00.980 They're unable to rise again. 00:05:02.840 --> 00:05:06.920 It was a glorious statement of God's triumph over the wicked. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:12.020 Set in contrast to the steadfast love that he shows to his own people. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:14.600 Though the wicked are thrust down, unable to rise, 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:20.060 yet those who belong to him will rise as their king has risen. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:23.280 It's a big moment at the end of the Psalm. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:30.840 Psalm 37 is written to concerned believers 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:36.040 who are trying to do what David says to do in that last verse, 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:37.280 which is to look there. 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:39.640 Look and behold the wicked. 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:40.480 They lie fallen. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:42.040 They're struggling. 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:43.819 God has defeated them. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:47.939 They're looking around and they're trying to see it, 00:05:48.080 --> 00:05:50.220 but everywhere they look, 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:52.500 it doesn't seem like any of that is actually happening. 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:56.500 The wicked aren't cast down. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:05:59.160 They actually seem to be thriving. 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:02.199 They're not only thriving, 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:04.220 they're thriving on the backs of the righteous. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:09.120 Everywhere this Christian looks, 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:10.259 this believer looks, 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:12.779 the one who's being addressed in Psalm 37, 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:13.879 everywhere he looks, 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:16.540 the wicked just seem to be winning. 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:20.720 They disregard the law of God 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:23.120 and yet they still prosper. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.540 Their abuses of others, 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.280 even of the righteous, 00:06:29.520 --> 00:06:30.780 those who belong to the Lord, 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:32.300 seems to go unpunished. 00:06:33.460 --> 00:06:34.820 They just get by with it. 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:38.820 They increase in power. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:41.379 They increase in wealth. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:44.459 They increase in all the successes 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:47.980 that we as just humans desire to have 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:49.219 and to flourish in 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:51.259 and they succeed in those things 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:54.680 often by mistreating the less fortunate, 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:56.279 the poor and the needy 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:58.519 and the upright, David says. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:02.740 This scenario is disorienting, isn't it? 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:05.939 You don't have to look far to see 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:10.779 that this is true all around us. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:13.259 It's disorienting. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:16.360 And not only is it disorienting, 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:18.000 it's potentially devastating, 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:19.100 spiritually speaking. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:23.420 It seems to call into question 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:26.120 the truthfulness of God's word. 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:30.819 What are we to do at the end of Psalm 36 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:32.980 when we're living in the place 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:36.040 of the person of Psalm 37? 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:39.719 Is God really just? 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.659 Is he really watching? 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:44.339 Are the wicked really defeated? 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:46.939 It calls into question 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:48.879 the truthfulness of his word. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.899 It seems to call into question 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:53.839 the righteousness of his own character, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.540 perhaps even his very existence. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:59.500 And it's not just a problem for believers. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.439 If you're here today 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.360 and you're not a Christian, 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.860 I want to first say that 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:06.879 I'm just so glad that you're here. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:08.000 You are welcome here 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.980 and we are happy that you're here. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:13.560 But perhaps this very scenario 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.019 is what has kept you 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.759 from embracing Christianity. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:22.439 If this God that Christians speak of 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.819 really is good, 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:25.139 you may ask, 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:30.279 why is it that bad people seem to increase 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:33.819 and good people seem to keep suffering? 00:08:36.459 --> 00:08:38.839 Why do bad things happen to good people? 00:08:38.959 --> 00:08:41.759 Why do good things happen to bad people? 00:08:41.839 --> 00:08:43.860 We're wrestling with the problem of evil 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.839 in Psalm 37 in some way. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.179 Unfortunately for us, 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.799 the Bible doesn't ignore this question. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:53.360 Many Christians try to ignore this question. 00:08:53.459 --> 00:08:54.740 They're not really sure what to do with it. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:56.120 The Bible doesn't do that. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.980 And Psalm 37 confronts it head on. 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:03.179 Helps us to process it. 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:04.779 Not only the reality 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:06.960 of what is happening around us, 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:09.639 but it helps us to process that reality 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.980 with actually tremendous hope 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:14.899 and hopefulness and trust. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.720 It's a wisdom Psalm, 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.299 which means that the content here, 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:23.360 it looks a little more like the book of Proverbs 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.740 than it does many of the other Psalms 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:27.680 that we've been studying together. 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:30.419 And that's important for us to recognize 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:31.720 because we might stumble over 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.680 some of the statements that David makes here, 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:35.419 thinking that there's contradiction here, 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.399 that it's just not true. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:39.360 We need to think for just a moment, 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:40.500 what exactly is a proverb 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:42.440 and how are we to process? 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:43.820 A proverb is, 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.120 it's really just a, 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.279 it's a wise principle of life. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.399 It's wise principles of life and godliness. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:52.299 We might call them general rules of thumb. 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:56.519 It's not saying that there are explicit guarantees 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.899 in every situation, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:01.019 that there aren't exceptions that may come around. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:04.299 One of the key verses in the Psalm is verse 25. 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.799 I've been young and now I'm old 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:09.240 and I've not seen the Lord forsake the righteous. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:11.059 But then David throws in this one statement 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:13.159 that you may stumble over just a little bit. 00:10:13.199 --> 00:10:13.439 He says, 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:16.299 I've never actually seen even the children 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:18.059 of the righteous begging for bread. 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:20.959 We might come to that and say, 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:22.959 well, that almost sounds like David is saying 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:25.339 that if you really just have enough faith 00:10:25.339 --> 00:10:27.579 and you live the right way 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:29.359 and you say your prayers at the end of the day, 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:30.759 that you won't go through hardships, 00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:32.779 that your children won't suffer 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:34.299 and won't struggle in any way. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.099 And that's when we need to understand 00:10:36.099 --> 00:10:37.379 exactly what he's doing here. 00:10:37.459 --> 00:10:39.119 These are proverbial statements. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:41.159 It's not saying that hardship doesn't come. 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:42.459 Of course it does. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:45.980 The Psalm is clear that the righteous here 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:48.519 are experiencing tremendous hardship. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:51.580 But what he's saying is that generally 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:53.259 when we do what God says, 00:10:53.400 --> 00:10:56.980 we reap the consequences and blessings of obedience 00:10:56.980 --> 00:11:00.040 and of God's faithfulness in our lives. 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:01.019 We need to get that right. 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:02.180 This is a wisdom Psalm. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:04.259 This is what David is doing here. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.120 He's passing on wisdom for those of us 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.879 who are trying to wrestle with this issue 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:12.960 of the prosperity of the wicked. 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:17.439 We find Psalm 37, God's king, 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:20.860 is leading his people in godly wisdom 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:23.179 on just such occasions. 