Psalms 37:7-11 -- On Anger and Peace

"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.
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Psalms 37:7-11


It's hard sometimes to believe that God's way is the right way, because we see unfairness and inequality around us, and we know it isn't right. We see people profiting from other people's pain and desperation, and we see injustice that God allows to happen.

God reminds us here (and elsewhere) that the imbalance and evil in the world are temporary things, and that justice will catch up with everyone.  This is our small space in which we can repent and change, before it catches up with us... and everyone else has that same chance.

If we're meek and understand God's plan, then we can have faith and "fret not" and let go of our concern about temporary injustice, knowing that God will make everything right in the end.  ... Not to say that we shouldn't try to solve problems of injustice in the world, of course, because we should always be anxiously engaged in God's work and making the world a better place, and a place where *everyone* has a chance at life and peace.  God is just saying that we don't have to hold anger and resentment about how evildoers have better lives than we do, since it will truly all work out in the end.

Today, let's rest in the Lord and forsake our wrath.  Instead of blaming God or others for the injustices that we see, let's do what we can about it, helping rather than harming, and what we can't solve, let's trust God to make right--as he assures us that he will.  In the meantime, let's also repent of our own portion of evil, thankful for the space and mercy God has granted us to cleanse ourselves before his judgement and our eventual abundance of peace. :)