Trusting God Amidst Injustice and Evil

Summary

Psalm 64 gives us a window into David’s heart as he faces relentless opposition and evil. Surrounded by those who plot in secret, who use words as weapons and lay traps with careful intent, David does not turn to the world’s solutions—he turns to God. His first instinct is prayer, seeking refuge and justice not from human courts or public opinion, but from the Lord Himself. David’s complaint is not just about his own suffering, but about the reality of evil and injustice in the world. He recognizes that the harm done to him is the fruit of deeper wickedness, and he brings this before God, trusting that only God can truly address it.

The psalm paints a vivid picture of the powerlessness of the righteous in the face of calculated evil. When lies and slander are carefully constructed, the truth often seems powerless to defend itself. Yet, David’s hope is not in his own ability to vindicate himself, but in God’s justice. God’s response is both direct and poetic: as the wicked shoot their arrows, God shoots His own, bringing sudden and fitting judgment. There is a natural justice at work as well—those who live by lies and violence are often undone by the very weapons they wield. Sin carries within itself the seeds of its own destruction.

This reality leads all who witness it to ponder God’s power and goodness. When God’s justice is revealed, it causes people to reconsider their own lives, their own sin, and their relationship with Him. The call is to rejoice in the Lord, to take refuge in Him, and not to trust in the world’s methods of self-defense or retaliation. Instead, we are to sow faith, forgiveness, and goodness, trusting that God will bring about true justice in His time.

Yet, there is a sobering reminder: we are not always the innocent David. Sometimes, we are the ones whose words wound, whose hearts plot evil, even against ourselves. The only hope for any of us—whether victim or perpetrator—is to turn to God in repentance, trusting in the forgiveness purchased by Christ. In Him, we find both justice and mercy, and the invitation to rejoice and take refuge is open to all who will lay down their sin and trust in Jesus.

Key Takeaways

- Turning to God First in Trouble
When faced with injustice or the attacks of others, the first and most vital response is to turn to God in prayer. This is not just a spiritual reflex, but a deliberate act of faith that acknowledges God as the highest and most just authority. The repetition of this theme throughout Scripture reminds us how easily we forget it, and how essential it is to our spiritual survival. [33:33]

- The Powerlessness of the Righteous and the Certainty of God’s Justice
In a world where evil can be meticulously planned and truth seems weak, the righteous often appear powerless. Yet, God’s justice is not thwarted by human schemes; He acts in His time, often bringing about justice both through direct intervention and through the natural consequences of sin. This dual reality calls us to patience and trust, knowing that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. [23:51]

- The Principle of Reaping What We Sow
God has woven into creation a moral order: what we sow, we will reap. If we respond to sin with more sin—anger, bitterness, or retaliation—we only multiply brokenness. But if we sow faith, forgiveness, and goodness, we will reap life and wholeness from God. This principle is both a warning and a promise, urging us to examine what we are planting in our lives and relationships. [36:24]

- God’s Justice: Terror for the Unrepentant, Comfort for the Redeemed
The coming of God’s justice is a fearful thing for those who persist in sin, for it is the full display of His love and power. Yet for those who trust in Him, it is a source of deep comfort and hope, promising the healing of all that is broken. Our response to the prospect of God’s justice reveals where our trust and love truly lie. [38:30]

- Repentance and Refuge in Christ for Sinners and the Sinned-Against
We are not always the innocent party; often, we are the ones in need of forgiveness. The good news is that in Christ, forgiveness is available for all who turn to Him, no matter how deep the sin. The invitation to rejoice and take refuge in God is open to every person who will lay aside their sin and trust in the finished work of Jesus. [42:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to Psalm 64
[02:10] - David’s Plea for Protection
[04:05] - The Nature of the Enemy’s Attacks
[07:30] - The Depth of Human Evil
[10:15] - The Powerlessness of the Righteous
[13:00] - God’s Justice: Divine and Natural
[16:20] - The Consequences of Sin
[18:38] - The World’s Response to God’s Justice
[21:00] - The Root of Sin: Doubting God’s Goodness and Power
[24:00] - The Call to Rejoice and Take Refuge
[27:00] - Sowing and Reaping: The Spiritual Principle
[30:00] - God’s Justice: Terror and Comfort
[33:00] - When We Are the Wicked
[36:00] - Redemption and Forgiveness in Christ
[39:00] - Final Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Psalm 64 – Turning to God in the Face of Evil

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 64 (ESV)

> 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
> 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers,
> 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
> 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
> 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?”
> 6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
> 7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.
> 8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads.
> 9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.
> 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!

