This week's Bible Study - January 20, 2008
Breakthrough in Judgment
 Background Scripture:
Psalm 7:1-17
Quote of the Week:
“Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.”
Wayne Dyer
Why do they prosper? We look at the newspapers and TV news each day, and we seemingly see time after time where the wicked and evil people prosper. Their businesses seem to thrive and they seem to almost be blessed by God, rather than judged. You have to admit that sometimes, it is disheartening. You see people that seem to be seeking God that are unsuccessful. Jobs are lost. Illnesses hit families. They experience other types of problems in life. Has God forgotten them?
We often live our lives with spiritual blinders on. We have sometimes bought into the through that life is all about here and now. The things that seem most important are job successes, financial success, popularity and so forth. The 'important' things change over time - different for a kid than for a young adult or a senior adult. Our culture tells us that things are important - and if we buy into that, we often run counter to what God has shown us to be the important things of life. When we buy the world's lie, we often see those who are prospering and believe that God is giving the wicked a free ride. Rather than buying into what the world says, what does God say about wickedness and justice?
The psalmist starts by referring to "my God". This is a key part of Christianity. God is not the god of our church or the god of our faith or the god of your friends or family. God is to be your God. Christianity allows us to have a personal relationship with our Father, so that we can come before him as children and know that he will hear our request.
The writer takes refuse in God, from those who pursue him. If you think about where people take refuse today, you will see that they go many places. Some believe that they are free from problems because of their status - their bank account, their 'safe' job, their security in a nation. All of these things can change and provide a liability rather than an asset.
Our only true refuse is God. Without finding refuge in God, we are totally alone in the midst of our enemies. Any other place that we seek refuge will do nothing for us. Finding an ice floe for safety in the Arctic region is good, only as long as the Arctic region stays very cold. That may seem safe, but given recent trends and other trends in past history, you should get off the ice floe - and get into the flow of seeking God.
When you have wronged another, is this the prayer that you pray? Verses 3 through 5 say "O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands, if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe, then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust." I dare say that none of us want to utter this prayer when we've wronged another person. Or, maybe it's just me. Do you ask that the wrong overtake you, trample your life and make you sleep in the dust?
However, when we start to realize the gravity of our sin, we do realize that God's justice is merited. If our failures were the end of the story, we, as believers, would be a sad bunch. We've all wronged others - sometimes small, sometimes large. Can you imagine what life would be like if we really got what was coming to us? I used to think that it would be good if God thunked the side of my head when I sinned. But, now I realize that I would have a fairly permanent indenture in the side of my head - as we all would. Thank God that he loved us so much that he sent Jesus Christ.
When we've been wronged, we want to take the steps to make things right. We generally seek revenge - it's the unbridled, human response - our natural tendency. We want to get even (and then some). However, we are much better off to wait and allow God to carry out his justice.
All are subject to God's judgment. The peoples of the earth assemble around God and he rules over them. He is THE ruler and he is THE judge. They may serve human kings or religious 'rulers', but they all answer to THE ruler. There are no technicalities by which we get off.
God will search minds and hearts to get the answer. When we are judged by others, we are judged by what they think they know. When we are judged by God, he truly knows us. Whether you are the righteous or the wicked, there is no hiding it - and God will reward fairly. If you go to court, whether you are innocent or guilty, you always have a tinge of worry, knowing that the truth may not come out or that it may be twisted. Any court has bias - only being able to judge on what is seen or believed to be known. God knows all and he will bring an end to violence of the wicked and will make the righteous secure.
My shield is God most high. We do not look to a political ruler or a king as our protector and shield. Any human is prone to failure and abuses of power. God is righteous. His mercy and his wrath are shown every day. In your circle, you may see that wickedness seems to prevail, however, throughout the world, God is active in judging wickedness in due time. God's timing is not our timing.
You've probably seen the movie where it just seems everything is going the wrong way. Problems from stepping out of bed to stepping back in bed at the end of the day. Can you imagine if God was against you and how much worse your day could get? Can you imagine God not relenting in his wrath upon you? When we seek revenge on our own, we are short circuiting God's plans and his judgment is sure.
The ways of the wicked and evil are certainly not straight. Their lives become lies and they dig holes that they fall in. Can you remember a time in your life when you tried to cover a lie for an extended period of time? You can't always remember the lie, but you can always remember the truth. When you are truthful, you won't trip yourself up, because your story will be straight. Those who conceive trouble bring disillusionment to their lives and those around them.
Again, it may appear that the wicked thrive and prosper, but in doing so, they are bringing near the judgment of God upon their lives. There has recently been a move called "Pursuit of Happyness". While there are many redeeming qualities about that movie, it really shows a trap that many of us can easily fall in. In the effort to pursue a living or establish a career, we can lose sight of what is important in our lives and lose it. If the end goal is a career, you may eventually get it, but is that where life is?
If you've seen the movie, you saw a man that was desperately seeking a job, for many of the right reasons - to care for his child. However, what would be different if we showed that same sort of dogged pursuit of God? Where would you end up? There are others who are pursuing things in life - and rather than happiness, it may be wickedness. I don't know whether that was the intent from the start, but at some point, there are people that seem to be given over to evil desires and pursuits. They will bring trouble on themselves.
We should be giving thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness. Even though we often fail him, he never changes. Of that, we should be very thankful. If we served any god that was temperamental and changing based on the situation, we would have much to fear. Let us sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High.
Closing
When we think of wicked people, there are probably names that come to your mind. They may be well known, or they may be people who have been in your life. We tend to write people off because of their 'wickedness'.
What if you were only known by your worst day? What if it was only the most wicked, sinful thing that you've ever done or thought that was known for eternity? We've all failed - but most of us have also truly sought God. We should remember that God uses circumstances in people's lives to bring them in a closer walk with him. When we try and take the place of God's judgment, we may be quenching what God desires in a persons' life.
Even if we aren't actively bringing about judgment on the life of another, ill will and other evil thoughts negatively impact our own lives. Sure, you may have been wronged and it may be difficult to forgive another, or even to just let them quit 'terrorizing' your mind. Negative thoughts towards others impact us. Ask God to help you let go of those thoughts you may have.
Lastly, what if we really did seek God, as the wicked pursue wickedness? If you're like me, you know firsthand of the impact of a short time with God each morning - praying for needs (yours and others), asking for forgiveness and daily cleansing - spending time reading God's Word. How many times have I started my day like that and felt the goodness of God throughout the day. There are still problems, but my attitude is much greater. But, the irony of it all is this - we know that, but many of us struggle daily to do it. When we don't spend that time, we fly off the handle much easier and we seem to struggle with others throughout the day.
God is righteous. He will judge the wicked, but he has given us his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sins. If you boast in your goodness, you are wrong. Our righteousness is like filthy rags before God. However, when we have accepted Jesus Christ, we are seen as pure as the snow. Our sins are washed away and we can come before God in confidence - not in our goodness, but in the goodness of Christ.
Pursue goodness. Pursue Christ - and everything else will be added unto you.
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