Psalm 37:1, 14-15 (NKJV) Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity….The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
The definition of a trailblazer is someone who blazes a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness; a pathfinder or pioneer in any field of endeavour.
King David exemplified the qualities of a trailblazer when he came forward to take up the challenge against Goliath while the rest of the army of Israel hid in fear. What set David apart from the others was his personal experience with God, especially the knowledge of his covenantal rights. The army led by King Saul only surged forward towards the Philistines after David had killed Goliath. The fearlessness of David sparked off confidence and courage in the entire army to conquer and pursue their enemy¬—that’s the work and hallmark of a trailblazer. Similarly, our faith and confidence as we live our lives and conduct business according to God’s way will blaze a trail for many other Christian believers to follow.
The first quality of a trailblazer is not to fret over the workers of iniquity. None of us is completely sheltered from schemes of evildoers, who may plot against us in one form or another. However, through this passage, the Lord teaches us to be undeterred, to allow time and events to play out so that we will witness how “their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken”. If the intent of the wicked was motivated by the devil or their own sinful nature, they will reap what they have sown in their lives. We, on the other hand, are to take charge of our emotions and not fret or allow the devil to steal our joy and peace.
The original meaning of “fret” (Hebrew “charah”) in this passage is to burn, to be kindled with anger, to worry or to be provoked into rivalry, jealousy and anger. When we fret, there is a stirring of emotions—anger, frustration, and injustice—as though our blood is boiling in reaction to unpleasant comments or actions. When our flesh takes over to retaliate against the people whom we are fretting over, not only would our judgement be affected, but we can also become prone to make decisions which we may later regret. In fact, we can become so engrossed or consumed by the experience that it destroys our resilience, effectiveness, and even the desire to pursue our next breakthrough.
David is known as a man who was after God’s own heart. He personally encountered all kinds of evildoers in his life. Yet he advised us in his psalms not to be angry, frustrated, irritated or worried when evildoers prosper. Likewise, let us not allow our blood pressure to rise up within us when we encounter evildoers or wicked deeds, but let us stay cool like King David!
Sermon Series: Trailblazer
不要心怀不平，要保持冷静
诗篇37:1， 14-15 不要为作恶的心怀不平，也不要向那行不义的生出嫉妒。恶人已经弓上弦，刀出鞘，要打倒困苦穷乏的人，要杀害行动正直的人。他们的刀必刺入自己的心；他们的弓必被折断。
开路先锋是指在动荡的国家或荒野中为其他人开辟道路，引人跟随的开拓者；是指在任何领域开拓出一条新路的先驱者。
大卫王树立了开拓者的典范，当其他以色列的军兵因恐惧而躲藏时，他挺身而出接受歌利亚的挑战。使大卫脱颖而出的是他曾亲身经历过神，尤其是他对自己的盟约权利的了解。大卫杀死歌利亚后，扫罗王才带领着军队向非利士人挺进。大卫的无畏鼓舞了全军的信心与勇气，于是他们奋起征服并追杀他们的仇敌 –- 这正是开路先锋的作用和标志。同样，当我们按照神的方式生活和营商时，我们的信心和自信将开辟出一条新路，引领许多其他基督徒追随。
开路先锋的第一个品质是不要为那行不义的心怀不平。我们当中没有一个人能够完全屏蔽掉恶者的阴谋，他们可能花样百出地陷害我们。然而，通过这段经文，主教导我们不要气馁，只管静观其变，假以时日，我们终将见证何谓“他们的刀必刺入自己的心；他们的弓必被折断”。如果恶人的意图是由魔鬼或他们自己的罪恶本性所驱使，他们将收割自己在生命中所种出的恶果。而另一边的我们，则要控制自己的情绪，不要烦恼，也不要让魔鬼偷走我们的喜乐与平安。
在这段经文中“心怀不平”一词的原文（希伯来文”charah”）燃烧，被怒气所煽动，因忧虑或受到挑拨而心生敌意、妒忌及忿怒。当我们心怀不平，情绪会被搅动–愤怒、沮丧和忿忿不平-我们的血液仿佛因不愉快的评语或行动而沸腾。当我们的血气上涌开始报复那些让我们心怀不平的人时，不仅我们的判断力会受到影响，而且我们也会倾向于做出以后可能会让我们后悔的决定。事实上，我们可能全身心地耗在其中，以至于它破坏了我们的韧性、效率，甚至是追求下一个突破的愿望。
大卫被称为是一个合神心意的人。他一生中遇到过各种各样的作恶者。然而，他在他的诗篇中建议我们，当作恶者兴旺发达时，不要生气、沮丧、恼怒或担忧。同样，当我们遭遇作恶者或恶行时，不要让我们的血压升高，但让我们像大卫王一样保持冷静！
讲章系列：开路先锋