THE HERITAGE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND

THE CALAMITY OF THE WICKED

A study on how attitude can make the vital difference in time.

Psalm 37 DNCF Sunday 24th June, 2012

A Replay of Life

Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Today’s attitude determines tomorrow’s outcome

Attitude leads to choices Choices lead to heritage Heritage means what we get as life’s

outcome and also leave behind for future generations

In a bad situation what is our Attitude???? Do we choose to fret, get angry, envy, be

bitter??? Do we choose to trust, delight, commit,

rest and wait??

Attitude1: Anger and envy

Psalms 37:1 Do not be angry because of the wrongdoers, or have envy of the workers of evil.

2  For they will quickly be cut down like grass, and become dry like the green plants.

8  Put an end to your wrath and be no longer bitter; do not give way to angry feeling which is a cause of sin.

Attitude 2: Trust, Delight, Commit , Rest, Wait

Psalm 37: 3  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7  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.

Did we catch the analogy?

Anger, envy, bitterness, sin = cut down like the grass, wither as a green herb

Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Wait = bring forth righteousness as the dawn and justice as a noonday

The essence here is time: while anger will give only momentary results and finally leads to

destruction, the outcome of trust and commitment will be revealed in time for all to

see!

Lets look at it again….

Psalms 37:10  For in a short time the evil-doer will be gone: you will go searching for his place, and it will not be there.20 But the wicked will perish;… like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they will vanish away

11  But the gentle will have the earth for their heritage; they will take their delight in peace without measure.18  The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their heritage shall be for ever.

The good man also falls…but…..

Psalms 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he takes delight in his way.

24  Even if he has a fall he will not be utterly cast down: for the hand of the Lord upholds him.

How can one get down once fallen?

Psalms 37:27  Be turned from evil, and do good; and your place will be for ever.

28  For the Lord is a loves justice, and does not forsake his saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the evil-doers will be cut off.

In other words: There needs to be a change in attitudes, in choices, in

way of life God is a righteous JUDGE If one does not change his attitude, choices and practices,

God’s judgment will be against him If one changes his attitude, choices and practices his place

in God’s righteousness will be his forever

Lets look at it again in pictures1. The Waiter

Psalms 37:34  Wait on the Lord, and keep his way; and you will be lifted up, and have the land for your heritage: when the evil-doers are cut off, you will see it.

2. The fallen tree

Psalms 37:35  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading like a green tree in its native soil:36  but he passed away, and behold, he was not; and I sought him, but he was not found.

In summary

Psalms 37:37  Give attention to the good man, and take note of the upright; because the end of that man is peace.38  But as for the sinners, they will be cut off together; the end of the wrongdoers is destruction.39  But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble.40  And the Lord will be their help, and keep them safe: he will take them out of the hands of the evil-doers, and be their saviour, because they had faith in him.

The last hooks:What kind of attitude are we going

to foster?What END is it going to bring us?

Thanks! The end!