Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14 2nd Corinthians 9:1-15 Proverbs 22:24-25

“When the Wicked Succeed”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
[Psalm 37:7]

It is as if the Psalmist were saying: it will tend to vex you when you encounter misfortune in a righteous cause, while they get along very well in their wickedness and do not disappear, as you wish they would. You see the wicked man succeed so well in all his evil devices, that a proverb has been coined about it: “the greater the scoundrel, the greater the success.” But be wise dear child, and do not let that get you down. Cling to God, and your heart’s desire will come – in abundance – if it be His will. It is just not yet time. Meanwhile you must commit it to God, take your pleasure in Him, and find satisfaction in His will, so that you do not hinder His will in you. He uses a fine Hebrew word here: “be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” Just as an embryo in the mother’s womb lets God form it, so in this case you have been conceived in God, and He will form you in the correct shape if you will only be still.