“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” Psalm 37:1
When Christ began His ministry the day of His baptism by John the Baptist, at the Jordan River, He entered into a trajectory of life and purpose that was centered, directed entirely by the will of His Father. His mission was an eternal one, and one which at all costs must be accomplished. The design of the Father concerning this mission was formed before the foundation of the world, the importance of it being beyond measure, as it would touch all the families of every tongue, people, and nation. From the moment of the Spirit of God descending upon Him at the Jordan, he would be confronted by an enemy, the very enemy of our souls, who would employ great means to cause the Son of God to deviate from His path. Christ, having been prepared by the Father, being filled with the Spirit from before His birth, was led by the Spirit to be filled also with a knowledge of Scripture, the truth. It would be by this truth being brought before Him in the moment that He needed it, either to overcome temptation, or to avoid the entrapments of the enemy by distractions, that He would remain unentangled from the affairs of this world, to remain free to love, serve, and please the Father. Though Christ’s mission was ever before Him, He lived in the freedom of fellowship with His Father, refusing to be deterred or distracted by anything or anyone. His focus was upon the Father, and the fulfillment of His will and purpose. The disciple of Christ is called upon to live in like manner, as many of the same hindrances to doing the will of God faces him. To neglect to follow in Christ’s steps and live in the attitude that He had with regard to hindrances and distractions, is to first of all be robbed of fellowship with Christ, being robbed also of opportunity to accomplish the mission, or the realization of the calling of God. Hence, the Lord lays out for us signposts by which we are warned concerning distractions, entanglements, and pitfalls.
In Psalm 37, David, though he lived over three thousand years ago, was led of the Lord to begin this song, this hymn, by declaring that “evildoers,” and workers of iniquity can be a very real distraction, or preoccupation, to the point of ceasing to pursue the goal set by God. The context of the believer today, as it was in Jesus’ day, one where sin abounded, there being no lack of evil-minded people, who were bent on defying God and living in a manner that was in opposition to that which was good in the sight of God. The sheer number of these people, and their deeds, especially those of great authority and power, could be a great distraction, and preoccupation, turning one’s gaze away from Christ to the need of the hour. No one was ever more conscious of the wickedness of men than the Lord Jesus, who would be crucified by them. And yet, He prayed for all men, and refused to be entangled or weighed down, dominated by their need, and the influence that they had upon others. Jesus would also not neglect the sincere cry of the individual heart, the call of the needy soul to God for salvation and present help. Though ever surrounded by an ocean of need, the vision of His mission and purpose was never deviated from.
The Apostle Paul was another person of singular objective. To Timothy he would write: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called.” (1 Tim. 6:11) He would also instruct Timothy to stir up the gift of God in him, ever relying upon the Spirit’s power, love, and soundness of mind.
Dear Father, Keep us faithfully focused. In Jesus’ name, Amen.