Day 15: The End of the Wicked | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37 - February 18

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Day 15 — The End of the Wicked

Psalm 37:20, But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

Key Thought: Wickedness has an expiration date

Prayer: Fix my heart on eternal things while I address conditions in the present time

Psalm 37:20 teaches that evil is not permanent. Its seeming beauty and power are temporary because its end is disappearance. Verse 20 magnifies themes already introduced in verses 2, 9, 10, and 13. Evil has an expiration date.

“But the wicked shall perish”
As stated in previous verses, the Hebrew word for perish means lost, ruined, or brought to nothing. It does not always mean immediate physical death. It indicates loss of standing, loss of influence, and removal from covenant blessing.

“The enemies of the Lord”
This verse shifts from “the wicked” to describe those who are actively opposed to God’s purposes. Being an “enemy of the Lord” is not merely personal immorality; it includes opposition to righteousness, justice, and harm toward people.

The psalm reassures those of us who serve God that our conflict is not merely with people, but with forces that resist God’s way. As Paul wrote, we don’t “wrestle” (or fret with) “flesh and blood” (people). We contend with spiritual forces that manifest through people.

“Like the splendor of the meadows”
The psalmist uses this beautiful picture to describe the suddenness of the removal of the wicked. He makes reference to a lush pasture with green grass and fields in full bloom. But grass in the ancient Near East was seasonal. After rain, it flourished brilliantly, but under the heat of the sunlight, it withered quickly.

David’s point: Wickedness may look vibrant and powerful, but it is seasonal. Like “smoke,” the wicked and enemies of the Lord “shall vanish away.” He is not describing a gradual fade, but a disappearance that leaves no trace.

Again, we do not need to worry and fret about evildoers. We should stay focused on serving God, doing His will, and serving others. We will address systems that adversely affect people, but we won’t engage in warfare against people, rather against the spiritual forces that motivate them.

Reflection question: How do you keep your heart at peace in times like these?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

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