“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6). A word from one who has trouble practicing these Scriptures: Be thankful they are there.
Awareness of evil in the world generally increases with age. Some precious children are exposed to humanity’s injustices earlier than are some pampered adults. Still, the more one knows about the world, the more one knows people mistreat people, the relatively innocent suffer at the hands of the oppressors (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:1), and the privileged and powerful exalt themselves at the expense of the lowly (cf. Matthew 23:14; 2 Timothy 3:6; James 5:5-6). This wicked phenomenon even happens within the Lord’s church (3 John 9-10). It is enough to depress one’s spirit beyond recovery, were it not for the Word of God.
The multiple exhortations of divinely offered comfort include: “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity” (Psalm 37:1). “And why not?” the persecuted might object. “The evil seem to be getting their way! Their riches increase! People believe their slanderous lies!” (cf. Job 21:7-16; 12:6; Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 109:1-5). Why not fret? Because the God who had the power to create and uphold the world with His Word (Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 1:3) is the One Who has the power to deal – and here’s the key – in His own good time with the wicked. “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:2). Rejoice, O soul, for the judgment of the Lord is nearer than one might think (James 1:9-11; 5:1-8).
That powerful and living (Hebrews 4:12), creative and judging (Hebrews 11:3; John 12:48) Word of God is also renewing (1 Peter 1:22-25) and sustaining (Psalm 119:49-50) to the downcast human spirit. Here is a reminder from an inspired man who knew suffering, and eventual exoneration: “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. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:3-6).
