How can we trust God to "grant the desires of the wicked" not? Setting the Scene • Psalm 140 is David’s cry for deliverance from violent men. • Verse 8 stands out as a direct petition: “Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not let their plans succeed, lest they be exalted.” • The plea rests on God’s unchanging character—He is righteous, just, and attentive to the cry of His people. Key Verse Explored • “Grant not…do not let their plans succeed.” David assumes God can and will intervene. • “Lest they be exalted.” Wicked success would mock God’s justice; David banks on the Lord’s zeal for His own glory (Isaiah 42:8). • The verse models active trust: ask boldly, expect confidently. Why We Can Trust God’s Justice 1. God’s Nature – Psalm 33:5: “The LORD loves righteousness and justice.” – He never compromises His holiness to accommodate evil. 2. God’s Track Record – Job 5:12: “He thwarts the schemes of the crafty.” – Pharaoh, Haman, and countless biblical villains prove the point. 3. God’s Promises – Proverbs 10:24: “What the wicked dread will overtake them.” – 2 Peter 2:9: “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly…and to keep the unrighteous under punishment.” 4. God’s Timing – Psalm 37:12-13: “The Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.” – Delay never equals indifference; it magnifies eventual justice. 5. God’s Final Word – Revelation 18 portrays ultimate reversal: wicked Babylon falls, heaven rejoices. – Every unrighteous desire meets either gracious conversion or righteous judgment—never unopposed fulfillment. Living Out This Confidence • Pray Scripture back to God as David did—specific, earnest, believing. • Refuse envy; focus on God’s purposes (Psalm 37:1-4). • Stand firm in righteousness; the Lord “stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (Proverbs 2:7). • Walk by faith, not sight: apparent triumphs of evil are temporary, God’s verdict is eternal. • Encourage one another with truth—“No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). Encouragement for Today The God who inspired Psalm 140:8 is the same God ruling now. He sees every scheme, measures every motive, and safeguards His people. Trust Him: He will not grant the desires of the wicked, and He will satisfy the righteous with His steadfast love. |
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