David in this psalm teaches us to live in light of the future. He does not mean the immediate future but the long-term future. Several times, he reminds his readers that the righteous will inherit the land, whereas the wicked will lose everything, even if they had plenty in this life.
The reality of what is ahead should cause us to live in certain ways in the present, particularly regarding our relationship with God. In verses 3-7, David tells us to trust in the Lord, to delight in the Lord, to commit our way to the Lord, to be still before the Lord, and to do so because he is the God who eventually blesses his people.
The reality of their future should cause them not to get over annoyed with the prosperity of the wicked and the sinful in this life. We are conscious how unjust and self-centred people seem to get on well, but David reminds us that those gains are short-lived in comparison to the eternal inheritance. The Day of Judgement is coming when the Lord will deal with such; and sometimes he intervenes long before then and works in providence to bring them down (vv. 8-15).
The reality of this should cause the righteous to have a true perspective on life. They understand that the Lord knows where they are every day and is able to meet their needs in difficult times, even when famine comes (vv. 16-20). Their endless inheritance is secure in his protection, even as Peter was to remind his readers who were suffering for the faith. They had an inheritance that was incorruptible and undefiled, and reserved in heaven for them.
Because that is the case, God’s people can be kind and generous to those in need. They know that even when they fail, their gracious God will restore them. Despite their lack of resources, they know that God will provide for them and their families. Sharing what they have almost guarantees continuation of supply, and their children follow their example (vv. 21-26).
The incentives to live a righteous life are great. Because their God is faithful, they have a wonderful future. Even in this life, they usually enjoy divine protection and they are able to speak truth because God’s law is dominant in their hearts. They walk on a righteous path to the end and then they receive the inheritance. It is and will be very different for the wicked. There is no peace from God for them, but there is peace ahead for his people (vv. 27-40).
Life in the present reveals many things. Among them, it reveals what we think about the future.
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