Wickedness Will Win For A While!

May 19, 2026

Scripture

“I have seen the wicked oppressing and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.  Again I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found.”  Psalm 37:35-36

Wickedness Will Win For A While!

I don’t want to sound like one of those old guys who are always telling people how bad things are in the world today.  You know the type; they tend to exaggerate the goodness and glory of the old days and lament the deterioration of morals today.

The truth is the power of darkness has always had a stronghold on our world.  For sure, Satan does not win every battle or destroy every person.  However, Satan is and has always been busy in his work of the deception and destruction of nations and cities as well as families and individuals.

The presence of racism and violence and oppression and abuse are strong indicators that the wickedness and evil which Satan promotes has always been wrecking lives.  The presence of too little peace and joy and love and faith are evidence that the wickedness and evil which Satan promotes is still wrecking lives.

In Psalm 37, David shares the lessons he has learned in his life with those who are younger than he.  In this song, he mentions several times the temporary influence and presence of people who are wicked. 

Again in verses 35-36, David makes a statement about people who are wicked.  David writes; “I have seen the wicked oppressing and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.  Again I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found.”

The first thing David reminds us is that people who are wicked often engage in “oppressing” other people.  The oppression is often systematic rather than random and intentional rather than accidental.  Oddly, the perpetrator and the victim will both often excuse or rationalize the oppression even though it is deliberate.   

The wicked crush the spirit of people to the point their victims feel powerless to do anything about the exploitation and violence they are experiencing.  In the end, the oppression which the wicked use is designed to control and diminish other people.

The second thing David reminds us is that people who are wicked often engage in “towering” over other people.  There is a kind of authoritarian coercion they use to control or diminish the value of other people.  Their goal is to marginalize or exclude or destroy people they perceive are in their way. 

They will work hard to subdue or defeat or suppress other people for their own gain.  They often put themselves in a position of authority or power or favor over those they desire to subdue.  They will press down and crush people to the point those people live in fear.  They will use control and intimidation to breed hopelessness and helplessness as well as discouragement and despair.

David says people who are wicked will tower over other people “like a cedar of Lebanon.”  The cedar trees in Lebanon were 120-130 feet tall (the height of a 12 story building).  Their trunks were very large with branches spreading to the sides in such a way that the tree developed a wide, flat top as it matured.  The wood of the cedars of Lebanon was almost indestructible. 

The wicked people will spread their oppression and control and power over other people like the strong and broad branches of a cedar tree in Lebanon.  It will feel like there was no way to escape the oppression hovering over the top of them.  The oppression feels indestructible like the wood of a cedar tree in Lebanon.     

Oppression and all its abuses of power can be experienced in a relationship with one other person as well as in a family, a work environment, a team, a church, a culture, a city, a volunteer organization, a nation, etc. 

Oppression and all its abuses of power can be experienced in an economic system, a political system, an educational system, a religious system, etc. 

Oppression and all its abuses of power can be experienced when there is abuse, neglect, apathy, denial, complacency, fear, deep sadness, etc.

Oppression and all its abuses of power is something we can experience as both the perpetrator and the victim.  The power of darkness uses oppression and abuses of power to deceive and destroy people, especially people who love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, and mind.

There is good news for those who are experiencing oppression and the abuse of power by people who are wicked.  In Psalm 37:36 David writes; “Again I passed by, and they (the wicked people!) were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found.”   

Wicked people who are perpetrators of oppression and who abuse power in their relationships with other people will not last forever.  David tells us there will come a time when no matter how hard we seek to find them, people who are wicked will not be found.  They will be no more!

This promise may not always instill much hope when we are in the midst of a long season of oppression or abuse.  It often feels like the pain will never stop.  Sometimes it feels like the pain is only getting worse.  We can feel so beat up and so beat down, that the hope of freedom from the oppression is less than the fear of more abuse and pain.

David tells us the pain will come to an end.  He is confident the Lord God is a loving and good and just god.  He knows Satan does not win in the cosmic battle of good and evil.  He trusts the power of darkness does not overcome the light of Jesus’ love in our lives now.  He is certain the people who are wicked and are oppressing and abusing power in your life will not last forever.

In John 8:12 Jesus says; “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness.  When we place our hope and our trust and our love in Jesus, we will find the strength and the help and the courage we need to respond to the oppression and abuse of power being perpetrated by the wicked people in our life.

Reflect

Where have you come under the influence of the power of darkness in such a way that you have oppressed (or are oppressing!) another person?  Is the light of Jesus burning bright or slowly fading in your heart, mind, and soul?  What are some ways in which you can put away the oppression you are doing or the oppression you are receiving?  

Pray

Lord God, I am in a season in which I am experiencing oppression or the abuse of power from another person.  I am afraid.  I feel alone and powerless.  My hope is growing small.  I don’t know if you can help things be better.  This person has so much authority and power over me.  I am so discouraged.  I can only keep going on if you, Lord God, give me the strength and courage today.  I ask for you to grow my strength, grow my courage, and grow my faith in you.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.    

Act

Write down one act of oppression or abuse of power you have done in the last several days that caused another person to be less than God created them to be.  Is there anything you can do to bring healing or help to that relationship?  Invite a friend who is being oppressed to lunch and offer them a word of encouragement.