Trusting Truth-40 Days of Psalm 37 (Day 10)

"A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found." -Psalm 37:10

Where is your focus today? Are you focused on the people around you? Are you focused on yourself? Or are you focused on God? Clearly all three are of great importance in our lives, but focusing only on God is what gives us the kind of perspective needed to bring contentment to our own lives and be a blessing to the lives of others. By focusing on God, we learn to trust Him in the way He handles both good and evil around us.

Psalm 37:10 is a reminder that not only does God have my life in His hands but He also deals justly with every other life He created. We need not worry or wonder about whether somebody will get the punishment we believe they deserve. God is just and He clearly states that "the wicked will be no more, though you look for them, they will not be found". How often do we sit in judgement of a person living wickedly, or "ungodly" and then wonder why they have not been struck down by lighting or end up covered in Nickelodeon slime? Then, we see a good person die of Cancer and we respond by questioning God's goodness. The answer to both of these lies in the perspective of the realness of God and a life in His Kingdom. God knows what's best for all of us and by allowing Him to give to each of us as He sees we need, we get out of the way of our own opinions of what is "needed" in favor of His justice and foresight.

This scripture is a great reminder not only of God's justice but also His patience. Notice that the scripture started off with "A little while..."If God responded to evil the way we do, everyone would be dead instantly and the grace and love that He gives through Christ would not be needed. 2 Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." God desires that we all choose Him, and when we live a life of evil and wickedness without accepting the gift of grace and love through Christ we can expect nothing less than being without God and those who love and worship Him.

We need to constantly be reminded of God's control over everything. More than destruction and hell for those who are created in His image, God wants everyone to be with Him in His Kingdom for eternity, that's why He is patient in His long term punishment (though the repercussions of evil acts can of course be felt in this earthly life). It is not our job to look around and hope something awful would happen to those who do evil because God will give them the punishment they deserve if they decide against the invitation of forgiveness through Christ. We also need to remember that every evil act needs forgiveness, therefore, we ought to pray for those who don't know Christ that they may come to know Him for who He is: Savior, Lord, Redeemer and Friend.

Today, trust that God knows what's best for all of us. He knows that there are consequences to our actions in this life and the next. It is not our job to decide who "deserves" to be gone today. If you are tired of evil, be patient, God is, and He will do away with all evil on that amazing day that we come into His presence. In the meantime, focus on Him and be a blessing because we are blessed.