The Truth In Print Vol
14 Issue 3, April 2008
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
God Turns The Way Of The Wicked
Upside Down
Dear reader we have two prior articles
from the Psalms that will be of some help in understanding that one’s integrity
is a basis for asking God for protective care against the wicked. These
articles are (1) “The Way of Integrity, Ps. 119” May 2007, Vol. 13 Issue 4 and
(2) “Vindication Based Upon One’s Integrity, Righteousness” March 2008, Vol. 14
Issue 2. After this study you may desire to explore these helpful lessons from
the Psalms.
Right now, let’s consider the path
of the wicked that is a familiar topic throughout the Psalms.
I. God Thwarts The Way Of The Wicked (Ps. 146).
There is but ten verses in this Psalm thus
one might easily read it at this time. This is one of many Psalms that teaches
us not to put our trust in men of power, nor in any man who will grow old and die,
but to trust in God who created all things and who executes justice and
deliverances for the righteous while confounding the way of the wicked: “The
Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth
the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth
upside down” (Ps. 146:9).
The wicked get what they do not
expect from God! They continue on in their perverse, crooked ways and find out
that God deals with them according to His word ~ “With the pure thou will shew thyself pure; and with the froward
thou wilt shew thy self froward”
(Ps. 18:26). The word “forward” means shrewd, cunning. No man out thinks, plans or out-runs God (read the book of Jonah; read
about wicked Haman in the book of
Esther.)
II. God Puts The Wicked In Great Fear (Ps. 53).
Again, this is very short Psalm of just six verses so why not read it right
now? Why? Because you may be among the many who have no knowledge of the kind
of fear that God can strike their hearts with!
God says, “Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who
eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. 5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the
bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them”
(Ps. 53:4-5).
God did
this to them because He despised them! Concerning Israel God promised them if
they did not obey all His commandments then He would in turn, for their not
obeying, plague them with sudden terror. If then, they continue to act with
hostility against Him He would bring on them seven times more plagues! After
that if they did not obey He promised He would walk contrary to them and punish
them yet seven times! And then if they continued in rebellion He said He would
be contrary to them with fury and give them seven times more for their sins! (read Lev. 26:14-33). God doesn’t quit!
III. Accusers Are Filled With Their Own Ways (Ps. 109).
In this Psalm David is opposed for following
what is good; he is repaid evil for good and hatred for love. David teaches
what to do at such times as he says, “In return for my love they are my
accusers, but I give myself to prayer.”
What Will Happen To This Wicked Man?
1. He will get
the same kind of treatment in return, Ps.109:6-8. Read these verses and you
will see a familiar face in the Gospels, Judas’. Where is Judas in Acts 1:20?
He was blotted out of the book of life! (Ps. 69:22-28).
2. He loved cursing so it came to him, Ps. 109:17.
3. He did not delight in blessing so he received none, Ps. 109:17.
4. He was filled with his own sins, Ps. 109:18-20. He put on cursing as a
garment and wore it! It entered his body like water! Like oil into his bones!
5. Being filled he was made to see God bless the one he cursed, Ps.
119:26-29.
6. Seeing evidence of God’s care for the righteous makes him more ashamed,
Ps. 86:17.
7. Seeing the good works of the one
he cursed just fills him with more anger, indignation, Ps. 112:9-10.
8. God has clothed the wicked alright, with shame and dishonor! (Ps.
35:24-26).
Mouths will be shut!
(Ps. 107:42)..
10. “Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled
with their own fancies” (Proverbs 1:31).
The one who is
wise pays close attention to these things, Ps. 107:43 says. Pay attention!
IV. The Purpose of Their Traps (Ps. 140).
In this Psalm you read about the traps set by the wicked.
Things
Concerning Their Traps
1. These are those who continually stir up wars, Ps. 140:2.
2. Devise traps that purpose “tripping up the feet” – to chase and push
down, Ps. 140:4.
3. They do this to exalt themselves! Their evil desires and devices used to
exalt themselves will not be granted in answer to prayers, Ps. 140:8.
4. Evil can return to hunt the evil man blow for blow after each act of
wickedness, Ps. 140:9-11.
5. They can fall into their own snares and nets, while the righteous escape
safely, Ps. 141:8-10; cp. Ps. 135:8.
6. When too strong for the righteous God can break the snare for them, Ps.
142:6-7 (cp. 2 Cor. 11:33; Heb. 11:34).
7. The wicked are mere men, and God still shows them that they are (Ps.
9:20).
8. God demonstrates His power over them and makes them ashamed
(disappointed, confounded) and dishonored (feel
insult, put to reproach, confusion) (Ps. 35:4-8).
9. They can be turned or driven backwards and humiliated
(dishonored). God can make the wicked retreat! (cp. Ps. 35:26).
V. God Can Overthrow The “Best” Of Secret Counsel (Ps. 64).
1. They shoot
from “concealment” (secret) and without fear of God but only for a while, Ps.
64:2-4.
2. They are bold and encourage one another as they talk of their plan, Ps.
64:5.
3. They carefully perfect their plan with shrewdness; it is thought out
well, Ps. 64:6.
4. When they think their evil is complete and working God shoots back! Ps.
64:7.
5. Suddenly they are the ones wounded and afraid. Their own tongue (bitter
speech, slander, wicked plans) comes back and is stumbling for them and now
they are disgraced, Ps. 64:8.
6. You’ll notice now that there is no one left to brag to and lie to, Ps.
64:8.
7. God’s purpose in overthrowing secret counsel is that all men will fear
because they will understand it is His work while vindicating the blameless,
Ps. 64:9.
8. Those who see and understand will declare it to be God’s work, Ps. 64:9.
9. The righteous will be glad and trust in God, Ps. 64:10.
10. As they declare God’s works they will proclaim that the Lord favors
those who fear Him, those who depend on his mercy, lovingkindess,
Ps. 147:11.
11. Some of the wicked can be brought to the Gospel by the defeat of their
own plans (Ps. 83:16-18).
Concerned
reader, the wise will pay close attention to all these things! (Ps. 64:9,
107:43).