Historical Posts

The Bad Guys Won’t Win This One – Psalm 11:4-7 – audio

Text: Psalm 11:4-7

I shouldn’t, but sometimes I look at the world and get a little discouraged.

I see inexplicable violence, blatant perversion, and rampant materialism, and I worry about the future.

Can you relate?

I know they’re not, but sometimes it looks like the bad guys are winning.

I was somewhat surprised recently when I started working my way through the Psalms. I soon realized that I’m certainly not the first one who’s had these thoughts.

They’re all over the Psalms.

Why are you letting them win, God?

What are we supposed to do?

Where are you? Why aren’t you doing something?

Here’s a sample:

In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? – Psalm 11:1-3

Did you notice the uncertainty, the frustration bordering on despair?

What can the righteous do?

Maybe you’ve felt like that before. You see signs of depravity in the world, then you look at the church and see too much of the world in us.

Why are you letting them win, God?

He’s not! Even though it may look that way sometimes.

Here’s the rest of the Psalm:

The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. – Psalm 11:4-7

Where are you, God?

“I’m on my throne in my temple.”

What are you doing, Lord?

“I’m watching, I’m concerned, I’m acting.”

Are they going to win?

“Absolutely not.”

That’s a good reminder for us all.

The Lord’s throne is in heaven, David says. And our King is fully concerned about and engaged in everything that’s bothering us. He may not act today, or at least not in the way we think he should. But he’s busy, and he always does the right thing at the right time.