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### Observation Questions

1. What are some of the specific ways David describes the attacks of his enemies in Psalm 64? ([21:01])
2. According to the psalm, what is David’s first response when he faces trouble and opposition? ([20:13])
3. How does God respond to the actions of the wicked, according to verses 7-8? ([23:51])
4. What is the reaction of people who witness God’s justice, as described in verse 9? ([27:23])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does David choose to bring his complaint to God rather than seeking help from human courts or public opinion? What does this reveal about his view of God? ([20:13])
2. The sermon mentions that the righteous often seem powerless in the face of evil. Why might God allow this, and how does this challenge our usual ways of seeking justice? ([23:51])
3. The principle of “reaping what we sow” is highlighted in the sermon. How does this principle function both as a warning and a promise for believers? ([36:24])
4. The sermon points out that sometimes we are not the innocent David, but the ones whose words wound others. How does this realization affect the way we approach God and others? ([41:53])

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### Application Questions

1. When you face injustice or are hurt by others, what is your first instinct? Do you tend to turn to God in prayer, or do you look for solutions elsewhere? What would it look like to make prayer your first response this week? ([33:33])
2. Can you think of a time when you felt powerless in the face of someone else’s wrongdoing? How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of God’s promise of justice? ([23:51])
3. The sermon warns against responding to sin with more sin—like anger, bitterness, or retaliation. Are there relationships or situations in your life where you are tempted to “fight fire with fire”? What would it look like to sow faith, forgiveness, or goodness instead? ([36:24])
4. The psalm says that those who witness God’s justice “ponder what he has done.” How can you make space in your life to reflect on God’s justice and goodness, especially when you see wrongs being made right? ([27:23])
5. The sermon reminds us that sometimes we are the ones who have wounded others with our words or actions. Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from, or a situation where you need to repent and ask God for mercy? ([41:53])
6. The invitation to rejoice and take refuge in God is open to all who lay down their sin and trust in Jesus. What does it mean for you personally to “take refuge” in God right now? ([45:09])
7. Are there “weapons” or “methods” of the world (like gossip, manipulation, or self-defense) that you are tempted to trust in? What would it look like to lay those down and trust God’s way instead? ([34:54])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the courage to turn to God first in trouble, for the humility to repent where needed, and for the faith to trust in God’s justice and mercy for both themselves and others.

Devotional

Day 1: Turning to God in Times of Trouble
When faced with injustice or the attacks of others, our first and most vital response is to turn to God in prayer, seeking His protection and help rather than relying on our own strength or the strategies of the world. David models this in Psalm 64, beginning not with self-defense or retaliation, but with a heartfelt plea to the Lord, trusting that God alone is the highest and most just authority. In your own struggles, remember that God hears your voice and invites you to bring your complaints and fears to Him, trusting that He cares for you and is actively working for your good. [20:13]

Psalm 64:1-2 (ESV)
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers.

Reflection: When you feel wronged or attacked, what is your first instinct—to defend yourself, seek others’ approval, or to turn to God in prayer? What would it look like for you to bring your complaint to God first today?


Day 2: The Consequences of Sin and the Justice of God
Sin carries real consequences, both in the natural outworking of our actions and in the justice that God brings. Those who trust in lies, violence, or the approval of others will ultimately be undone by the very things they depend on, while God’s justice will prevail in His timing. This truth is both a warning and a comfort: God will not allow evil to go unaddressed, and the patterns He has set in creation ensure that sin leads to ruin, but righteousness leads to life. [26:09]

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are sowing to the flesh—trusting in your own ways or responding to hurt with sin? What is one step you can take today to sow to the Spirit instead?


Day 3: The Comfort and Terror of God’s Justice
God’s justice is both a terror to those who persist in sin and a comfort to those who trust in Him. For the unrepentant, the coming of God’s justice means exposure and ruin; for the righteous, it means healing, restoration, and the making right of all things. As you wait for God’s justice, take heart that He is both loving and powerful, and that His justice will ultimately bring peace and wholeness to all who trust in Him. [39:46]

Isaiah 35:3-6 (ESV)
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you long for God’s justice and healing? How can you find comfort in His promise to make all things new, even as you wait?


Day 4: Recognizing Our Own Sin and Need for Grace
There are times when we are not only the victims of others’ sin, but also the perpetrators—those whose words or actions have brought harm and brokenness. In these moments, we must honestly face our own hearts, confess our sin, and cry out to God for mercy, trusting that He alone can save us from ourselves. God’s grace is available to all who turn to Him, no matter how deep the failure or how great the ruin we have caused. [41:53]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Reflection: Ask God to reveal any area where you have been the source of harm or sin. What is one step of confession or restitution you can take today to begin making things right?


Day 5: Rejoicing in the Forgiveness and Refuge Found in Christ
Through Jesus Christ, we have redemption and forgiveness for all our sins, and we are invited to rejoice and take refuge in Him. No matter what we have done or what has been done to us, the blood of Jesus washes us clean and makes us righteous before God. Because of Christ’s finished work, we can claim the promises of joy, protection, and refuge, and live each day in the freedom and peace He provides. [45:09]

Ephesians 1:7-10 (ESV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Reflection: How does knowing you are forgiven and made righteous in Christ change the way you approach God and others today? What is one way you can rejoice and take refuge in Him right now?