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:28.259 Time is a major feature in the wisdom 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.419 that David conveys. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:31.840 He doesn't talk about time explicitly, 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.940 but it's all woven throughout 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:35.360 all of these proverbs here. 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.840 He writes as an older man, for instance, 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:42.580 he's an older man who's been around long enough 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:45.639 to see how these things tend to play out. 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:49.340 Whereas a younger man might lose control 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.980 a little faster emotionally 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:53.059 at the prosperity of the wicked. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:54.939 He's been around long enough to see 00:11:54.939 --> 00:11:57.779 that what you see in the immediate 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.500 is not really all there is to see. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.120 And as he reflects on his years, 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.700 he has come to understand 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.720 that the Lord is always faithful. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:10.840 He always preserves the righteous. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:11.519 He's good. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:14.240 So time features in that way. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:16.559 It features in a different way. 00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:19.120 He's constantly pointing us 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:22.820 away from present circumstances 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:26.399 in order that we might look further down the road 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:29.240 at future realities and promises. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.000 With great wisdom, David, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.519 and of course, ultimately, 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.200 Jesus is teaching us here 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:39.700 not to obsess over what we see now 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:42.720 and ignore the promises that God has 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:46.179 for our future and for the future of the wicked. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:47.740 So time, it's featuring in that way. 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.299 But there's another way that it's featuring, 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.779 maybe a little more subtle. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:56.240 Time features somewhat in the structure of the psalm. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:59.000 It's an acrostic poem 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:02.659 compiling all of these proverbial statements, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:05.419 which means that there's not a clear structure here. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:08.759 Rather than moving thematically and systematically 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:10.600 from one theme to the next, 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.799 working as our minds like to work, 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.360 just through one truth 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.220 that builds upon another truth throughout, 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.299 David's not doing that in this psalm. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:22.059 Rather, he's got these primary principles, 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:25.659 these themes that he's interweaving together 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:27.179 throughout the whole thing. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:31.259 And what that's telling us to do is slow down. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:35.319 Stop just trying to reach for a quick answer 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.579 in this situation. 00:13:36.839 --> 00:13:40.039 He's trying to get us to meditate on a few things, 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:43.539 to meditate on some wise principles 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:47.439 that we need to consider in such moments. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:49.639 So what are we to do then 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:51.559 when we look around 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:55.259 and we observe that the wicked are winning? 00:13:56.839 --> 00:14:00.240 I think there's four crucial responses 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:03.199 that we can pull from David's wisdom here 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:05.339 that will help us in these moments, 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.459 whether you're in one now 00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:08.079 or we'll be in one later. 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:11.659 Four crucial responses. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:13.179 Here's the first one. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.359 First thing to do 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:21.419 is learn to control your frustrations by faith. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:27.080 Learn to control your frustrations through faith. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:30.019 Now this is woven, like I said, 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:31.060 all throughout the psalm. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.919 It seems to be emphasized in the first 11 verses. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.759 And right from the beginning, 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.680 David highlights two emotional responses 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:41.699 to the prosperity of the wicked 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:43.919 that we need to actually beware of. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.959 We need to watch out for. 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:45.819 Look at verse one. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:49.079 Fret not yourself because of evildoers. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.839 Be not envious of wrongdoers. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.019 Fret not yourself. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.679 It's an interesting word. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:15:01.279 We typically use that to refer to anxiety and worry. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.759 Underlying this word here 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.639 is not really the idea of worry. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.740 It's a little more nuanced than that. 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:10.100 It literally means to burn with anger. 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:15.360 To get hot under the collar, so to speak. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:19.699 Some translations will render it agitated. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:22.319 Don't be agitated at evildoers. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:26.480 Don't be incensed by the prosperity of the wicked. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.000 It's more than a righteous anger. 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:32.720 Of course, we all would possess that as God's people. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:34.399 We see that modeled even in Jesus himself. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:36.120 No, this is more than a righteous anger. 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:39.340 This is a kind of unbridled fury 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.939 that we're told tends only to evil. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:44.639 And we see that filled out with a little more clarity 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.079 in verses seven and eight. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.779 David repeats it. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.939 Be still before the Lord. 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:49.879 Wait patiently. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:53.360 The contrast to that would be fretting again, 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.399 he says in verse seven. 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:58.039 Fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.179 the prosperity of the wicked. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.519 Fret not yourself over the man 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.139 who carries out evil devices. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:06.259 Instead, refrain from anger. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.559 Forsake wrath. 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:11.539 Fret not yourself, he says. 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:14.779 It will only lead you to evil. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:19.480 You becoming the evildoer 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:22.740 because you haven't learned with this question 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.659 and with this issue 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:28.100 to control your emotional responses. 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:30.420 Don't fret, he says. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:33.340 This unrestrained anger, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:37.420 it doesn't trust God to deal righteously with the wicked. 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:42.019 It attempts to take matters into one's own hands. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:48.919 David says when the wicked prosper and you notice it, 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:51.600 one of the things you're gonna immediately feel is anger. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:54.960 And he says you need to get a grip on that anger. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.939 You need to submit that anger to the Lord. 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:59.460 You need to trust the Lord. 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:01.340 You need to wait on the Lord. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.939 And of course, the scriptures repeat this for us. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.039 James tells us, James chapter one, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:09.980 let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.279 Why, James? 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:14.059 Because the wrath of man, the anger of man, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.220 it doesn't work the righteousness of God. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:19.659 David seems to be saying the same thing here. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.220 Fret not yourself. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:24.740 It tends only to evil behavior on your part. 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.619 It doesn't work God's righteousness 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:30.159 even though you think you're working for God's righteousness. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:33.220 But that's not the only emotional response 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.779 that David highlights here. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.120 The second one is envy. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.759 Look again at verse one. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:40.140 Fret not yourself because of evildoers. 00:17:40.300 --> 00:17:43.420 Be not envious of them. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:47.540 This one is one that perhaps we maybe feel 00:17:47.540 --> 00:17:51.660 a little more personally and a little more continually. 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:58.820 It involves craving the worldly successes of the wicked 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:04.439 so that your temptation is to abandon God's principles 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:06.379 and God's wisdom and God's law 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:09.359 to adopt the ways of sin 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:11.559 and to adopt the ways of the wicked. 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:15.460 And this is all over this psalm. 00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.919 A couple of different places, 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.919 David is highlighting the issue of wealth. 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:22.779 We read it a moment ago. 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:24.539 We'll see it again in just a minute. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:28.000 He says, look, it's better to just have a little bit 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:33.140 as a faithful one who's living a life that pleases the Lord 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:36.019 than it is to throw away faithfulness 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.099 and live a life of sin 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.640 and have all that the wicked has. 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:41.759 We see that repeated again and again. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:44.460 There is generosity of the righteous 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:46.980 that's later contrasted with the stinginess 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:49.579 and the selfishness of the wicked. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.440 That's cluing us in on something 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:53.799 that this envy is something that's real for us. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.400 We look and we see that. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:58.620 Here I'm trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.180 I'm trying to be faithful to Him 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:02.220 and I'm kind of struggling a little bit. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:05.080 But I look at my friends and my family members 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:07.900 who they've cast aside faithfulness. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.320 They don't care to live in a way that's pleasing to the Lord. 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.960 And it seems like they're just so happy. 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.780 They just seem so fulfilled. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:22.200 And I just would like to have a little bit of that. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.279 Do you see the danger there? 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:27.839 David's getting on to that danger right here from the very beginning 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:30.980 because envy doesn't consider what's right. 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:34.480 Envy just considers what's effective. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:38.720 And it can quickly become our fatal response 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:42.680 when we observe the prosperity of the wicked. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:46.900 Now the reason we're to avoid these things is clear in verse 2. 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.920 David tells us right off the bat, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.640 don't fret, don't be envious 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.560 because those that you're envying, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:55.560 those you are angry over, 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.720 they're going to fade. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:59.019 They're going to fade like the grass. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.700 God will deal with them. 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:03.680 They're going to wither like the green herb. 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:07.660 He echoes that later in 9 to 11. 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:10.480 The evildoers will be cut off 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:13.960 while those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land. 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:16.220 Just a little while, the wicked will be no more. 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.380 You're going to look at his place 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:19.220 and suddenly you'll be gone. 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:21.360 But the meek shall inherit the land 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:25.380 and delight themselves in the abundance of God's peace. 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.640 Don't miss this language. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.940 This is covenant language. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.900 Did you notice when we read the whole psalm, 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:36.100 there's this refrain of the righteous inheriting the land 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:38.480 and the wicked being cut off. 00:20:39.199 --> 00:20:41.419 If you've been reading in your Old Testament 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.919 very much this year, 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:45.500 you're going to see that over and over and over, 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:49.459 this idea of promise and covenant promise in the land. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:51.439 When David writes about this here, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:56.039 he's not talking about a piece of dirt in Middle East. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:21:00.899 Israel already has the land when David writes this psalm. 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.319 It's already their inheritance. 00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.639 That's not what he's referring to. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:07.340 He's referring to the covenant blessings of God. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.220 He's looking beyond a piece of dirt in the Middle East. 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.720 He's looking at eternity. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.800 He's looking at eternal blessings. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:16.220 He's looking at the new creation 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:19.280 that all who belong to Christ will inherit. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.980 And he's saying those who are faithful to the Lord, 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.140 those who are blessed of the Lord, 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.300 will receive that eternal inheritance. 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:29.020 But all the wicked, they're going to be cut off. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.900 He says, don't fret. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.500 Don't be envious of them. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:34.720 Don't be like them. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.279 They're all going to be judged. 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:42.319 How then are we to control those fatal responses? 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:45.559 Well, the answer is through faith. 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.619 In verses 3 to 7, over and over, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:52.099 he's giving us this answer. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:55.279 Trust in the Lord's sovereignty, verse 3. 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.339 Trust in Him. 00:21:56.339 --> 00:22:00.980 Then he says, obey His word by doing good in verse 3. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.439 Trust in the Lord and do good. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:04.299 Commit your way to Him. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.019 Trusting that He is going to work for your good. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.339 We see that in verse 5. 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.639 Commit your way to the Lord. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.539 Trust in Him. 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:13.939 He will act for you in time, in His time. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.339 Have faith that He will vindicate your righteousness 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.879 and bring justice to the ungodly. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:22.400 We see that in verse 6. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:25.240 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.860 your justice as the noonday. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.500 Isn't that what we long for? 00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:30.140 Vindication. 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.320 Justice. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:39.120 David says, look, don't get worked up. 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.980 Trust the Lord. 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.680 He will do it. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:46.060 And then we have verse 4 is so wonderful. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:50.360 Delight yourself in the Lord. 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:53.320 And He will give you the desires of your heart. 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:57.460 Now, we need to be careful not to stumble over that. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.680 We could misunderstand that. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.680 That's why I said at the beginning, 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.680 we need to understand these proverbial statements 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.420 and how they're working. 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:06.920 But look at the contrast that he's making here. 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:12.140 It begins with the Lord being your greatest desire 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.420 and your greatest delight. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:17.800 And when He is your greatest delight 00:23:17.800 --> 00:23:18.900 and your greatest desire 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:20.420 and your greatest satisfaction, 00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:23.080 you have all that you need. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.080 He holds nothing back. 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:29.080 Now, that's helpful when we're struggling 00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:31.980 with envy over worldly goods 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.540 and worldly successes, isn't it? 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:37.100 We can work and work and work 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:38.000 and do all the things 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.060 and still never have what we want. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:41.879 But David says, 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.500 if God is what you want, 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.519 you'll never be disappointed. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.399 You'll never lack. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.759 He'll never hold back. 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:51.639 He'll give you the desire of your heart. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.359 Faith and obedience, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.659 they're not just alternatives 00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:57.659 to anger and envy. 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.799 They're the antidotes. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:04.039 No one ever fretted over evildoers 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.839 whose trust was transfixed 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.799 on the righteousness of God 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.899 and the goodness of the Lord. 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.839 No one ever envied the wrongdoer 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.960 whose greatest desire 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:14.899 was to know and to please God 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:16.279 with their lives. