Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psalm 37:1-3)
As discussed in the previous devotion, the people of God should not be led astray by the alleged prosperity of those who do evil. We shouldn’t be so impressed with their success that we think it appropriate to adopt their ways, whether in attaining worldly riches or the adoration and cooperation of others in wrong doing. As it is written, those who indulge in doing evil will be cut to wither away just as surely as spring grass is mowed down and eventually turns to dust. We are to trust in the Lord and do what is right in His eyes. That being said, let us further consider what is insinuated by likening the wicked to grass and the green herb.
Put simply, grass and the green herb has its root in the ground, or if we may put it this way, the dirt and dust of the earth. In other words, for the wicked, the source for life and sustenance comes from the earth and, consequently, they place their confidence in that which is temporal, which is to say, something that is not eternal. It should also be pointed out that, in reality, the evildoer places their trust in that which is emblematic of carnality and the works of the flesh — no wonder that their works and deeds reflect that from which they come. In contrast to the wicked’s temporal source, God’s people have an eternal source for life, success and prosperity because they are grounded in the Lord.
Though being human obviously connects us to this earth, when we are born again we are born, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Consequently, as sons and daughters of God — those who place their trust in Him — we will be as sheep grazing in His pastures, never having to worry about whether the grass will be cut and withered. By our faith in Him, we are assured of green pastures that will always contain everything we need to live, prosper and dwell in the land that He has given to us. And so, don’t be dismayed or distracted by the supposed success of those who do evil, let us continually and for all time, trust in the goodness of the Eternal One, our Lord and God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments