“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Psalm 37:1
Dear Ones:
One of the great values of the Psalms, apart from teaching us so many great and wonderful truths of God, is the related, and validated experience of the Psalmists in their walk and relationship with God. Their testimony is one of veritable “feet on the ground,” the proving of God in the everyday experiences of life. With regard to the issue of following Christ, and the inevitable diversions or distractions that we are confronted with, whether legitimate or not, we have need, not only to realize that they are very real, but also, of great influence. It is one thing to begin with Christ. It is quite another to finish one’s race well, not being turned aside to some lesser thing. Our attention can easily be diverted from Christ Himself, as our objective and means by which to live, walk, and follow.
In Psalm 37, David writes of lessons learned with regard to distractions, and their consequent effects on the life of the believer. In the first verse, he calls us to not fret, worry, or be preoccupied with “evildoers,” “the workers of iniquity.” This does not mean that we are not to be “wise as serpents,” seeing the works of unbelievers as the Lord Jesus did, and does. Remember that the Lord Jesus, when He walked on this earth, entrusted Himself to no man, because He KNEW man, and what was IN man. The same was true of David, who, after he had sinned greatly on one occasion, had the choice of God’s judgment. That which he immediately refused, was being delivered into the hands of sinful men. Why? He too knew what was in the heart of the unbeliever. How then are we to address this issue of “evildoers” and “workers of iniquity,” and not be distracted? We are to be knowledgeable, but not distracted. The wisdom of the serpent of which the Lord Jesus spoke in the gospels has to do with the avoidance of the obstacle in his path. The serpent will choose always to go around it…until the day that the obstacle moves and refuses to let him pass. It is then that it is to be confronted. And so, it is with the violent, and lawless unbeliever. Prayer is to be made, and all that one can do, believing God to save them. But their deeds and designs are NOT to preoccupy us. Christ is to dominate, not only our vision, but the very essence of our living. The example of the Lord Jesus is always the supreme application of this matter. Though He was surrounded by the very real need of the people, and those who opposed Him, He was was focused upon communion with His Father. Out of that undistracted, and singular devotion, He was enabled to meet the needs of the people, providing for their salvation.
There are two reasons for which we are not to be distracted by the acts and practices of sinners, mockers and those that rage against God. The first is that they are all passing away eventually. “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass…” (v.2) That which is eternal is to preoccupy us rather than that which is passing away, even though apparently successful on this earth. Secondly, God would teach us His ways, that we might truly know Him in the context in which HE has placed us. So, He tells us: “Trust in the Lord, and do good.” (v.3) He would have us occupied with Himself, sharing His blessing with our fellowman. We are called upon to delight ourselves in Him, ever “…Committing our way unto the Lord.” (v.5) There is great promise to such a faith-filled life. He will cause the believer to “dwell in the land,” and know His provision. He will give the desires of His heart, bringing to pass His will in the believer’s life. In short, He will always bless faith, undistracted trust.
Dear Father, Save us from the distractions of our world, enabling us to truly honor Thee by focused faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad