We should not worry about the state of the world, as the more we worry, the more likely we are to err, to trip, and then, fall into what isn't necessary! As evil increases it is definitely a cause for caution, and for distraction, thus, we must ALWAYS remind ourselves of our BLESSED state IN our LORD, and NOT grow anxious to the point of being placed in harm's way, either by our inclination to trust in the self, or to waver, or to cower under the pressures of those enemies of THE LORD!!!
EVERYONE, and EVERYTHING which works against THE LORD *GOD*, HIS WILL, and righteousness IS held accountable, and WILL be recompensed, TEACHING us to NOT be overly wrapped up in the matters of inequity, except for aiding others who suffer from them, BECAUSE for those who afflict a day IS coming upon them like the sky falling on them, and if we are consumed by such matters, we set ourselves up for more troubles, as well as being ensnared by them...
ALL those OF THE LORD have work to do, which HONOURS HIM, and has purpose TO HIS WILL, as well as aids in bringing others into THE LIGHT! All envy, fear, and strife of every sort is nothing more than those obstacles on THE PATH, and while we might experience them, we LIFT UP in PRAYERS, in FAITH, in FAITHFULNESS, as we remember our TRUTH, ever resisting being overtaken, or enmeshed in such! Our *GOD* IS WORKING WONDERS in us, around us, and through us, which doesn't mean we won't ever be challenged along THE WAY, instead that we simply, get right back in the running, PRAISING, and WORSHIPING, and REJOICING, FULLY CONVINCED of our BLESSED state!!!
1+++Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
2+++For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
3+++Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4+++Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5+++Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6+++He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.
7+++Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8+++Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9+++For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
10+++Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.
11+++But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
12+++The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13+++The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees his day is coming.
14+++The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.
15+++Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.
16+++Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.
17+++For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the LORD sustains the righteous.
18+++The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.
19+++They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.
20+++But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
21+++The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.
22+++For those blessed by Him will inherit the land,
But those cursed by Him will be cut off.
23+++The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24+++When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
25+++I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
26+++All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.
27+++Depart from evil and do good,
So you will abide forever.
28+++For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
29+++The righteous will inherit the land
And dwell in it forever.
30+++The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
31+++The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.
32+++The wicked spies upon the righteous
And seeks to kill him.
33+++The LORD will not leave him in his hand
Or let him be condemned when he is judged.
34+++Wait for the LORD and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35+++I have seen a wicked, violent man
Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
36+++Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more;
I sought for him, but he could not be found.
37+++Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;
For the man of peace will have a posterity.
38+++But transgressors will be altogether destroyed;
The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.
39+++But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in time of trouble.
40+++The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.
When we look abroad we see the world full of evil-doers, that flourish and live in ease. So it was seen of old, therefore let us not marvel at the matter. We are tempted to fret at this, to think them the only happy people, and so we are prone to do like them: but this we are warned against. Outward prosperity is fading. When we look forward, with an eye of faith, we shall see no reason to envy the wicked. Their weeping and wailing will be everlasting.
Let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the little which is allotted to the righteous, is more comfortable and more profitable than the ill-gotten and abused riches of ungodly men. It comes from a hand of special love. God provides plentifully and well, not only for his working servants, but for his waiting servants. They have that which is better than wealth, peace of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God; that peace which the world cannot give, and which the world cannot have. God knows the believer's days. Not one day's work shall go unrewarded. Their time on earth is reckoned by days, which will soon be numbered; but heavenly happiness shall be for ever. This will be a real support to believers in evil times. Those that rest on the Rock of ages, have no reason to envy the wicked the support of their broken reeds.
The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly merciful, will be ever merciful. We must leave our sins; learn to do well, and cleave to it. This is true religion. The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. Few, if any, have known the consistent believer, or his children, reduced to abject, friendless want. God forsakes not his saints in affliction; and in heaven only the righteous shall dwell for ever; that will be their everlasting habitation. A good man may fall into the hands of a messenger of Satan, and be sorely buffeted, but God will not leave him in his enemy's hands.
Duty is ours, and we must mind it; but events are God's, we must refer the disposal of them to him. What a striking picture is in ver. 35,36, of many a prosperous enemy of God! But God remarkably blights the projects of the prosperous wicked, especially persecutors. None are perfect in themselves, but believers are so in Christ Jesus. If all the saint's days continue dark and cloudy, his dying day may prove comfortable, and his sun set bright; or, if it should set under a cloud, yet his future state will be everlasting peace. The salvation of the righteous will be the Lord's doing. He will help them to do their duties, to bear their burdens; help them to bear their troubles well, and get good by them, and, in due time, will deliver them out of their troubles. Let sinners then depart from evil, and do good; repent of and forsake sin, and trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Let them take his yoke upon them, and learn of him, that they may dwell for evermore in heaven. Let us mark the closing scenes of different characters, and always depend on God's mercy.
No comments:
Post a Comment