Passage Read: Psalm 71-74
Meditation Verses: 73:16-17
Thought
It is so easy to be distracted and deceived by the prosperity and comfort of the wicked. When all I do is look at men, it is clear that to be wicked and live for my own pleasure is profitable, possible and desirable. If this is all there is, then why not? There would be no eternal judgment, so anything you can get away with among men, go for it! Why bother with righteousness or restraint? Just do whatever it takes to get ahead, to get rich and to have no worries in life! But once you bring God into the picture, it becomes clear that that is a horrible way to live, because at best, the prosperity only lasts this lifetime. After that, there is a judgment, and the Lord will condemn all who live for themselves without regard for others.
Application
If I keep my eyes on the world of men alone, then it is hard to understand why I wouldn't want to cut corners or make compromises. But if I keep the Lord not just in mind but in view, fully appreciating not just what He has in store for the wicked but also what He has in store for the righteous, then I will be very careful to do what He honors and avoid what He condemns. The wicked are not to be envied, when I see the bigger picture that includes God and His eternal purposes. Wealth and comfort are not goals I should bother with. The more I give myself to do the will of the Lord, the more confidence I have in the Lord's promised reward and repayment.