Thursday, July 10, 2014

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS"
Psalm 7:14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.
Psalm 7:15 He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psalm 7:16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This Psalm has been called "Prayer and praise for deliverance from Enemies"
Written and sung by King David to the Lord concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite.
Cush is believed to be one of King Saul's henchmen, who had been sent to kill David.
Cush is also believed to be Shimei the man who sided with Absalom, and cursed David as he was being sent out of Jerusalem.
David restrained his men from retaliating against Shimei. However when Solomon became King, David ordered Shimei to be executed.
In this Psalm, much is said of what happens ( ultimately ) to the wicked.
And, it underscores the beauty and wonder of God's people having access to Him.
1. The wicked bring forth two things.
Psalm 7:14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.
This verse is a simple description of what a wicked man produces in his life, or what comes out of his life.
He brings forth iniquity.
And, he conceives trouble.
And brings forth falsehood.
Here's how it reads in the NLT
Psalm 7:14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.
This is what this man Cush was doing in his life against David.
2. The wicked have a sad surprise waiting for them.
Psalm 7:15 He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made.
Scripture over and over again states the truth of this verse. When the wicked set out to hurt someone, they will wind up getting hurt themselves. Little did this man Cush, or Shimei know what was going to happen to him much further down the road. In fact, David showed mercy to this man for a period of time.
But, in the end due to some further actions on Cush's part, he wound up being executed by David's son Solomon.
So, it's one thing for a wicked man to act wickedly today, and to plan to bring hurt to others. But, the Bible warns over and over again, that if you dig a pit for someone to fall into, in other words, if you are being hateful and malicious towards someone, know that one day, you will experience what you had planned for the other person.
3. The wicked will reap what they sow.
Psalm 7:16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
God has built this principle, this law into life. It goes both ways. One can sow righteousness and reap blessing, one can sow sin, and reap corruption,
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Another way of saying this is found in the following verse.
Isaiah 54:17 But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court will be brought to justice. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
4. The righteous can praise God, and sing to the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
This is the other side of the story. And, it can be any of our stories. Not righteous on our own accord, but righteous by our having believed in Christ. Saved by grace. Walking in the ways of the Lord. Praising God, and blessing Him all the days of our lives.
What a different and wonderful life we can have now, and in the future for all eternity.
The choice is up to every man. Choose life in Christ, and enjoy the blessings of God now and forever.
Questions:
1. Do you have someone who is assaulting you with sin and trouble at this time?
2. Pray for them, for they have a sad future that awaits them.
3. Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your own life yet?
4. Will you today, take a moment to thank God, and to praise Him, and to pray for your enemies?
A prayer:
Father, the Psalms are such a blessing to us. They resonate with us. We read them and we find such comfort, hope, instruction, peace and power in them. Thank You for preserving them for us, and having them available for us to read.
How many millions and millions of Your children have been refreshed and helped beyond words by them. Thank You Lord.
In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Psalm 7:14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.
Psalm 7:15 He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psalm 7:16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.