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.259 So what do we do 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.159 when the wicked are winning? 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:20.139 David, I think, says in wisdom, 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.639 the first thing that you're probably 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.440 going to have to do 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.759 is get a grip 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:26.119 on your emotional responses. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.779 Offset those things. 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.879 Overcome those things 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:30.359 by trusting the Lord 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:32.839 and doing what is right. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:35.299 But there's a second thing we're to do. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.839 Another crucial response 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.680 we should do is 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.839 we should consider 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.899 the end of the wicked. 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.579 Consider their end. 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:46.079 And again, we've already talked about that 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.940 in some extent. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.579 It seems like in verses 12 to 22, 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.720 David is really leaning 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.859 into the description 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.059 of the wicked 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:55.419 and what will come of them 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.839 in their future. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.619 12 and 13, 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:02.579 they plot against God's righteous one. 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.179 A callback, no doubt, 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.359 to Psalm 2, 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.699 but they will not finally 00:25:06.699 --> 00:25:07.519 be successful. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.220 God laughs at them. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:13.460 He laughs at their pride 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.279 knowing that 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.259 he will bring them to an end 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.500 at his appointed day 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.559 of judgment. 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:20.039 That's their end. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.359 Verses 14 and 15, 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.559 we see the wicked 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.960 are abusing the poor 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.720 and the needy 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.980 and the upright 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.439 to have their way now. 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.159 But then, 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.279 we have this promise 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.839 that what's coming for them 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.879 is that God's going to take 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.940 even their own devices. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.319 He's going to trap them 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.160 in their own devices. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.379 Their own sword 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.099 will pierce 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.259 through their heart 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.740 as God breaks their bows, 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.579 their instruments 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.259 of sin 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.319 and wickedness 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:47.019 against the vulnerable 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.619 and the upright. 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.339 It makes me think 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.700 of the book of Esther 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.399 and you remember 00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:55.220 Mordecai and Haman. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.279 Haman has these massive 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.200 gallows built 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.980 thinking that 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.079 he has the favor 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.759 of the king 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.199 and he's going to be able 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:03.019 to destroy 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.439 righteous Mordecai 00:26:04.439 --> 00:26:06.039 who has refused 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.879 to bow to him 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:09.019 and what ends up happening? 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.679 Haman gets hung 00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:12.339 on the gallows 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.000 that he's built 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.679 for the righteous. 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:14.919 It's a picture 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:16.279 of what will come 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.919 of all the wicked. 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.679 David wants us 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.619 to think about that. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.720 He wants us to see it, 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.559 consider it, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.539 meditate on it. 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:27.299 We get to verses 16 and 17. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.500 Those who envy 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.659 the wicked's prosperity 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.599 are warned here. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.859 You're better off 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.119 with just a little 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.740 as one who is faithful 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.440 to the Lord 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.460 because the Lord 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.180 is going to break 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.819 the strength 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.299 of the wicked. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.339 But in contrast 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.839 to that, 00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:46.159 those who trust 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:47.180 and obey the Lord 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.399 will find him 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.759 to be their strength 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.700 and their provision. 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.240 In 18 to 20, 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.899 we're reminded 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:55.700 of God's omniscience. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.700 He's not blind 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.840 to any of our ways. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.559 He sees the quiet 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.120 righteousness 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.700 of your life 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.660 and he also sees 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.600 the wickedness 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:06.160 of the unfaithful. 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.840 And it's according 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:09.279 to that divine knowledge 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.920 that he moves 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.860 toward judgment, 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:15.580 namely a final judgment 00:27:15.580 --> 00:27:17.880 where all will be exposed 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.220 and even the things 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.200 that you don't see 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.019 and you don't understand, 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.720 maybe you look 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.100 and you see 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.660 that righteous person, 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.519 but God knows 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.759 there's wickedness there. 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.560 Or perhaps you're seeing 00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.300 the wickedness 00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:30.680 of that other person 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.600 and you're just wondering 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.920 what's ever going 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.920 to come of this 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:36.019 and it's all moving 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.460 somewhere. 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.320 It's all moving 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.519 to a final judgment 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:40.480 where God will expose 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.060 it all 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:43.019 and he will deal 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.840 decisively 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:45.840 with each of us. 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.779 The wicked will perish. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:51.000 He blesses the faithful 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.579 even though 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.319 he ordains 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.399 evil times 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.339 and famine 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.740 that they must endure. 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.619 He upholds them 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.279 but the wicked perish 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.160 like the grass. 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.339 They vanish 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:04.339 like a drought. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.759 And then we get 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.200 to 21 and 22 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.160 and David repeats 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.839 this promise 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.039 of land 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.339 and being cut off. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.160 There's blessing 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.839 and there's cursing 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.399 and if we read 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.059 those two verses 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.619 backward 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.539 we might get 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.000 the sense 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.639 of why he's 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.519 suddenly introducing 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.099 this idea 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:21.759 of generosity. