SORROW OF UNGODLY PROSPERITY.
Memorize
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Psalm 37:1
READ: Psalm 37:1-9
1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
MESSAGE:
It is common for unbelievers to flaunt prosperity. However, as we see in today’s memory verse, God does not want His children to be carried away by the prosperity of unbelievers.
Today’s Scripture reading contains many attractive things that unbelievers seemingly enjoy, so much so that unless a child of God is well-grounded in the Scripture, the fellow might think he or she is missing out on something by being godly.
Beloved, deciding to maintain a godly lifestyle is the best decision you can ever make. God is taking account of your watchfulness in doing His will and He will soon make it known to the wicked world that you are right and they are wrong. The Psalmist describes the end of the wicked in Psalm 73:16-18:
“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.”
You do not have to be corrupt simply because of the world claims that everyone is. The truth is that, like God did in the days of Elijah (1 Kings 19:14,18), He has also reserved an unimaginable number of his children who have made up their minds to follow the Master to the end, even today.
The story is told of two Christians soldiers who stormed a meeting place of Christians during the reign of terror in the Soviet Union. These soldiers threatened to kill whoever confessed Jesus as their Lord, and promised to set free those who might want to change their minds. Unfortunately, many of those ‘Christians’ denied Christ. It was while the freed worshippers were leaving that the soldiers revealed their true identities and intent to show hypocritical Christians among the flock.
Today, ungodliness is in vogue because it seems to pay off. However, this is not true, especially when you consider the end of people who live as such. Beloved, let us keep on the firing line of holiness because Matthew 10:22 says whosoever endures to the end shall experience the ultimate salvation.
May you indeed endure to the end and receive your crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to keep holding fast to the word of salvation and to live thereby, to the end.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DANIEL 1-6.
HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.
1. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,
How can I love thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
2. Had I but Mary's sinless heart
To love thee with, my dearest King,
Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing.
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
3. Thy Body, Soul, and Godhead, all,
O mystery of love divine.
I cannot compass all I have,
For all thou hast and art are mine.
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
