SUNDAY SERMON
A GUIDE FOR PEACE IN A WICKED WORLD
Psalm 37:1 – 10
Part 2
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 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.
1. The Righteous Person’s Discovery v. 1-2
2. The Righteous Person’s Dwelling v. 3
3. The Righteous Person’s Delight v. 4
Today we will look at Part 2 of this sermon: A GUIDE FOR PEACE IN A WICKED WORLD.
IV. THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S DEPENDENCE v. 5-6
A. Commit everything you do to the LORD and trust in Him (v. 5-6).
To commit (galal) means to roll (v. 5). It is the word used to describe rolling a stone. Instead of fretting we should commit our way to the LORD----roll all our burdens on Him. When we trust Him, He will help us by taking care of everything that concerns us, bringing His purpose to pass.
B. As we commit every matter of our lives to God and continue in obedience to His will, He will defend us against the wrongs ungodly people inflict upon us. God will use your righteousness as a testimony. He will make the justice of your cause shine brightly. When we face severe trials, many people falsely conclude that God is judging, just as they concluded about Job. And, sadly, when vicious people slander us, foolish people assume that they are telling the truth. But when we leave these things in the LORD’s hands, He will vindicate us by causing our righteousness to break through the slanderers and foolish people accusations like the morning sun. By blessing us so obviously and judging those who sin against us, God will establish our testimony.
The righteous person’s dependence on God!
V. THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S DISCIPLINE v. 7
A. Rest in the LORD: Calmly surrender to Him and wait patiently for His
deliverance. Instead of becoming heated or stirred up over evildoers, we
should calmly rest in the LORD. Rest (damam) means to be silent and
still, to be quiet and to settle one’s nerves, to be at peace. it indicates the
absence of emotional distress and having the ability to be quiet and relax.
We should rest in the confidence that God will deal with the wicked. God
works according to His timetable, not ours. Therefore, we need to wait
patiently for Him to do as he deems best. Be at peace, David advises, for
in time the wicked will be brought down.
B. Instead of relying upon anger to bring about change, we are called upon to
exercise godly wisdom and use other weapons in our battle. You see, our
weapons in the conflict we are waging are not carnal or material, they are
spiritual in nature, (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Therefore, we need to focus on God and
His faithfulness rather than on the ways of the wicked. Rest in the LORD:
Calmly surrender to Him and wait patiently for His deliverance.
VI. THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S DELIVERANCE v. 8-10
A. Again, we are cautioned against anger verse 8, the focus of the anger suggests it is against God and His seeming delays in life. Instead of anger, we are commanded to be free from anger toward God or the wicked, and we are to be free from fear and worry. We are reminded that in the end, we win!
B. Resting in God’s promise---the fact that the wicked will be condemned---can help us remain calm when ungodly people sin against us (v. 9). As we wait upon the LORD to judge the wicked, He comforts us with assurance that we will inherit the earth or land.
C. For now, it appears that the wicked are prospering. But after a little while, in accordance with God’s timing and His plan, they will disappear from the earth and be no more (v. 10).
One day the pleasures of the wicked will end in the pains of Hell. While the problems of the righteous will end in the palaces of Heaven.
A GUIDE FOR PEACE IN A WICKED WORLD!
1. The Righteous Person’s Discovery v. 1-2
2. The Righteous Person” Dwelling v. 3
3. The Righteous Person’s Delight v. 4
4. The Righteous Person’s Dependence v. 5-6
5. The Righteous Person’s Discipline v. 7
6. The Righteous Person’s Deliverance v. 8-10
Responsive Reading: Psalm 37: 1-10
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