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.819 He's saying 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:26.699 that those 00:28:26.699 --> 00:28:28.119 who understand 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.720 or believe 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.159 themselves 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.859 not to have 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.699 a real future 00:28:31.699 --> 00:28:32.740 that this is really 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.000 the only life 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.119 there is to live for 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:38.199 you only live once 00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:38.819 right? 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.299 So do all 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.939 that you can 00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:42.519 gain all 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.119 that you can 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.799 it's a selfish 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.539 way of life 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.659 that that mindset 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.159 produces 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.819 but the faithful 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.680 they understand 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.759 there's far more 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.920 than this life 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.639 and in fact 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.059 things get 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.180 far greater 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.740 therefore that 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.599 affects the way 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.319 that they live now 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.139 rather than 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.799 hoarding 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.920 and gaining 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.559 and gaining 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.119 and gaining 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.759 they're generous 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.279 they're giving 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.859 and giving 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.519 and giving 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.819 because they know 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.420 their future 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.779 is secured 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.579 in the blessing 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.319 of God. 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.319 As noted 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.879 last week 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.339 remembering 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.240 the end 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.779 of the wicked 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.500 is what kept 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.180 Asaph 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.159 in Psalm 73 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.080 from slipping 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.620 when he observed 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.580 the prosperity 00:29:16.580 --> 00:29:17.200 of the wicked 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.940 wisdom 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.800 it demands 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.360 that we look 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.120 beyond our 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.640 present circumstances 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:24.040 to future realities 00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:25.140 if we're going 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.160 to remain faithful 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.440 ourselves 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.060 but there's 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:28.940 there's a warning 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.840 here that we can't 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.279 miss 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:32.660 there's a warning 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.420 here for the 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.160 unbeliever 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:38.960 that this is not 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.720 the only life 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.220 that there is 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.640 to live 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:43.000 and that there 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.420 is indeed 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:43.920 a judgment 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.520 that's coming 00:29:44.520 --> 00:29:48.259 unless you receive 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.180 God's mercy 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.920 by faith 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.800 you will perish 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:52.520 with the wicked 00:29:52.520 --> 00:29:54.900 you will be 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.300 counted 00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:58.020 as wicked 00:29:58.020 --> 00:30:00.700 and the cares 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.500 of this world 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.820 and of this life 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:04.580 they are not 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:05.180 worth 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.560 an eternity 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.240 cut off 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.320 from God's grace 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.159 and goodness 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:12.139 so God 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.619 as we've 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.659 just sang about 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.339 in his marvelous 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.720 love 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:16.299 he sends his son 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.720 Jesus 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:18.000 who bears 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.039 that curse 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.460 for us 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.659 he bears 00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.419 the curse 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.439 for all 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.500 who will turn 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.179 from sin 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.319 to trust in him 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:28.099 Paul said 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.039 to the Galatians 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.559 Christ redeemed 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.579 us from the curse 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.099 of the law 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.359 becoming a curse 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.240 for us 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:36.000 so that we might 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.019 receive the promised 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.480 spirit 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.259 through faith 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:41.879 see the righteous 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.859 in the psalms 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:44.039 ultimately 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.319 are not 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.259 sinless people 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.539 they're not 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.359 people whose 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.200 good outweighs 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.000 their bad 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:52.119 they're counted 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.619 righteous 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.299 because they 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.240 believe God 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.460 because they 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.599 trust his mercy 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.720 because they 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.859 wait on his 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.379 promises 00:30:59.379 --> 00:31:00.200 because they 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.660 believe in his 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.779 promised king 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:04.799 and that faith 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:06.019 produces a life 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.920 of righteousness 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.920 as we read 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.859 about in 1 John 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.259 just a few 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.940 moments ago 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.579 and if you 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.539 come to God 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.420 by faith 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.559 in Christ 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.240 and his 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.619 Messiah 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.680 his provider 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.539 of salvation 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:20.019 you will then 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.660 be counted 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.139 righteous 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:21.839 even though 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.539 you're not 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:25.660 you'll be 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.440 counted righteous 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.440 by faith 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.740 and won't 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.200 perish 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:33.039 says John 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.960 in his 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.400 gospel 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:34.980 the famous 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.519 verse 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:37.019 God so 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.500 loved the 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:37.819 world 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.700 he gave 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.039 his only 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.539 son 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:42.059 so that 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.600 whoever will 00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.120 believe in 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.380 him 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:44.620 his son 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:46.700 won't 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.240 perish 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.700 as do the 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.180 wicked in 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.940 Psalm 37 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.080 they'll have 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.860 eternal life 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:53.019 