Quotes

God has designed this world to work according to certain patterns and principles. And one of those principles is that sin has consequences. And those who choose to walk in sin, to depend upon sin, to trust in sin, will find themselves ruined by the very sin that they trusted in. [00:26:31] (20 seconds)  #SinBringsConsequences Edit Clip

So don't fear those who do evil. Don't put your trust in the violence that they do, but fear God. Trust in him. Depend on him and not in the twisted, sinful mechanisms of this world. And celebrate this, right? Exult in him. This is a big word. Celebrate. Rejoice. Lift up. Exult. Take heart. Because it can be difficult to continue to trust in God when under assault from those who do not. It can be difficult to continue to trust in God in the face of those who think nothing of endlessly lying, of deceiving, of trapping, of abusing. But remember that God shoots his arrow at them. Remember that they are brought to ruin with their own tongues turned against them. And when the world sees this, they recognize the justice of God. They recognize the power of God. They recognize the goodness of God at work. [00:29:48] (76 seconds)  #TrustGodNotEvil Edit Clip

The justice of God will be victorious. He will not allow these wrongs to remain unaddressed forever. But he is patient. He is kind. And he is calling us to repent of our sin and to place our trust in him. And that is why justice is delayed. That is why we still wait for this justice. Because he does not want any one of us to perish. But he wants all of us to come to eternal life. To come to that place of repentance. [00:31:05] (37 seconds)  #CelebrateFaith Edit Clip

So when we are in trouble, particularly when that trouble is other people's sin against us, the solution doesn't lie in matching the tactics and the strategy of this world. We don't fight fire with fire. We don't turn and use the sword to fight the sword. But the solution is to actively exercise faith in God, to turn to him, to trust that no matter what is happening. No matter how abused we are, how trampled upon, how broken we are as a result, that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and is actively caring for us. And he is the salvation to the abuse of the wicked. [00:34:04] (57 seconds)  #TurnToGodFirst Edit Clip

But if instead what we sow is a deep and abiding faith in the Lord our God, then what will we reap? We will reap relationship and community and wholeness and the life that comes from him. And that is what he brings. He brings life. He brings wholeness to every part of our lives. And when God brings that wholeness into this world, it is justice. It's justice. It's right. It's what's good and true. But God's justice is simultaneously terror and comfort. God bringing his justice is simultaneously terrible and wonderful. [00:37:32] (65 seconds)  #JusticeIsTerrorAndComfort Edit Clip

But the idea that justice would come, that full demonstration of God's love and his power, that's a terror to the sinner. That's miserable news because they have denied God's love and his power as the very foundation of their lives. And so this idea of God's justice coming into the world is a terror to those who have sinned against him. But for those who have trusted in God, who have placed their faith in him, who have turned to him instead of to sin, then the idea of his justice arriving should be a source of comfort and of peace. He is coming again to make all things new. To dry every tear. To bind up every wound. To heal the things that the sin of this world has broken. [00:38:57] (65 seconds)  #JusticeBringsHope Edit Clip

So what do we do when we are the ones that David is saying, protect me from? What do we do when we are the ones who have brought about our own ruin? And the answer is that we must do the same as those who are being persecuted by others. We must turn and cry out to the Lord our God for salvation. God, save me from the sinners, not who are out there. God, save me from the sinner who looks at me in the mirror every morning. Because all of those sinners out there, they can do temporary damage to us. They can harm us. But they cannot ever separate us from the love of God. But if we will not deal with the sin that lies within our own hearts, then we will not expect mercy. God, save me from the sinner who looks at me in the mirror. [00:41:53] (65 seconds)  #ForgivenThroughChrist Edit Clip

We can cry out to the Lord our God to save us because we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. All of that sin and all of that failure that we have brought ruin and destruction on the people around us and ruin and destruction in our own lives. All of those reasons that we have to fear the justice of God coming into this world are gone. They are erased. In Colossians, it says that they are nailed to the cross, paid in full. [00:43:51] (35 seconds)  #RejoiceInRighteousness Edit Clip

And so we can go before our Heavenly Father knowing that we are the righteous ones who can rejoice in the Lord. Not because of what we've done, but because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. We have forgiveness from God, purchased for us by Jesus on the cross. And that forgiveness washes us clean of the stain of all sin. [00:44:27] (30 seconds)  #RefugeInGod Edit Clip

And if we are washed clean, then these promises that David claims for himself as the righteous, we can claim those as well. Let the righteous one rejoice. And that righteous one is every single person who has placed their faith in Jesus. Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. Let the upright in heart exult. Friends, these are promises that are open to all who will leave behind their sin, their sharp tongues, and their bitter arrows. All who will leave those behind and place their faith in Jesus and in Him alone. [00:44:57] (51 seconds) Edit Clip

``He will hear our voices. He will hear our complaints. He will preserve our voice. our lives from the dread of the enemy. He will hide us from the secret plots of the wicked, and we will rejoice and take refuge in him forever. [00:45:49] (18 seconds) Edit Clip