Topic: Are you deceived by the prosperity of the wicked?
Bible Reading: Psalm 73-74; Romans 5.
Memory Verse: “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 thy works.” Psalm 73:28 (KJV).
The Bible describes the wicked clearly in Psalm 10:2-11; the summary of which implies an oppressor who is arrogant and oppressive. Their pride and violence spell disaster for anyone who stands in their way. The wicked is unmindful of your sacrifices for him in the past; he is more concerned about self interest. This explains the character of a man in one of the good residential estates in Lagos who used his mother for money ritual and joined everyone to search for her whereabout! . For anyone to engage in such an act, he does not have God in his heart (Psalm 10:4). This same man tried to cover his track by attending a church and giving generously both in the church and other philantrophic activities.
He appeared prosperous and so many may not have known about his wickedness but his heart would have pricked him continuously and he would have had heart aches he was unable to share with those who could help him. The man eventually died and his secret was revealed as the corpse of the mother was found in one of his rooms!
Beside the torment that would have trailed him till his death, he would more importantly end up in hell for his wickedness. In some other cases, their wickedness are known before they die and they get punished on earth and get damnation after death!
In all cases the Psalmist talks about their life in Psalm 73:19 (KJV), “How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.” Though the people around them may not know but their inner heart are constantly in terror! He said further in Psalm Psalm 73:27 (KJV), “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” And in comparison to the righteous, the Bible says in Psalm 37:16 (KJV), “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”
So do not be deceived by the seeming liberty and/or wealth of the wicked, it is better to put your faith in the Lord who can guarantee your eternity! Let your song be like that of the Psalmist in Psalm 73:28 (KJV), “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 thy works.”
Action Point: If you belong to the group of the wicked; it is not too late for you. Repent now and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and secure your future!
Bro. Biodun Oyapero