Trusting God Amidst Injustice: An Eternal Perspective

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the profound and often troubling question of why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. We began by acknowledging that everyone has experienced being wronged, whether in small, irritating ways or through life-altering events. The desire for justice is a natural response to these wrongs, but what happens when justice is not served? This question can lead to deep emotional turmoil and even anger.

We explored Psalm 37, which addresses this very issue. The psalm provides a framework for understanding a world where the wicked seem to thrive and the righteous suffer. It offers four key perspectives to help us navigate this reality:

1. We live in a broken world filled with depraved people who sin.
2. We should expect the wicked to prosper.
3. God values free will, which allows for both love and the existence of evil.
4. Our lives are eternal, extending beyond birth and death to eternity.

These perspectives help us to not be surprised by the prosperity of the wicked and to trust in God's ultimate justice. The psalm also instructs us not to fret or become angry, as this leads to our own sinful actions. Instead, we are called to trust in the Lord, who sees all and will judge all.

We discussed how God provides and protects the righteous, even in times of need, and how He will ultimately judge the wicked. The psalm assures us that God loves justice and will not forsake His saints. We are encouraged to live righteously, knowing that God will hold everyone accountable for their actions.

Finally, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in eternity. One day, the wicked will be judged, and we will live in a world of abundant peace, free from the fear of being wronged. This eternal perspective should shape our actions and attitudes, leading us to trust in God, do good, and turn away from evil.

### Key Takeaways

1. Understanding a Broken World: We live in a world filled with depraved people who sin, and we should expect to be affected by their actions. This perspective helps us not to be surprised when we are wronged and to understand that such experiences are part of living in a fallen world. [45:59]

2. The Value of Free Will: God places a high value on free will, which allows for both love and the existence of evil. This means that while we experience the consequences of others' sinful actions, we also have the opportunity to choose righteousness and experience a genuine relationship with God. [47:12]

3. Eternal Perspective: Our lives are not defined by birth and death but by birth and eternity. This eternal perspective helps us to trust in God's ultimate justice and to live righteously, knowing that our true reward lies beyond this life. [48:20]

4. Trusting in God's Justice: We are called to trust in the Lord and not to fret or become angry when the wicked prosper. God sees all and will judge all. Our anger often reflects a lack of trust in God's timing and justice. Instead, we should focus on living righteously and doing good. [52:10]

5. Living Righteously in a Broken World: A person who trusts in the Lord knows God's word, turns from evil, and lives with integrity. This means being content with what we have, not envying the prosperity of the wicked, and having pity for those who will ultimately lose everything. [01:08:07]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[35:42] - Introduction and Prayer
[36:24] - The Desire for Justice
[37:07] - When Justice is Absent
[37:56] - Personal Stories of Injustice
[40:46] - Larger Scale Injustices
[42:50] - Questioning God's Justice
[43:52] - Psalm 37 Overview
[44:59] - Four Key Perspectives
[45:59] - Expecting Wickedness
[47:12] - The Value of Free Will
[48:20] - Eternal Perspective
[49:25] - Understanding "Fret Not"
[50:14] - Trusting in the Lord
[52:10] - Reasons to Trust God
[57:11] - God's Provision and Protection
[01:02:03] - God's Love for Justice
[01:04:54] - Eternal Hope and Peace
[01:08:07] - Living Righteously
[01:13:07] - Waiting for God's Timing
[01:17:10] - Personal Story: Trusting in Justice
[01:20:23] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 37:1-40 - This Psalm addresses the issue of why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, providing a framework for understanding and responding to this reality.

### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 37, what are we instructed to do instead of fretting or becoming angry when the wicked prosper? ([49:25])
2. What does Psalm 37 say about the ultimate fate of the wicked and the righteous? ([55:23])
3. How does Psalm 37 describe God's provision and protection for the righteous? ([57:11])
4. What does the Psalmist mean by saying "the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace"? ([01:05:52])

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that we live in a broken world filled with depraved people help us cope with being wronged? ([45:59])
2. Why is it significant that God values free will, even though it allows for the existence of evil? ([47:12])
3. How does having an eternal perspective change the way we view justice and suffering in this life? ([48:20])
4. What are the reasons given in the sermon for trusting in God's justice, even when it seems delayed? ([52:10])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were wronged and justice was not served. How did you handle your anger and desire for justice? What could you have done differently in light of Psalm 37? ([37:56])
2. How can you cultivate trust in God's ultimate justice in your daily life, especially when you see the wicked prospering? ([52:10])
3. What practical steps can you take to live righteously in a broken world, as described in Psalm 37? ([01:08:07])
4. How can you remind yourself of the eternal perspective when you face injustices or sufferings? ([48:20])
5. Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you pray for them and release your anger, trusting in God's justice? ([01:20:23])
6. How can you be content with what you have and avoid envying the prosperity of the wicked? ([01:10:40])
7. In what ways can you actively pursue justice in your community while maintaining a godly attitude? ([01:15:27])

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding a Broken World
In a world filled with depraved people who sin, it is inevitable that we will be affected by their actions. This understanding helps us not to be surprised when we are wronged and to recognize that such experiences are part of living in a fallen world. By acknowledging the brokenness around us, we can better navigate our own responses and maintain our faith in God's ultimate plan. This perspective encourages us to remain steadfast and not let the actions of the wicked shake our trust in God's justice. [45:59]

Psalm 73:3-5 (ESV): "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt wronged or witnessed injustice. How can you remind yourself that such experiences are part of living in a broken world and trust in God's ultimate justice?

