At all times it is important for the church of Jesus Christ to remember the promises He has made to her. This is true whether she is undergoing revival and numerical growth, seeing a godly influence in her land, or if she has seen better days, and wonders how much longer she can hold on to the Savior's hand. (Even that should elicit one of the promises of Christ from John 10:28, that, '...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.')
In Psalm 37, David begins with the gripping words, 'Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.' Then, in a stirring comparison, he contrasts the future of the wicked with the righteous. The righteous are those who 'trust in Him' (v.5) and no doubt, were in the Old Testament those who waited for the Lord to 'bring forth your righteousness as the light,' (v.6), a reference to the coming righteousness that only Christ Himself could bring. But there is more in store for those who are forgiven by God through Jesus and thus made righteous by faith and trust alone in Him. Even though we wage spiritual warfare in this life, and at times cry out with those saints in heaven, 'How long, O Lord?', if our understanding concerning the future of the righteous and the wicked aligns with God's word, we can persevere with joy until the end.
Just consider the fate of the wicked according to this Psalm:
They shall soon be cut down and wither (2); they shall be cut off (v.9); in a little while the wicked shall be no more, (10); the Lord laughs at them for He sees that his day is coming (13); their sword shall enter their own heart (v.15); their arms shall be broken (v.17); they shall perish (v.20); into the smoke they shall vanish away (v.20); they shall be cut off (v.22); even their descendants shall be cut off (v.28); even though they achieve great power, they shall pass away and be no more (v.36); they shall be destroyed together and cut off (v.38)
Now, listen to the promises for the righteous, those who belong to Jesus Christ:
They shall be given the desires of their heart (v.4); their salvation is sure (v.6); they shall inherit the earth (v.9,11,22); the Lord will uphold them (v.17); their inheritance shall be forever (v.18); they shall be satisfied (v.19); though they fall, they shall not be utterly cast down (v.24); they will dwell forevermore (v.27); they shall inherit the land and dwell in it forever (v.29); they will not be condemned at the day of judgement (v.33); they shall see the wicked cut off (v.34); their future is peace (v.37); the Lord is their strength (v.39) and their help (v.40); and He shall deliver them from the wicked (v.40).
The point is this. Though Christians have difficulties in this life, even trouble from the wicked, when Christians know for certain what awaits them based on God's promises, they will more willfully endure the trials in the present. Through the work of Christ, we have won, are winning, and will win. (Rom. 8:38; 8:28; Rev. 1:8) A basic understanding of biblical eschatology (study of the things to come, or end times) is a must. To put it in the words of James Henley Thornwell, “If the church could be aroused to a deeper sense of the glory that awaits her, she would enter with a warmer spirit into the struggles that are before her.' Our great Teacher Himself, we are told, 'for the joy set before Him, endured the cross.' (Heb. 12:2) Christian, what cross are you bearing at the moment? Do you fret because of the prosperity of the wicked? Do the things promised to you by God enable you to bear the present a little easier, or at least with joy, knowing what is in store for you?