When Evil Things Happen

 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.

A few days ago, I opened my Bible and read Psalm 37.  My heart reflected and considered the evil in this present world.  I wrote these words above the psalm in my worn Book of truth:

"Read this psalm when evil things happen in the world, and I don't understand why."

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

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 brings wicked schemes to pass.

Little did I know what was coming.  I told my husband, shared how this psalm brings healing to my heart when I hear about shootings, bombings, terror groups, evil.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Do not fret—it only causes harm.

For evildoers shall be cut off;

But those who wait on the Lord,

They shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,

But it shall be no more.

But the meek shall inherit the earth,

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

The next morning, I awoke to the news of the 21 brothers in Christ, killed for their faith, blood shed for the sake of the message of my Savior.  My heart hurt, but my mind knew where to go.  My thoughts immediately went to the psalm, and I meditated on it in a new way, reflecting on the newest act of evil.  

The wicked plots against the just,

And gnashes at him with his teeth.

The Lord laughs at him,

For He sees that his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn the sword

And have bent their bow,

To cast down the poor and needy,

To slay those who are of upright conduct.

Their sword shall enter their own heart,

And their bows shall be broken.

Dear friends, let us not lose hope in this present world.  Let us remember the words of truth that never fail.  Let us "feed on His faithfulness," read the truth and speak words of truth to a hurting world.  

 Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell forevermore.

For the Lord loves justice,

And does not forsake His saints;

They are preserved forever,

But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous shall inherit the land,

And dwell in it forever.

When we see these acts of evil, let us not forget the promise of a God who never fails.  He will preserve His saints forever.  Let us trust Him, hope in Him, turn to Him, and talk all the more about Him when evil happens.

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;

For the future of that man is peace.

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;

The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;

He shall deliver them from the wicked,

And save them,

Because they trust in Him.

When evil things happen in this world, we know who has the final victory.  The evildoers may feel victorious for a fleeting moment, but our God is victorious for eternity.  May we never forget that.

Read all of Psalm 37 here.