“The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming.” Psalm 37:12,13
There has long been a great conflict in the world. Satan stirs up his own against those who belong to God. Fallen mankind despises God and His ways, and therefore despises those who embrace God. So, they plot against God’s people, in hopes to silence or destroy them. Sadly, they sometimes have temporary success in hindering the gospel’s advance or even in putting believers to death.
This psalm was written to give believers a healthy dose of perspective. It is easy to become sinfully angry at what the wicked do (v.8). It is easy to lose heart and grow discouraged when it seems that evil is triumping. But, the psalmist assures the people of God, “You are not losing. No, in fact, God is laughing at the futile attempts to defeat His kingdom.” God places such value upon His beloved people that He will see to it that, in the end, they will triumph through Christ.
God promises in this psalm that the meek will inherit the earth (v.11), that the inheritance of the righteous shall be forever (v.18), that God upholds His people (v.17,24), that He will not forsake His saints (v.28), and other precious promises. Furthermore, He guarantees the absolute defeat of those who forever reject God. They will be cut off (v.9), they will perish (v.20), will be destroyed (v.38), and again, God’s laughts at them!
Knowing all this should lead us to trust in the Lord, and do good, (v.3), delight ourselves in Him (v.4), commit our way to Him (v.5), and rest in Him (v.7). That is indeed living life with a healthy perspective!