It might take a lifetime, but justice will be done

This will be the last Reflection for the month of June. I will be away for a while. Reflections will resume on Tuesday, July 5.

Psalm 37, final reflection

The rest of the psalm is a reflection on good and evil, reassuring God’s children that evil will not triumph. The terms of this reflection are set in the first two verses:

Do not fret because of the wicked;

do not envy those who do evil:

for they wither quickly like grass

and fade like the green of the fields. (vv. 1-2)

Sometimes we have to wait quite a bit before things are set right. Sometimes it takes more than a lifetime. Consider that the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years before their cry for redemption was heard. So what is called for is patience rooted in faith in the long term.

Here are a couple of verses which speak to our main theme, which is “how God cares for us.”

He protects the lives of the upright,

their heritage will last for ever. (v. 18)

The Lord guides the steps of a man

and makes safe the path of one he loves.

Though he stumble he shall never fall

for the Lord holds him by the hand. (vv. 23-24)

Then turn away from evil and do good

and you shall have a home for ever;

for the Lord loves justice

and will never forsake his friends. (vv. 27-28)

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord,

their stronghold in time of distress.

The Lord helps them and delivers them

and saves them: for their refuge is in him. (vv. 39-40)

In closing, I would just like to point out that some of these promises might only be realized on the other side of the grave. Jesus was tortured and died before his vindication came forth. But my experience has been that these promises come true in my lifetime. I pray the same is for you.

God bless you.