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A GUIDE FOR EACE IN A WICKED WORLD

Writer's picture: Pastor Henry L. Allen, SrPastor Henry L. Allen, Sr

October 6, 2024

SUNDAY SERMON

A GUIDE FOR PEACE IN A WICKED WORLD

Psalm 37:1 – 10

Part 1

 

A little boy went into a grocery store and asked the clerk for a box of Duz detergent.  The clerk said, “What do you need the detergent for?”  The little boy replied, “I want to wash my dog.”  The clerk said, “Well, son that Duz detergent is pretty strong for washing a little dog.”

 

The little boy said, “But that’s what I want.”  The clerk said, Well, okay, if, you’re sure.  But you need to be careful when you wash your dog in it.  That Duz detergent is very strong.  It might kill him.”

 

About a week later the little boy came back into the store and the clerk recognized him and asked, “Son, how’s your dog?”  The little boy said, “He’s dead.”  The clerk replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, but I told you that Duz detergent was awfully strong and that it might kill him.”

 

The little boy shook his head and said, I don’t think it was the Duz detergent that killed him, I THINK IT WAS THE RINSE CYCLE THAT GOT HIM.”

 

Brothers and sisters, I believe we all go through the “rinse cycle’ of life in this wicked world before us.

 

The “rinse cycle” can be our marriage, our job, our children, our health, or something else, but it does happen.

There is the looming war in the Middle East, the sad state of the economy, the rising tide of sin and violence in the world, all conspire to steal our joy and peace.  When we take the time to look around, we see those who live lives of wickedness prospering.  When we see this, it renews an ages old struggle over why the wicked prosper while the righteous seem to suffer.  This was the problem Job had.  It was also the problem faced by a man named Asaph. Psalm 73.  If we keep our eyes on the world and all its convulsions this morning, we will most certainly live in fear and uncertainty.

In this particular Psalm, I believe David is telling us that he went through the rinse cycle of life.  He is giving a guide for peace in a wicked world.

Psalm 37 comes from the pen of King David when he is an old man v. 25.  Through his years, he endured many difficult circumstances that caused his heart to fear.  However, through these adversities David learned some lessons about God and his faithfulness that gave him peace while living in this wicked world.   

This morning, in spite of the fact that we live in a difficult world, in the midst of unsettled and uncertain times, I want you to know that you can enjoy peace in the Lord.  Even a peace that “passeth all understanding!” 

From this text, we can learn valuable lessons that come together to form A GUIDE FOR PEACE IN A WICKED WORLD.  Part 1 of this sermon, let’s look at three lessons we can learn for peace in a wicked world.

 

I.                    THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S DISCOVERY v. 1-2

 

A.    Do not worry about the wicked nor envy wrongdoers v. 1.

 It may seem on the surface that the wicked man is prospering and that he is enjoying life to the full, while the righteous man suffers.  This can cause the righteous man “fret”.  This word means, “to be hot, furious, to become angry, to be kindled.”  Sometimes this anger is focused against the wicked man, sometimes it is focused at God.

 

The Psalmist says, “Don’t be angry, when the wicked seem to prosper!  There is an alternative to anger, just look at their future!”

 

B.     Like the grass they soon fade away v. 2.

Like plants they soon die v. 2.

When the righteous person takes the time to think life through, it becomes quickly obvious who had the advantage in life.  The wicked man is like the grass, they are here for a time, then they are cut off forever!  There end is Hell!  On the other hand, the righteous man knows that even though life gets tough sometimes, when it ends, he will ne in Heaven with the Lord.  Christian people go to a place where there is no problems and no pains.

C.     Instead of envy, we should feel pure pity over those who do not know the Lord!

 

II.                 THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S Dwelling v. 3

 

A.    Trust in the Lord and do good: Then you will live safely in the promised land (a symbol of heaven).

Rather than envying the wicked man, which cause us to become like him, David says we are to trust the Lord and always do the right thing in life.  When we do, we can be confident that God will take care of us.

B.     This had been David’s experience.  Even when he was sorely afflicted by his adversaries, he never missed a meal, Psa. 37:25.  The child of God who learns to live in absolutely confidence in His Lord will also find that he will dwell in a place of safety, assurance and provision. Matt. 6:25-34.

 

III.               THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S DELIGHT v. 4

 

Take delight in the LORD—be joyful and thankful: Then He will fulfill the desires of your heart.

A.    Instead of delighting in the things that please the flesh, the righteous man is called upon to find his ultimate source of joy in the Lord.  The wicked man seeks his pleasure in the sins of the flesh and all that the world can provide.  He finds in the end that these things change and can never satisfy the heart!  The righteous man finds his source of pleasure in the Lord.

B.     One of the greatest mistakes we make as children of God when there are problems in our life is to focus on the problem instead of the God behind the problem.  As long as we concentrate on all that is wrong in our lives, we are unable to concentrate on the glory of God and upon His purpose for us in life.  True happiness comes from our delight in the LORD!

 

Responsive Reading: Psalm 37:1-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

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