The Ways of the Wicked

I finished another read through of the Bible and was unsure of where to start next.  As I prayed, I felt pulled towards Psalms, maybe because things have been challenging lately on several fronts.  I’ve heard the same from so many people, that the Enemy seems to be working overtime sifting, stressing, and battling with God’s people.  I guess I felt drawn to all that David endured - his highs and lows, and how he cried out to God expressing fears and frustrations, yet still rallied his trust and faith in God.  Lessons I need to learn from.

Psalm 1 teaches that those who walk in God’s ways rather than the ways of the world will be blessed.  So what are the ways of the world?  Sin.  Hanging out with sinners.  Taking their advice.  Mocking God.  Thinking you know it all and can do it all by yourself.  Living for yourself or for the moment with no concern for the consequences.  These are some things that came to mind.

Rarely do we think of ourselves as wicked.  It seems like such a harsh word – a word reserved for pedophiles, rapists, and serial killers.  Surely I’m not an evil, wicked sinner, right?  But what about being arrogant, prideful, hurtful, self-promoting, self-righteous, independent, or indifferent?  Do any of these descriptions fit or is it just me?  Because these are sins as well.  And sinners are the folks who will blow away like chaff – their lives and everything they’ve worked for.

On judgment day those who lived for temporal, worldly gain will fall before God.  They won’t be able to stand in his presence.  They won’t have anything to show for their lives.  In contrast, those who delight in God’s Word and do what it says will be blessed and cared for.  They will produce fruit that lasts eternally.

Verse 6 says “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”  There are basically two paths to choose from, and it’s our choice which one to take.  For me, this psalm gives us a glimpse into the abundant life the Lord offers, but also shows that we have to choose it. 

And we have to work at it.  Living according to God’s ways isn’t easy.  We need to know what sin is.  We need to work to avoid it.  We need to study God’s word and reflect on it, letting it renew our thoughts, desires, and motives until we love what God loves, hates what he hates, and desire his will above all else.

I thank the Lord that he calls me righteous even though I misstep into sin.  I thank Him that he forgives me and watches over me helping to keep my path straight.  I thank Him that each day I am blessed in small and large ways, and pray that when I’m too caught up in myself and the circumstances around me that he reminds me to return my focus to him – the author and perfecter or my faith.