THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BLESSED, BUT THE WICKED ARE JUDGED

Psalms 107:33-43 says, "He changes rivers into deserts, and springs of water into dry, thirsty land. He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands because of the wickedness of those who live there. But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water. He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities. They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops. How he blesses them! They raise large families there, and their herds of livestock increase. When they decrease in number and become impoverished through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, the Lord pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands. But he rescues the poor from trouble and increases their families like flocks of sheep. The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord." The last section of Psalms 107 is the comparison of the wicked and the righteous. The wicked represent those who rejected God's ways, and the righteous represent those who follow God. God blesses the righteous but judges the wicked. 

God is the ultimate source of blessings. Although the wicked may prosper because of their wickedness, God will eventually bring them down. Jesus said these words in Mark 8:36, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" What Jesus was saying is that a person can have all the wealth and comfort of this world, but if he rejects God in his life, he will lose everything at the end because God will judge all those who rejected Him at the end. However, those of us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior are saved from the judgment of God. Moreover, as we continue to live in this world, whatever our circumstances are, God takes care of us. He watches over us and provides everything that we need. We may not have everything that we want and wish, but He gives us everything we need. In this new year, let us remember that God's ways always lead to blessings, whether they are spiritual, physical, and/or emotional. 

As we conclude Psalm 107, we need to remember that God's blessings come in many ways, and He knows how to bless us. Let us persevere in following God and walk in His ways, for it is the path to life.  

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How does God treat the wicked? How does God treat those who follow Him? Give at least three reasons I have to follow God's ways.

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning that your ways always lead to life. Please guide me to stay close to you in all I do this year. Please give me the strength not to give in to temptations that easily entangle me. Your ways lead to life, but the wicked ways always lead to destruction, no matter how attractive they are. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.