they'll inherit 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.500 the land 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.660 so what is 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.279 David telling 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.960 us to do 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.740 well we need 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.359 to get a grip 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.240 on our initial 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.660 emotional responses 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.380 to this issue 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.279 we need to take 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.900 some time to 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.819 contemplate 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.619 the future 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:06.180 what will 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:06.960 actually come 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.420 of the wicked 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.119 in the end 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.539 we need to 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.240 lean into that 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.039 there's a third 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.640 thing I think 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.200 we find 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.359 and that is 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.799 we need to 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.400 count 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.640 on God 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.019 to be 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.460 faithful 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:18.480 we need to 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.220 count on God 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.859 to be faithful 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.220 and again 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.099 it's all over 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.539 the psalm 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.920 but maybe 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.960 it's highlighted 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.759 and underscored 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.519 in verses 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.380 23 to 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:25.960 33 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:28.039 David almost 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:29.240 contrasts the 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.600 description of 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.019 the wicked 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.819 and the end 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.259 of the wicked 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.059 with a description 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.759 of the righteous 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.819 and God's 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.559 blessing on the 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.340 life of faith 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:38.319 verse 23 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.079 they delight 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.000 in God's way 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.400 and verse 26 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.039 they're intent 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.120 on blessing 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.680 others 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.460 even their kids 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.180 are a blessing 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:46.640 to others 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:48.420 verse 30 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.440 they speak 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.480 truth and wisdom 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.240 verse 31 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.400 God's law 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:52.900 is near 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.300 to their 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:53.680 heart 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.519 28 to 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.380 29 00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:56.080 verse 33 00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:56.540 the Lord 00:32:56.540 --> 00:32:58.060 is preserving 00:32:58.060 --> 00:32:58.720 them 00:32:58.720 --> 00:33:00.800 God is being 00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.540 faithful to 00:33:01.540 --> 00:33:01.780 them 00:33:01.780 --> 00:33:03.160 special emphasis 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.860 though here 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:06.300 is being given 00:33:06.300 --> 00:33:07.100 to the Lord's 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:07.980 faithfulness 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:11.640 verse 25 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:13.000 may be the key 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.460 verse of the 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.019 whole psalm 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.960 as an old 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.720 man with many 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.580 years to reflect 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:17.120 on David 00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.840 says he's never 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.140 seen God 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.920 forsake his 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.279 own 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.740 I've been 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.120 young 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.500 now I'm 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:22.759 old 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.279 I've not 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.840 seen the 00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.160 righteous 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.900 forsaken 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.980 verse 28 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.560 for the Lord 00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.300 loves justice 00:33:27.300 --> 00:33:28.480 he will not 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.640 forsake his 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.060 saints 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:31.440 verse 33 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.039 the Lord 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.640 will not 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.320 abandon 00:33:33.320 --> 00:33:34.120 his people 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:35.880 to the power 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.360 of the wicked 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.140 in other words 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.900 David's saying 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.380 the Lord 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.060 is faithful 00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:41.180 he will be 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.640 faithful 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:43.340 count on him 00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:44.400 to be 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.060 faithful 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.240 fall 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:47.839 is summarized 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.359 so well 00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:49.139 perhaps best 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.500 in verse 24 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:52.460 though he 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.139 fall 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:54.399 he shall not 00:33:54.399 --> 00:33:55.240 be cast head 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.700 long 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.679 for the Lord 00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:57.339 upholds his 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:57.839 hand 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.819 fall there 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.799 is not sin 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:03.299 it's hardship 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:05.359 it's trouble 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:07.720 it's difficulty 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:11.619 the promise 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.219 is not that 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.639 you won't 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.099 fall 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:15.500 the promise 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.219 is not that 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:16.819 things won't 00:34:16.819 --> 00:34:17.259 get hard 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:17.860 for you 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:19.699 the promise 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.139 is that 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.739 God will 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.759 uphold you 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:23.500 even when 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:23.920 they are 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.380 hard 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.539 and even 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:25.900 when you 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.360 are in 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:26.719 trouble 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.799 and even 00:34:27.799 --> 00:34:28.119 when you 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.059 are struggling 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:31.900 Charlie's 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.659 at that 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.420 age where 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.739 you have 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:35.059 to hold 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.440 her hand 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.699 everywhere 00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.219 you go 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.639 because if 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.119 you don't 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.519 there's no 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.059 telling what 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.639 might happen 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:40.519 we can go 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.099 to the store 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:42.139 and we'll 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:42.500 walk around 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.839 Target 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.200 or something 00:34:43.200 --> 00:34:43.620 like that 00:34:43.620 --> 00:34:43.880 and I'll 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.140 be on 00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.600 one side 00:34:44.600 --> 00:34:44.980 and Julie 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.220 will be 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:45.500 on the 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.019 other side 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.780 and she'll 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.340 grab each 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:47.600 of our 00:34:47.600 --> 00:34:47.860 hands 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.260 and she's 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:48.980 learned that 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.579 