In 7 short verses, David looked at life from a perspective of faith. In verse 3, he said “the foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” (NLT)
What can the righteous do? That problem worries a lot of people. We used to be told to call the police because they are here to protect us. But that statement has never been true. Law enforcement is here to investigate crimes that have already happened.
So, what can the righteous do? First, we must remember that it is not our righteousness but the righteousness of Christ that has been accounted to us by our faith in His death and resurrection for us.
Second, we must remember that God is in control. David reminds us in verses 4-7 that “the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth”.
Third, the church triumphant (all believers) must pray for a great awakening among unbelievers for salvation and a revival of believers that we may again rejoice in God’s salvation. In their book, From Sea to Shining Sea by Peter Marshall and David Manuel recount how the Methodist preachers in the first half of the 19th century urged people to pray for the end of slavery. Unfortunately, it took a civil war to reach the goal. There may be a long period of waiting before a future generation sees the results; but for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, our effort will be worthwhile. Read Isaiah 2:1-5 to see how God wants great things for the people of earth. This is what the angels declared on the night Jesus was born: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased”. Luke 2:14 (NLT).