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(By Pastor Larry Burkholder)
"When Wickedness Rules - Part 2"
Psalm 37
The wickedness which I had been addressing in the last study is that of the wicked who imagine they can get along without God. And, yes, they feel an element of success, but this is so temporary as compared to eternity. The wicked, we must remember, are being led down this seriously devastating road by the wicked one, Satan. The only way in which they shall escape his purposeful misleading is by coming to our Lord Jesus Christ. Is this not how we were saved from his (Satan's) misleading in our lives? AMEN!
In Psalm 37:1-11 we saw how we are tremendously blessed because He has saved us from Satan's misleading ways and means.
I. Our Possibilities Are Strange to the Wicked (37:1-11).
A. Our discovery (37:1,2)
B. Our dwelling (37:3)
C. Our delight (37:4)
D. Our dependence (37:5,6)
E. Our discipline (37:7)
F. Our deliverance (37:8-10)
G. Our domain (37:11)
II. Overt Policies of the Wicked (37:12-22)
A. His wicked devices (37:12,13)
In the book of Esther, I am reminded of Mordecai whose righteousness far exceeded that of his primary nemesis, Haman. Imagine the relief of both Mordecai and Esther when they saw the body of Haman hanging in the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai. Why would Haman do such a thing? His overt policy of wickedness was well-noted by God and He stepped in to save both Mordecai and Esther. The wicked if left to their own plots and ploys will do what they can to destroy us who are God's truly born-again children.
That world "plotteth" in our text means "to make meticulous plans to bring themselves assurances." This is exactly what Haman did. Give this sort of people credit as he did not just throw out a plan in haste; but instead planned something that he carefully maneuvered and measured to bring about his greatest pleasure. Had not God interceded through the measures of faithful Mordecai and Esther, God's chosen people would be annihilated.
Interestingly, our world wants the same for God's chosen people today. But we know from Scripture that this will never happen as our God yet has His hand on Israel whom He promised to bless from the days of Abraham. He certainly has kept His Word! AMEN!
B. His wicked decisiveness (37:14,15)
We know a little about this today as we live in a day when the wicked are deciding how we are going to live and who is going to live by our so-called "public servants". As with Mordecai and Esther, unless the Lord decides to intervene in response to our praying, we too will face the pressures of these great saints of God.
Such names as come to my mind are Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Tse Tung, Kim Jung Un, the Shah of Iran, Putin and the list could go on. With the exception of Putin, Kin Jung Un, and the premier of China today, God has already intervened in putting a stop to the wickedness pushed upon the people of their country.
Dr. John Phillips writes of this verse: "But God has a sword for them, a sword which will enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."
"Plotteth" means "to make meticulous plans to bring themselves assurances." Plots that work are never thrown up in haste; but these are carefully measured so as to bring about their greatest pleasure to those who are trying to achieve their goal.
Was not Haman one such who "plotteth"; but yet it did not work out well for him? Why? God's justice again can be seen in this book of Esther.
"Numberless individuals (usually young) out to impress others, only wind up in the morgue." (Dr. Robert Sorenson)
C. His wickedly earned desires (37:16,17)
To us, does it not seem that the wicked are always prospering?
General Booth of the Salvation Army asked Cecil Rhodes, the wealthiest man in the world in his day, if he was a happy man. The South African gold-and-diamond magnate replied: "Me, happy? Good heavens, no!"
The rich and famous of any period of history have a similar response to the same question. In actuality, the rich are no different today, just perhaps a bit more wealthier!
Solomon was one who was wealthy. He writes in Proverbs 10:22, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it. "
He also wrote: "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Proverbs 13:7)
Fellow Christians, we need not ever worry ourselves about the wicked prospering. Our Lord’s scrutinous eyes are ever on us and He knows what we need at any time in our lives.
I close this point with a reading of Proverbs 15:9 - "The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord; BUT HE LOVETH HIM THAT FOLLOWETH AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS." Do not ever be deluded by any prosperity preacher!
D. His wicked destruction (37:18-20)
He has no defense. He has not protection. "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." (37:20)
Verse 20 is highlighted with a comparative commentary on the "upright" in 37:18,19. What an opposite future for them, blessing upon blessing.
What exactly did we read back in 37:1? "Fret not thyself because of the evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." Why? That answer is found in 37:2, "For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb."
E. His wicked desertion of duty (37:21,22)
Desertion of the Lord will always lead to desertion of duty to the Lord and the ministry of the local church. The verses before us (37:21,22) show us how the wicked purposefully borrow money, sugar, milk, corn, oats, a tank of gas, and never repay. And, generally speaking, the righteous, born-again Christian has to "take it on the chin" and never gets to collect what was basically stolen from him.
Let's look further down in Psalm 37 at verse 28 where we read: "For the Lord loveth judgment and forsake not his saints: they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."
Another out of text verse reads: ''. . .the seed of the evil doers shall never be renowned." Their seed, their prodigy, their children, their heirs, will be forgotten. And if they should perhaps be remembered in some lesser way, it will be done in disgust and disdain.
The child of God, if faithful to God, will never have to worry or contend with that happening to them when they walk with the Lord faithfully heeding and abiding in His Word. AMEN!
In closing, I leave you with this quote: "There is no treasure in the unprincipled pursuits favored by the wicked because he thinks he can get away with them because so often it seems he does. But that is because his perspectives are warped, which is David's next great theme," (Dr. John Phillips)
Let's all of us take to heart this promise: "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." (Psalm 32:7)
"0 soul, are your weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
Thru death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion - For more than conquerors we are!
His word shall not fail you - He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Iook full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace." Remember that ole' hymn of Helen H. Lemmel? It might pay us to sing it daily just to keep our minds clear! AMEN!