Day 2: The Value of Free Will
God places a high value on free will, which allows for both love and the existence of evil. This means that while we experience the consequences of others' sinful actions, we also have the opportunity to choose righteousness and experience a genuine relationship with God. Free will is a gift that enables us to love God authentically, but it also means that evil can exist. Understanding this balance helps us to appreciate the depth of our relationship with God and the importance of our choices. [47:12]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent choice you made that aligned with God's will. How did exercising your free will in this way deepen your relationship with Him?

Day 3: Eternal Perspective
Our lives are not defined by birth and death but by birth and eternity. This eternal perspective helps us to trust in God's ultimate justice and to live righteously, knowing that our true reward lies beyond this life. By focusing on eternity, we can endure present sufferings and injustices with the hope of a future where God's justice prevails. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary struggles to the everlasting peace and joy that await us in God's presence. [48:20]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary struggles to the eternal promises of God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this eternal perspective?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Justice
We are called to trust in the Lord and not to fret or become angry when the wicked prosper. God sees all and will judge all. Our anger often reflects a lack of trust in God's timing and justice. Instead, we should focus on living righteously and doing good. Trusting in God's justice means believing that He will right all wrongs in His perfect timing, even when we cannot see it. This trust allows us to release our anger and focus on our own walk with God. [52:10]

Romans 12:19 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been holding onto anger or a desire for revenge. How can you release this to God and trust in His perfect justice?

Day 5: Living Righteously in a Broken World
A person who trusts in the Lord knows God's word, turns from evil, and lives with integrity. This means being content with what we have, not envying the prosperity of the wicked, and having pity for those who will ultimately lose everything. Living righteously involves daily choices to follow God's commands and to reflect His love and justice in our actions. It is a commitment to integrity and faithfulness, even when it seems that the wicked are prospering. [01:08:07]

1 Peter 3:12-14 (ESV): "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate integrity and righteousness in your daily life, especially when you see others prospering through unjust means? How can you find contentment in God's provision for you?

Quotes

1. "Justice doesn't always remedy or take care of the hurt or the damage done by wicked people or bad people, but justice is the one thing we want. Justice is what we want. It's not what we cry out for. It's what we seek. And truthfully, it's what we expect. We want justice when we have been hurt by someone. But what about those times when there is no justice?" [37:07] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We can even go to a greater scale when we think of the global world and all of the injustices that are happening in the world today. I think of all the aborted babies. Where's their justice? Especially when the justice system permits their abortions to happen. It makes me angry. And all of these things. And each one of you could add your story to a never-ending list of bad people prospering from doing evil things." [42:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you read Psalm 37, you want to make sure you catch the bigger picture of the entire Psalm. The bigger picture of the entire Psalm is this reality that there are depraved bad people in the world who will do wicked things that will affect you and me and they might get away with it. And so what that tells us is that there are four important perspectives that we need to make sure we have. And if we don't have them, we want to add them or correct them." [44:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The first is that we live in a broken world of depraved or bad people who sin. There are many of them that are wicked and we will be affected by their brokenness. In fact, we should actually expect it. We know it's true, right? But aren't we always surprised when it happens? Like oh, especially when it happens to us personally and we're touched by it. Oh, didn't expect that to happen. But there's a sense of foolishness if one is naive enough to think that our lives would not be affected or directly impacted by this reality or this perspective." [45:59] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The second perspective is that because we live in this broken world. With depraved people, many of whom are wicked and do bad things. We should expect them to prosper. Yeah, it seems like they get away with it. It shouldn't surprise us. It stinks, but it shouldn't surprise us. So then the third one is one that is often missed or forgotten and that is God places a high value on free will. Our world is the way it is because it's full of human beings that are depraved." [47:12] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The last perspective. The fourth perspective is understanding that your life is eternal. It's not defined by birth and death as we often think, but our lives are defined by birth and eternity. And I want to talk about that a little bit later. These four perspectives are important for us to have. That we live in a broken world that will impact each one of us so that we shouldn't be surprised when bad people prosper because God has purposely given us free will. And that our life encompasses birth to eternity." [48:20] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. You mean to tell me that it's better to have little and live righteously than to have all the prosperity that the wicked have? Yeah. Yeah, it's better. It's better because it comes with the assurance that he will always provide for you in times of need and he will not abandon you. He will not abandon us to the wicked." [57:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We can trust God because he sees all of humankind and all that we do, and he will judge and he will provide and protect for the righteous. The third reason to trust in God is because he loves justice. And we will once one day see that God is just. For me, one of the most powerful verses in this Psalm is verse 28. Says the steps of the man are established by the Lord." [01:02:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We can trust God because one day the wicked will lose everything and will be destroyed, but we will live forever without worrying about being taken advantage of again. If you read through the psalm, it's amazing how many times we see the destiny of the wicked clearly presented. How many times it says that they will be cut off and the psalmist contrasts that. With the number of times that he talks about the righteous is eternal future and inheritance that will never be lost." [01:04:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So how are you doing your actions reflect a genuine trust in the God of justice as you live in this broken world this past month when I went to Texas to be with our son and his family. This past month when I went to Texas to be with our son and his family. and my son is a police officer. I live my alter life through him because if I wasn't in ministry, I know without a doubt, I'd be a policeman." [01:17:10] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?