Inspirational Message

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For several weeks we have been studying together each of the first nine verses of Psalm 112. Now we come to the tenth and last verse in this inspiring psalm!

This scriptural passage begins with a reference to “the wicked man”. In our American society, it is not politically correct to call someone “wicked”. However, a quick search reveals the Bible mentions “wicked” or a form of the word, such as “wickedness”, over 450 times! Wicked, in the Hebrew, simply means “an actively bad person; condemned, guilty, ungodly.” The wicked person is the opposite of the one described in the first part of Psalm 112.

What does the wicked do? He or she “sees”. Sees what? Sees the righteous man or woman and all the benefits received from a righteous life that we have studied thus far: godly children, spiritual wealth, good for the generous, never shaken, a steadfast heart, etc.

Then the Bible says the wicked man is “vexed”. What does “vexed” mean? It means the wicked look on all the good things that come to the person who fears and walks with God in righteousness and is angry – very, very angry. It is even a rage that may result in harm to others. Evidence of this anger is in the wicked person’s teeth gnashing. Picture an angry person clinching hard on their teeth and curling both hands in fists of hatred! Then the wicked wastes away.

The very last part of this passage is “the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.” This means what the wicked wants and desires will be lost. His or her very life will fail where there is no escape. It is an extremely sad existence this person chooses to live.

The righteous person who fears God is given nine of the ten verses in Psalm 112. The very last verse is dedicated to warning the wicked person so he will turn from his sin and to the Lord.

While reading about the “wicked” did you exclude yourself? Could it be that you and I, apart from the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, are desperately wicked and lost to God forever? Oh, maybe it is not by our actions but in our hearts.

The prophet, Isaiah, says it best in Isaiah 53:6, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Thanks be to God for sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to bear your sin and mine so that we may have true life in him.

“The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.” (Psalm 112:10)

William “Carey” Northington of One Master Ministries in Xenia may be contacted at www.OneMaster.org.

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