How To Handle Opposition
The Bible makes it quite clear that the saints live on enemy territory (Jn. 15:18-21; II Tim. 3:12). We can expect to be misunderstood, ridiculed, and persecuted for the cause of Christ. But Psalm 37 offers some instruction on what to do about it, and what not to do.
What Not to Do.
Don’t become annoyed, anxious, or envious of the seeming success of the wicked (Psalm 37:1,7,8). The prosperity of the wicked is short-lived (Psalm 27:2,9-10,12-15,20,35-36,38), and fretting only harms the one who frets (Psalm 37:8).
What to Do.
- Trust in the Lord–in His direction and the rightness of His commands–and keep on obeying Him and doing right (Psalm 37:3,27; cf. Psalm 37:21,25-26,30-31,32-33).
- Possess your possessions, depending on God’s faithfulness (Psalm 37:3,16).
- Delight yourself in God Himself, worshiping and praising Him (Psalm 37:4).
- Commit your future to the Lord and “rest,” waiting patiently for Him to act in His good time (Psalm 37:5,7,34). Ultimate justice and eternal blessing await (Psalm 37:4-6,9,11,17,19,22-24,28-29,34,37,39-40).
There is a pattern here. The repeated exhortation not to fret brackets a description of various aspects of faith, drawing our attention away from where it too often focuses to where it should focus.
- A. Do not fret (Psalm 37:1-2)
- Trust (Psalm 37:3)
- Delight (Psalm 37:4)
- Commit (Psalm 37:5-6)
- Rest (Psalm 37:7a)
- Do not fret (Psalm 37:7b-8)