We shall overcome

— Jacob Sinnathamby


The Malaysian Insider
Jul 07, 2012

JULY 7 — How often have you heard this statement? Those who do evil and wicked things in Malaysia seem to prosper but the good-intentioned are jailed, demonised and subject to continuous harassment by the mainstream media and authorities.

Or this line? It is so unfair that the crooked politicians can get away with anything.

These statements are often then followed with a burst of anger and frustration, and a despairing rant about how little we can do to bring the wicked to justice and bring about change in Malaysia.

But there is no reason to despair. I am a Catholic and I also sometimes find myself wallowing in the cycle of “nothing can be done”.

But every time I read Psalm 37 I am brought back to the realisation that the corrupt, wicked, evil will face their day of reckoning.

I put down a few verses which points out that God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth.

“Do not be provoked by evildoers;

Do not envy those who do wrong.

Like grass they wither quickly

Like green plants they wilt away.

“Be still before the Lord;

Wait for God.

Do not be provoked by the prosperous nor by malicious schemers.”

“The wicked plot against the just;

And grind their teeth at them

But the Lord laughs at them

Knowing their day is coming.

“Those whose steps are guided by the Lord;

Whose way God approves,

May stumble, but will never fall,

For the Lord holds their hand.”

I am sharing some of these verses because there is a danger that sometimes we get too despondent surveying the political landscape and the wanton actions of those in power. We seem helpless to act against the power of incumbency and the use of the institutions of the state.

In those times, we must remember to trust in God’s promise: “I have seen ruthless scoundrels, strong as flourishing cedars. When I passed by again, they were gone.”