The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 73:12,
"This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth."
Asaph makes an observation about wicked people- they prosper in wealth and health in this life! How concerning to those of the "Health and Wealth Gospel" crowd of today! Were we to judge someone's status with our Creator based on how successful they might be, we would find ourselves in contradiction to both the Scriptures and what can be observed in this life.
Look at what Asaph observes about the wicked:
"They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, 'How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?'
This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth." Verses 4-12.
Goodies in this life are short-termed. While many may enjoy the "good things" this life has to offer, this life is only a drop in a bucket compared to eternity! It is what is ours in eternity that is important. The wealth and health of sinful people in this life is an illusion that placates them as they slide right into God's judgment of a "fiery lake of burning sulfur", Revelation 21:8, for all eternity.
Unfortunately, many ill-informed Christians (of the Scriptures) shrug off what they may consider to be "blessings" for the wicked, and that surely prosperous wicked people must be suffering in some unseen area in their lives. It is that kind of thinking, when disproved,that causes some who have not built a foundation in the Scriptures to become disillusioned when they find out otherwise.
Wicked people (anyone who rejects Jesus Christ) can do very well in this life, just as Asaph observed. Judgment for our rejection of Jesus Christ takes place following this life as we read about in Revelation 20:11-15. It is the recognition of that judgment that brought about Asaph's victory over his envy of the wicked. "Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God." Verses 27-28a.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth."
Asaph makes an observation about wicked people- they prosper in wealth and health in this life! How concerning to those of the "Health and Wealth Gospel" crowd of today! Were we to judge someone's status with our Creator based on how successful they might be, we would find ourselves in contradiction to both the Scriptures and what can be observed in this life.
Look at what Asaph observes about the wicked:
"They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, 'How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?'
This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth." Verses 4-12.
Goodies in this life are short-termed. While many may enjoy the "good things" this life has to offer, this life is only a drop in a bucket compared to eternity! It is what is ours in eternity that is important. The wealth and health of sinful people in this life is an illusion that placates them as they slide right into God's judgment of a "fiery lake of burning sulfur", Revelation 21:8, for all eternity.
Unfortunately, many ill-informed Christians (of the Scriptures) shrug off what they may consider to be "blessings" for the wicked, and that surely prosperous wicked people must be suffering in some unseen area in their lives. It is that kind of thinking, when disproved,that causes some who have not built a foundation in the Scriptures to become disillusioned when they find out otherwise.
Wicked people (anyone who rejects Jesus Christ) can do very well in this life, just as Asaph observed. Judgment for our rejection of Jesus Christ takes place following this life as we read about in Revelation 20:11-15. It is the recognition of that judgment that brought about Asaph's victory over his envy of the wicked. "Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God." Verses 27-28a.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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