God Promises He Wins

Psalms 52:1, 4-5 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man?
Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?...4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue! 5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.
 
THIS psalm is David’s anger and condemnation of two mighty men – King Saul and Doeg, an Edomite. 1 Samuel 22 records the terrifying incident when Saul had accused Abiathar, a priest, of helping David escape. 1 Samuel 22:18-19 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. Jealousy and suspicion are very lethal in the hands of evil mighty men.
   God’s judgment is even more deadly to the arrogant sinner. Everlasting ruin is their destination. God will snatch you up. He will tear you from your tent. The LORD will uproot you from the land of the living. One cannot escape the LORD’s wrath.
   Those who consider themselves mighty men are really fugitives from God’s justice. There is no restful home, no joyful sanctuary where the guilty can go to know calm in their hearts. They follow Satan’s destructive character. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Such people will show might and strength for a time. Mayhem marks their lives as they always strive under vengeance and greed. They will intimidate and subject many to their violence. Surely God will bring them down to everlasting ruin.
   David continues in the psalm to affirm God is your all-sufficient sanctuary.  Verses 6-7 The righteous will see the arrogant sinner destroyed under God’s hand. They will laugh at him, saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”
   True, lasting might is rooted in God. V 8 like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. Olive trees are fruitful for generations. David wanted to be a faithful leader for many years deeply-rooted in God's unfailing love. God’s strength is your strength.
   With an enduring faith, we persevere against those the world considers to be mighty men. Their power is glamourous. Their control is envied. But their lives are destined for destruction.
   In contrast, the righteous have an eternal impact. True might is in faith’s deep and fruitful roots that strengthens God’s people now to stand firmly in God’s goodness. These faith roots then extend to future generations. From God’s people now and forever will come voices to V 9 praise God forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.