Psalms 49-50
Romans 1
“[The wicked man’s] ways are always prosperous; Your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.” —Psalm 10:5
The opening verse of this devotion about the wicked man is one of the most difficult verses to swallow. As we look around our world today, we see injustice with people trapped in slavery, taken by powerful oppressors who believe making money matters more than a person’s life.
Statistics from the International Justice Mission tells us that more than 50 million people are in slavery today—that is more than there had ever been in human history! Slavery is a multibillion-dollar industry that brings in about 200 billion dollars annually. Slave owners prey on the poor and the weak. In fact, one in four victims of forced labour slavery is a child.
There is a selfism at the heart of our society, a self-absorption that seeks its own prosperity and is willing to exploit others in the process. It finds its root in hostility towards God, people operating like they will not be called to give an account. And, according to the opening verse of this devotion, it seems like they are getting away with it. Where do we go with all the injustice towards countless millions of people that we do not know? What can be done to the wicked exploiting the weak? This issue seems too large and too overwhelming...
We can do what David did—we can fight injustice through prayer. He had his eyes focused on the wicked man, but he turned away from that image and turned his eyes towards God, as he started to engage in intercessory prayer. David prayed, “Arise, LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not
otherwise be found out” (Psalm 10:12-15).
With our eyes fixed on God we know from Scripture that all of humanity, both the righteous and the wicked, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, where we will have to give an account for how we have lived our lives. On that day, may we find comfort in the words of Proverbs 11:21, which tells us, “Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” God’s ultimate judgment, condemning the wicked for all eternity, will bring justice.
Almighty God, I cry out to You for justice in this broken, hurting and corrupt world. Show me how I can partner with You and be a part of bringing relief to those in need. Thank You, Lord.
Romans 1
“[The wicked man’s] ways are always prosperous; Your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.” —Psalm 10:5
The opening verse of this devotion about the wicked man is one of the most difficult verses to swallow. As we look around our world today, we see injustice with people trapped in slavery, taken by powerful oppressors who believe making money matters more than a person’s life.
Statistics from the International Justice Mission tells us that more than 50 million people are in slavery today—that is more than there had ever been in human history! Slavery is a multibillion-dollar industry that brings in about 200 billion dollars annually. Slave owners prey on the poor and the weak. In fact, one in four victims of forced labour slavery is a child.
There is a selfism at the heart of our society, a self-absorption that seeks its own prosperity and is willing to exploit others in the process. It finds its root in hostility towards God, people operating like they will not be called to give an account. And, according to the opening verse of this devotion, it seems like they are getting away with it. Where do we go with all the injustice towards countless millions of people that we do not know? What can be done to the wicked exploiting the weak? This issue seems too large and too overwhelming...
We can do what David did—we can fight injustice through prayer. He had his eyes focused on the wicked man, but he turned away from that image and turned his eyes towards God, as he started to engage in intercessory prayer. David prayed, “Arise, LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not
otherwise be found out” (Psalm 10:12-15).
With our eyes fixed on God we know from Scripture that all of humanity, both the righteous and the wicked, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, where we will have to give an account for how we have lived our lives. On that day, may we find comfort in the words of Proverbs 11:21, which tells us, “Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” God’s ultimate judgment, condemning the wicked for all eternity, will bring justice.
Almighty God, I cry out to You for justice in this broken, hurting and corrupt world. Show me how I can partner with You and be a part of bringing relief to those in need. Thank You, Lord.
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