The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (vv 10-11)
While evil rampages throughout the earth, rest assured that God is very much in control. In fact, the psalmist declares that the Lord will thwart the heathen's plans. We can sometimes feel despondent as we see the world 'going to the dogs', but here is a reminder that God knows what He is doing, and, although the earth is in the hands of men, nothing happens that He does not allow. That thought may prove difficult for us to accept at times, but God, from His vantage point in heaven, sees man's every orchestration (vv 13-15), and this psalm assures us of His intervention where it is necessary to accomplish His will.
There are several examples in the bible where the Lord steps in to influence men's hearts into co-operating with His purpose. In Proverbs 21:1, we read:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
When Pharaoh thought he could withstand God, his country ended up paying dearly for his stubbornness (note God's involvement in hardening Pharaoh's heart); Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to exalt himself above God cost him his sanity; and the devil's plot, through Pilate, Herod and the Jewish leaders, to kill the Lord Jesus Christ resulted in our eternal salvation!
Nothing is hidden from God's sight, so do not despair when you see the wicked prosper, or in the psalmist's words:
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. ...Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 37: 1, 7-9)
Sometimes we long for the destruction of the wicked, and wonder, like Habakkuk, why God doesn't put an end to evil. But the Bible tells us that the Lord is slow to anger and of great mercy, (Joel 2:13) and His faithful nature, upon which we rely for our very existence, extends to the world around us. Peter puts it this way:
The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 Amp)
Salvation is the ultimate plan of God for all He has made. While He is able to destroy the wicked in one day (remember Sodom and Gomorrah?), His desire is that every man be saved. And it is this counsel that will stand forever.
While evil rampages throughout the earth, rest assured that God is very much in control. In fact, the psalmist declares that the Lord will thwart the heathen's plans. We can sometimes feel despondent as we see the world 'going to the dogs', but here is a reminder that God knows what He is doing, and, although the earth is in the hands of men, nothing happens that He does not allow. That thought may prove difficult for us to accept at times, but God, from His vantage point in heaven, sees man's every orchestration (vv 13-15), and this psalm assures us of His intervention where it is necessary to accomplish His will.
There are several examples in the bible where the Lord steps in to influence men's hearts into co-operating with His purpose. In Proverbs 21:1, we read:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
When Pharaoh thought he could withstand God, his country ended up paying dearly for his stubbornness (note God's involvement in hardening Pharaoh's heart); Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to exalt himself above God cost him his sanity; and the devil's plot, through Pilate, Herod and the Jewish leaders, to kill the Lord Jesus Christ resulted in our eternal salvation!
Nothing is hidden from God's sight, so do not despair when you see the wicked prosper, or in the psalmist's words:
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. ...Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 37: 1, 7-9)
Sometimes we long for the destruction of the wicked, and wonder, like Habakkuk, why God doesn't put an end to evil. But the Bible tells us that the Lord is slow to anger and of great mercy, (Joel 2:13) and His faithful nature, upon which we rely for our very existence, extends to the world around us. Peter puts it this way:
The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 Amp)
Salvation is the ultimate plan of God for all He has made. While He is able to destroy the wicked in one day (remember Sodom and Gomorrah?), His desire is that every man be saved. And it is this counsel that will stand forever.
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.
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