Psalm 140:1-13

All of us are very much aware of the fact that we share this planet with many wicked men.  There are many people who do not fear God and live in direct rebellion against Him.  These men do not threaten God in any way, but they sure can make life miserable for those people who do love God that live in close proximity to them.  The question that we must answer is how are we as believers expected to respond not this reality?  There have been many responses throughout history to this question.  Some have tried to exterminate evil through military action, others have tried to ignore it in hopes that it will go away.  Neither response has been very effective.  The truth is that as long as we are waiting for the return of Christ we will face this reality.  However, this Psalm sheds some light on how we should respond to this reality.

PRAY FOR PROTECTION FROM WICKED MEN: Prayers is the most effective means through which we can deal with wicked men.  We need to always remember that all men, good and evil, are under the sovereign control of God.  We can take our requests to the Lord.  He is able to deliver us from the wicked and dangerous plots that wicked men may plan.  God is also able to protect us from the influence that evil men may have upon us.  Wicked men present two very real dangers to every person who desires to follow God.  The first is what they might do to us in the form of persecution.  The second is the influence that they have on us.  Unfortunately, many followers of the Lord have suffered at the hands of wicked men, but more unfortunately still is the reality that many God followers have been overcome by wicked influences to the point that they themselves become wicked men.  We must cry out to the Lord for protection from these two realities.


PRAY FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF WICKED MEN:  Evil is displeasing to God and brings great heartbreak to the people of God.  It is within the power of God to bring them down to destruction whenever He wants.  One day He will do exactly that.  There is no problem whatsoever with lovers of God calling out for Him to destroy these wicked men.  God is very gracious and most of the time He allows for evil men to remain and on occasion He chooses to “destroy” them by humbling them and bringing them to Himself.  However He chooses to take care of evil men, He is completely capable of removing them or of bringing them to repentance.  The point is that we are not to consider ourselves to be judge and jury in these matters.  Rather, our posture should be one of prayer that the Lord in His wisdom will end their destructive ways.  Instead of fighting evil men or ignoring them, we should fall on our knees and pray for God to accomplish His will in our lives and theirs. 

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