FAITH CAPSULE: Desist wickedness and know that the righteous will live with God forever.

Psalm 73

Do you know if you are wicked one? Jeremiah identified the wicked by stating, “Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken the root; they grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth but far from their mind.” (Jeremiah 12:1-2) The identity of wicked in Jeremiah’s word is those with the word of God in their mouth but not in their heart. In the church, among acclaimed believers, the word of God is very conversant in the mouth but word of God is not evident in way of living.
The Psalmist pointed out several characters of the wicked in Psalm 73 stating that: The wicked are not in trouble as other men, pride serves as their necklace, violence covers them like a garment, their eyes bulge in abundance, and they have more than eyes could wish. Psalmist further identified that the wicked scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression, they speak loftily, they set their mouth against heaven and their tongue walks through the earth. The psalmist called the wicked ungodly. According to the psalmist, wicked are always at ease and they increase in riches.
The psalmist could not hide his feelings as regard to wicked ones when he stated, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2-3) Wicked ones in the days of the psalmist are still same of today. Nothing has changed in the characters of the wicked ones. However, God sees all and He is neither slumber nor sleep. Just like the psalmist, are you weary about seeing how the wicked prosper? God is in total control of all and it does not matter how much the population increases, He is still in control. True believers who want to see the end of the wicked reigns should only remain focus on God and not be partaker the acts of wickedness. True believer should rest on God knowing that the prosperity of the wicked shall not last; the pleasure of the wicked shall surely vanish and it will not be recognized before God. In the ways of life, desist from wickedness and know that the righteous will live with God forever. Do not be envious of the wicked, take heed to the word of Psalm 73:28 as stated, “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works.” (Psalm 73:28)

Prayer for today: Ask God for the heart that lives in the fear of God.