Scripture
When I tried to understand these things, it was too hard for me.
~Psalm 73:16, Cloverdale
Quote
Greed can rule the poor just as it does the wealthy. A man can be just as selfish with one dollar as a man with a million.
~David Rudolph
Psalm 73 was written by Asaph and it is an outstanding piece of literature. Asaph wrestles with the problem of evil and the prosperity and success of the wicked. In verse 12 he says, “This is what the wicked are like–always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” I am a sequential learner and a list maker. Practically everytime I study a passage, I see a list and in Psalm 73 we have a list of the characteristics of the properous wicked. I think I have done the list out of the Cloverdale but this list comes from four different translations. The properous wicked from Asaph’s point of view:
- Smug, sleek, proud and arrogant
- Self-indulgent, do what they want when they want
- Care free, have no problems or struggles
- The misfortunes of others does not burden them
- Proud of their sin, opulent
- Cruel, they get what they want even if it means violence
- Pampered and pompous
- Vain
- Snobs
- Scoffers
- Bullies
- Loud mouths
- Know-it-alls
- Windbags, full of hot air
- Narcissistic, think only of themselves
- Popular, have celebrity status
- Intelligent or worldly wise
- Have the midas touch
- Boastful
- Wicked, and living in active rebellion against God
A couple of observations: Asaph was depressed by the prosperity of the wicked until he worshipped God. While he was in worship, God spoke to him, reminding him that the prosperity was temporary. They might live long lives on this earth but their end would come quickly and they would slide off suddenly into a pit of destruction and terror. So lesson number one is: do not envy the wicked, they have no future. Lesson number two: While we believers may struggle at times and seek answers to questions that our beyond our ability to understand, we do have Jesus and He is all we need now and forever. The properous wicked have money and care free living now, but not forever.
Think about it: would you prefer to suffer now and be care free forever or be care free now and suffer forever. Forever makes a big difference!
Extra
A friend came up to me after Breakfast and the Bible this morning {5:30, Warehouse Coffee in Hartselle} and said, “When you were reading the story of the wicked tenants from Matthew 21, I saw something I had never seen…God is the land owner.” That made my day. God is at work, whether we realize it or not. We don’t always see tangible results but that doesn’t mean the Spirit is not working.
I felt so bad on Saturday that I went to bed at 3:30 Saturday evening and stayed in bed until 4:30 Sunday morning. I knew I had to be to feeling better to preach and I give praise to the LORD for renewing my strength and enabling me to preach twice. I am learning in my old age that strength and energy are very important gifts.
Speaking of strength and energy; my good friend Rick Freeman’s son in law David Mote is very, very sick. His pain has been horrible. Pray that the Hospice people will get him regulated so that he does not suffer so much. His cancer is everywhere. His kidney’s are not working at all. David’s wife is Amanda and they have four girls: I think Rick said 21, 17, 12 and 9. Bro. Rick and his wife Doreen serve the Gum Springs Baptist Church where Carol’s sister Margie attends. They could use your prayers this week.
God bless you, I hope you have a good day and a good week.