if she's 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.039 got each 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.320 of our 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:50.800 hands 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:51.840 she can 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.260 play a 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.620 game with 00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:53.019 us 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:54.200 which is 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:54.720 when mom 00:34:54.720 --> 00:34:55.039 and dad 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.420 aren't paying 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:55.840 attention 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.820 I can just 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:57.320 lift my 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:57.800 feet up 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.700 and hope 00:34:58.700 --> 00:34:59.360 that they 00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:00.140 are holding 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:00.420 on 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:02.519 and as long 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:02.780 as we're 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.140 holding her 00:35:03.140 --> 00:35:03.600 hand it's 00:35:03.600 --> 00:35:03.880 great 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.120 and she 00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:04.480 loves it 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.039 her feet 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.420 go up in 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:05.660 the air 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.400 sometimes 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:06.760 she gets 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.000 a little 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.460 bit more 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:07.800 risky 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:10.100 and it's 00:35:10.100 --> 00:35:10.700 not when 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.240 both of us 00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:11.519 have our 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.840 hand it's 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.079 just when 00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:12.460 one of us 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:12.780 has her 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:13.739 hand and 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:14.059 she hasn't 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:14.920 processed yet 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.280 that it 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:15.820 doesn't work 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.539 exactly the 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.139 same way 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.659 when I don't 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.300 have stability 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:18.759 on this 00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.219 side 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:21.980 she'll 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.759 suddenly lift 00:35:22.759 --> 00:35:23.039 up her 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.360 legs and 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:23.699 I'm walking 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:25.300 down the 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.920 sidewalk with 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:27.480 her and 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.759 sometimes she 00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:29.139 skins her 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:31.659 knee but 00:35:31.659 --> 00:35:32.179 as long as 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:32.679 dad has 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.219 her hand 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:35.259 she's safe 00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:37.500 as long 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:37.860 as dad 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.180 has her 00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:38.500 hand 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:40.220 she's not 00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:40.600 ultimately 00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:40.940 going to 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:41.260 fall 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:42.340 he's got 00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:42.580 her 00:35:42.580 --> 00:35:43.680 she's 00:35:43.680 --> 00:35:43.780 going to 00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:44.240 be okay 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:46.720 that's how 00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:47.100 the lord 00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:47.540 holds his 00:35:47.540 --> 00:35:47.920 people 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:50.080 see what he 00:35:50.080 --> 00:35:50.640 says in 00:35:50.640 --> 00:35:51.620 verse 24 00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:53.320 he establishes 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:53.940 their steps 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.900 even though 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.660 they fall 00:35:55.660 --> 00:35:58.100 he upholds 00:35:58.100 --> 00:35:58.420 them by 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.000 the hand 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:01.180 can I just 00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.680 tell you 00:36:01.680 --> 00:36:02.780 you may be 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.420 struggling right 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.120 now for one 00:36:04.120 --> 00:36:04.580 reason or 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:05.239 another maybe 00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:06.119 it's it's 00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:06.699 the prosperity 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.239 of the wicked 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:08.259 actually that 00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:09.139 is the reason 00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:09.579 for your 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.159 trouble right 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:12.000 now can I 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.739 just tell you 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:14.920 the lord has 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:17.319 you and you 00:36:17.319 --> 00:36:17.639 may feel 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:19.619 fallen but 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.099 he's got your 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:21.860 hand and 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.539 he's faithful 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:24.259 and he's 00:36:24.259 --> 00:36:24.759 going to be 00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:26.259 faithful and 00:36:26.259 --> 00:36:26.779 you can count 00:36:26.779 --> 00:36:28.360 on that he 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.960 will always be 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:32.400 faithful there's 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.159 a fourth thing 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.559 it's at the 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.299 very end 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.200 what do we 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:35.900 do when we 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.480 look around 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.039 and the wicked 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.920 are prospering 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:40.800 well we 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:43.300 wait we 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:43.800 just wait 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:46.680 but we 00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:47.300 wait in 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:49.200 faith and 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:50.039 in obedience 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:53.000 again it's all 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.380 through the 00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:55.000 psalm seems 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.760 to be highlighted 00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:56.260 here at the 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:56.580 end 00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.960 give verse 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.460 34 00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:00.880 wait for the 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:02.639 lord and 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.059 keep his 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:03.360 way 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:05.360 do you know 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.619 what the 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.400 instruction to 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.800 wait means 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:10.559 that there are 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:11.119 going to be a lot 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:11.760 of times that you 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:12.940 look around and 00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.440 you're thinking 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:16.699 lord where's 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.340 this promise 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:21.360 you said that the 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:21.880 wicked life 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.220 fallen 00:37:22.220 --> 00:37:25.280 I don't see 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.579 it 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:28.559 the bible's not 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.240 hiding from 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.519 that 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:31.800 at present 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:33.600 things are not 00:37:33.600 --> 00:37:34.200 as they ought 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.660 to be 00:37:34.660 --> 00:37:37.700 the promise is 00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:38.500 that one day 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:40.240 one day soon 00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:42.579 god's gonna make 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.119 all things 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.459 right 00:37:43.459 --> 00:37:45.779 therefore 00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:47.059 wait 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:48.559 just wait for 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:48.759 him 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:50.000 just stay 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:50.419 faithful 00:37:50.419 --> 00:37:52.119 just keep 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.519 going 00:37:52.519 --> 00:37:53.739 wait for the 00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:54.339 lord keep 00:37:54.339 --> 00:37:54.819 his way 00:37:54.819 --> 00:37:55.500 he will 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.359 exalt you 00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:57.599 to inherit 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.099 the land 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.759 again that's 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:59.339 it's not a 00:37:59.339 --> 00:37:59.899 promise for you 00:37:59.899 --> 00:38:00.399 to inherit a 00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:00.879 piece of dirt 00:38:00.879 --> 00:38:01.219 in the middle 00:38:01.219 --> 00:38:01.879 east that's 00:38:01.879 --> 00:38:02.299 that's a 00:38:02.299 --> 00:38:02.779 promise of 00:38:02.779 --> 