A Scriptural Response to the Events of the Day

A SCRIPTURAL RESPONSE TO THE EVENTS OF THE DAY

I. The Events of the Day
    A drift into more socialism where the state takes the place of God. Compare with Acts 2. This involves greed, power structures, and self-glorification which is actually a sin problem, not a problem with the free market philosophy.     Successful criminal and immoral activity that seems to go unpunished unless you are with the wrong crowd. Who said, “Power brings corruption, and absolute power brings absolute corruption”?
    Unsolved crimes, and increased violent crime and sexual immorality
    Law enforcement officers on the take
    Unchecked advances of abortion – we are far down this road
    Unchecked advances of homosexuality – we are far down this road too
    Airwaves filled with filth and filthy language in the name of free speech
    Lack of victory in Christian lives with apathy toward it
    The presence of multitudes of false teachers or false practitioners who succeed (more people follow them) with their false teachings…with great departures from the scriptures. “Success” is measured by numbers, gain of wealth, and prestige.
    The absence of the Holy Spirit in that which is called Christianity, with human effort replacing the work of the Holy Spirit
    Multiple others, including corruption in “high places” and lack of respect for law, lack of accountability, lack of respect for elders by young, attire of little girls, government interference in all family aspects, government waste is notorious.

II. The Lord Makes His Reply To His People in Psalm 37
    The Lord acknowledges the presence of evil
    The Lord allows the presence of evil to test the hearts of His people as well as prove the hearts of unbelief: Deut. 13:1-4
    First counsel of the Lord: “Do not FRET because of evildoers…”
       “Fret” means to become enraged, blaze up, burn (get warm), incensed
       Therefore the Lord’s counsel is to not become enraged as this type of emotion often leads to vindictive or even violent actions. Self-righteousness boils over into the gnashing of teeth that leads to deadly actions; consider Acts 7:54 ff. “Revenge is MINE, I will repay”, saith the Lord.
    Second counsel: “Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.”
       The apparent unchecked success of the workers of iniquity leads us to desire the same kind of success but for righteous causes instead of their wicked one. We see their success as swaying public opinion away from true values and into the deceptive web they have laid out that snares not only the victim but they themselves.
        Desiring the same success we may be tempted to violate biblical principles and truth for the oppressive principles and captivity from which we were led by the Spirit of God when we were saved! See 2 Peter 1:4; 2:12. The result of salvation is to learn and know that there is NO right way to do the wrong thing . 2 Peter 2:19 ‘While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage’.
    The destiny of the evildoers and the workers of iniquity: Psalm 37:2; 37:9 See also vv 10,12-17;20-21. Be warned! They shall be cut off by the Lord Himself.
    The Lord’s Counsel of Action to the upright:
        Trust in the Lord and do good
        Live wisely on the land and be fed by His faithfulness
        Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart
        Commit your way to the Lord, fully trusting Him, and He will bring it to pass
    Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him
        Cease from anger, forsake wrath, especially do not fret (Be angry and sin not).
        The destiny of the meek and trusting ones: They shall inherit the earth; They shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.