ICS Daily Devotions
Evildoers Eat Their Own Bitter Fruit
Psalm 37:1, 14-15 (NKJV) “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity….The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
King David wrote Psalm 37 during the latter part of his life, after he had gone through numerous challenges. There are many life lessons that we can learn from him and apply to our lives today. For instance, he was particularly good at dealing with difficult people. He never fretted over the evil that was done to him; he did not dwell on it by asking why God had allowed it to happen, nor did he allow these experiences to consume or define him. Instead, he advised us not to be angry, frustrated, irritated or worried over why evildoers seem to prosper.
At one time or another, we may encounter those who choose to plot evil against us, but the Lord wants us to leave these people alone. If their intent was motivated by the devil or the sinful nature, they will eventually reap what they have sown in their lives. If we allow time and events to play out, we will witness how the evildoers’ own “sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken”. Rather than fretting, we can focus on maintaining our joy and peace in the Lord.
1 Samuel 31:4 (NKJV) Then Saul said to his armorbearer, ‘Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.’ But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.
King David did not fret over King Saul’s actions or sought to exact vengeance. Instead, he left it in the hands of God. Driven by his own weaknesses and insecurity, King Saul had tried to hunt down and kill David for years. Yet on the occasions when he could have killed Saul and paid him back for his violence and unfair treatment towards him, David still chose not to lift even a finger against King Saul because he was God’s anointed. As it turned out, King Saul died a very tragic death when he lost the battle to the Philistines after he had strayed away following God. He died by his own sword and committed suicide before his enemies could kill him.
David was definitely a trailblazer in the area of dealing with people who committed evil against him, whether in words or action. He was gracious and forgiving, and he managed to move on to pursue the calling of God upon his life. In spite of one or two events in his life when he stumbled, as recorded in the Bible, he finished his race well and was called a man after God’s own heart.
Sermon Series: Trailblazer