00:38:03.379 an eternal 00:38:03.379 --> 00:38:04.359 country 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:05.679 that's the 00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:06.259 new heavens 00:38:06.259 --> 00:38:06.719 and the new 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:07.500 earth he will 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.079 exalt you 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.599 there you 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.500 will look 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.539 on in that 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.260 judgment and 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:12.179 you will see 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:12.719 the wicked 00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:13.360 perish 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:15.000 not that you'll 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:15.820 delight in it 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.380 but you'll 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:17.099 delight in the 00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:17.860 justice of 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:19.300 god for all 00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:19.780 who will not 00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.579 turn to him 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:22.639 verse 35 00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.860 david speaks 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:24.239 again of 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:25.019 experience i've 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.739 seen a wicked 00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:26.619 ruthless man 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.960 spreading himself 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.579 like a green 00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:29.320 laurel tree 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:32.000 but he died 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:33.340 he passed 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:33.739 away 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:35.679 he was no 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:37.119 more i 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:37.699 sought him 00:38:37.699 --> 00:38:38.699 and he could 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:39.380 not be found 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:41.539 but wicked 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:41.900 are not 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:42.280 immortal 00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:45.460 we get a 00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:46.460 taste even 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:47.860 now of 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.240 god's 00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:49.700 judgment that 00:38:49.700 --> 00:38:50.200 will be brought 00:38:50.200 --> 00:38:50.920 to completion 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:52.220 in their 00:38:52.220 --> 00:38:53.900 future but 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.440 then he tells 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:54.980 us as we're 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.760 waiting that 00:38:55.760 --> 00:38:56.500 there's another 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.579 group to pay 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.240 attention to 00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:59.140 verse 37 00:38:59.140 --> 00:39:01.019 mark the 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:01.660 blameless 00:39:01.660 --> 00:39:04.559 behold the 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.460 upright for 00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:05.880 there is a 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:06.660 future for the 00:39:06.660 --> 00:39:07.460 man of peace 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:09.659 though transgressors 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:10.199 are altogether 00:39:10.199 --> 00:39:11.199 destroyed the 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:11.740 future of the 00:39:11.740 --> 00:39:12.220 wicked will be 00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:12.659 cut off 00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:13.500 there's a 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.340 different future 00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.740 for the 00:39:15.740 --> 00:39:16.559 blameless one 00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:16.920 for the 00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:17.880 upright one 00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.860 and it's 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.760 salvation in 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.400 verse 39 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:23.079 the salvation of 00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:24.000 the righteous is 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:25.500 from the lord 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.699 he is their 00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:27.619 stronghold in 00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:28.220 that time of 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:28.860 trouble the lord 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.900 helps them and 00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:30.740 delivers them he 00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:31.900 delivers them from 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:32.480 the wicked he 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:33.460 saves them because 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.940 they take refuge in 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:36.420 him so david says 00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:37.380 as you're waiting 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:39.360 on the lord watch 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.260 the wicked and see 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:41.039 what actually comes 00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:41.820 of them in time 00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:43.720 they won't prosper 00:39:43.720 --> 00:39:44.320 the way that you 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:46.400 think but don't 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.000 just look at the 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:48.139 wicked he says 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:49.159 watch the righteous 00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:50.000 ones that god has 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.740 put in your life 00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:52.500 watch their way of 00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.980 life watch their 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.500 faith watch their 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:57.300 patience watch their 00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:58.619 holiness and their 00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.599 righteousness lived 00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:00.500 out watch the 00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:02.320 peace that god 00:40:02.320 --> 00:40:04.800 gives them see how 00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:05.920 things end for 00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:08.620 them what do we 00:40:08.620 --> 00:40:11.480 do we wait and 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:13.559 while we wait we 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:16.080 watch we watch what 00:40:16.080 --> 00:40:16.960 the lord does 00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:19.840 it's a real issue 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:22.000 isn't it and it's 00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:22.740 going to be a common 00:40:22.740 --> 00:40:23.620 issue for each of 00:40:23.620 --> 00:40:26.140 us where does jesus 00:40:26.140 --> 00:40:27.000 fit into all of 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.120 this we talk about 00:40:28.120 --> 00:40:28.780 that all the time 00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.220 that the psalms are 00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:31.439 are uniquely 00:40:31.439 --> 00:40:32.699 christological they're 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:33.639 pointing us forward 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:35.459 to a greater king 00:40:35.459 --> 00:40:36.759 and a greater david 00:40:36.759 --> 00:40:40.639 but jesus not only 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.879 lived this wisdom he 00:40:41.879 --> 00:40:43.539 taught it he quotes 00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.839 an earlier verse in 00:40:44.839 --> 00:40:45.819 the beatitudes the 00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:46.679 meek shall inherit the 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:49.019 earth he taught us 00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.899 this wisdom he taught 00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:51.000 us to do this he he 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:52.079 lived this out he 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:54.259 modeled it but he but 00:40:54.259 --> 00:40:54.959 he does more than 00:40:54.959 --> 00:40:57.799 that jesus fulfills the 00:40:57.799 --> 00:40:58.879 wisdom of the psalm he 00:40:58.880 --> 00:41:00.460 fulfills the experience 00:41:00.460 --> 00:41:05.180 of the psalm jesus is 00:41:05.180 --> 00:41:06.140 the righteous one 00:41:06.140 --> 00:41:08.500 persecuted by the 00:41:08.500 --> 00:41:12.240 wicked ones in his 00:41:12.240 --> 00:41:13.119 day it was the wicked 00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:14.920 that seemed always to 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.260 win 00:41:15.260 --> 00:41:19.119 israel as a nation is 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:20.619 under oppression from 00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:24.300 pagan rome and even 00:41:24.300 --> 00:41:26.980 within israel there was 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:29.860 great wickedness abuse of 00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:30.900 the spiritual leaders 00:41:30.900 --> 00:41:33.400 jesus has the full 00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:37.620 experience of that but he 00:41:37.620 --> 00:41:40.460 remains faithful he knows 00:41:40.460 --> 00:41:43.320 their end and he counted 00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:45.519 on the father to vindicate 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:48.580 his righteousness and he 00:41:48.580 --> 00:41:52.380 did his vindication came in 00:41:52.380 --> 00:41:54.019 his resurrection from the 00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:55.240 dead in other words god 00:41:55.240 --> 00:41:56.180 has proven his 00:41:56.180 --> 00:41:57.340 faithfulness he has he 00:41:57.340 --> 00:41:58.220 has proven the 00:41:58.220 --> 00:41:59.820 faithfulness of psalm 37 00:41:59.820 --> 00:42:01.920 through the work of jesus 00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:03.800 christ and his death and 00:42:03.800 --> 00:42:05.280 in his resurrection all of 00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:07.220 us who thus hope understand 00:42:07.220 --> 00:42:09.119 that because jesus has been 00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:12.099 vindicated and because his 00:42:12.099 --> 00:42:14.720 detractors have been judged 00:42:14.720 --> 00:42:18.079 so will ours and our 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:20.119 vindication will come as well 00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:21.819 not because there's something 00:42:21.819 --> 00:42:24.000 unique about us but because 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:26.619 we're in him and we're his 00:42:26.619 --> 00:42:29.460 people by faith so when you 00:42:29.460 --> 00:42:32.159 see the wicked winning be like 00:42:32.159 --> 00:42:32.679 jesus 00:42:32.679 --> 00:42:37.980 don't fret or envy 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:44.819 remember their end relish god's 00:42:44.819 --> 00:42:47.779 faithfulness and wait for him to 00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:50.400 act for he surely will let's pray 00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:52.720 you