"It is of the greatest importance what that is which is continually before us. That which is constantly in a man's eye must help very largely to shape him...If the thing which is constantly before us is larger and better than ourselves, its hourly presence rebukes our littleness and our badness, and works to assimilate us to itself. If it is worse than ourselves, it draws downward. There was philosophy as well as enthusiasm in the apostle's exhortation to run, looking unto Jesus, and in Paul keeping his eye on the prize of his high calling, and reaching forth to that which is before." - The Biblical Illustrator
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked rise" (Proverbs 28:28)?
This is depicting a time when "wicked" men are preferred and set in high places of great authority ...when power is put into their hands (which they exercise to the distress of the righteous)...when corruptions prevail...and there seem to be no good men left.
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked beareth rule" (Proverbs 29:2)?
This is a time when the number of good men is lessened because they are being cut off or obliged to flee. It is a time when "wicked" men are encouraged...wickedness abounds or is promoted ...and cruelty and injustice are exercised - leaving no man's person or property to be safe.
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked are multiplied" and "transgression increaseth" (Proverbs 29:16)?
When the "wicked" are in authority, "transgression increases." When the godless are many, sins become many. When they "walk on every side," "transgression" grows more and more impudent and bold...more dictatorial and threatening - because there are many to sanction it. When they get the upper hand in the community, a lowering of the moral tone and a general laxity in conduct results.
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked cometh" - bringing "contempt, and with ignominy reproach" (Proverbs 18:3)?
Whenever "the wicked cometh" into the depth of sin or to the height of their wickedness, they become scoffers at or condemners of all that is good. In the house of God, you will find that they do not come to hear the Word of God, but to contemn it and its ministers. They despise all that is good...treat divine things in a ludicrous way... will not spare to reproach the best of men...and end up bringing shame and disgrace upon themselves and their families.
Again, "when the wicked cometh," they put "contempt" upon all - God, His people, His ministers, and everything that is said and done. They flout and jeer everything that is serious and grave. All that they say and do brings disgrace upon themselves and their families.
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish..." (Psalm 92:7)?
This describes a time when "the wicked" (those who are living contrary to God) are so numerous and their numbers are growing fast. They seem to not be afflicted as other men - while flourishing in the health of their bodies and being set in high places of honor and profit. They are easy and many and seem to succeed in their enterprises.
What are the Christians expected to do "when the wicked" "even their enemies and their foes" "come upon them to eat up their flesh" (Psalm 27:2)?
Herein is a time of great danger for the believers. They are in imminent danger from threatened attacks from the "wicked" who purposely come upon them like ravening wolves or hungry lions rushing on their prey. These men of malignant spirits hate the righteous with an implacable hatred and do everything they can to distress and afflict them. They attack them in a hostile manner - intending to strip them of their substance or destroy their lives.
What are the Christians expected to do when "the wicked walk on every side" and "the vilest men are exalted" (Psalm 12:8)?
This is a time when the wicked are everywhere - marching to and fro "on every side"...roaming undisturbed doing evil...going about to do all the mischief they can to the saints...controlling all other men's incomings and out-goings...going up and down seeking to deceive, debauch, and destroy... and declaring their sin as Sodom.
It is a time when the "wicked" go unrestrained... no regard is paid to truth ...falsehood and flattery abound...and honor is done to the worst forms of sin. Instead of putting laws in execution against vice and injustice and punishing the "wicked," these godless ones patronize and protect them - giving them approval or support.
We ask you - Are you living in such "times"? What are the Christians expected to do?
Both Moses and David offer an answer from the Word of God.
Hebrews 11:27 says - "By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible."
Moses "endured" afflictions, reproach, and threats with patience. He withstood with invincible courage under all danger. He persevered amidst all the trials and difficulties. He had a fortified and emboldened heart against all the fears of the greatest, most cruel, and incensed enemies.
How was this possible?
He fixed his eyes on the unseen God. He saw God by faith and with the eyes of his understanding. This became the secret of his strength. This vision raised his soul above the fear of man. The wrath of an earthly sovereign became nothing to him. All the power and princes of Egypt became as nothing to him. The splendors of Pharaoh - a king of mighty power - shriveled into nothingness in the presence of Almighty God.
Psalm 16:8 says - "I (David) have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right side, I shall not be moved."
David regarded himself always in God's presence. He acted as if His eye was upon him. He kept the glory of the Father and the accomplishment of His purpose constantly in view.
Using great pains, he brought the LORD into the foreground and kept Him there. This was not an easy task. It implied a great deal of effort and determination...a fixed will...and an inflexible resistance to and rejection of all hindrances and things that would dare to come between him and God.
Once again, we ask you - Are you living in such "times" -
..."when the wicked rise"
..."when the wicked beareth rule"
..."when the wicked are multiplied" and "transgression increaseth"
..."when the wicked cometh" - bringing "contempt, and with ignominy reproach"
..."when the wicked spring as the grass,
and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish..."
..."when the wicked" "even your enemies and your foes" "come upon you to eat up your flesh"
...when "the wicked walk on every side" and "the vilest men are exalted"?
What are you - as a Christian - expected to do?
You are expected to do as Moses did and fix your eyes on the unseen God - "see Him Who is invisible."
And you are expected to do as David did - make a conscious effort to "set the LORD always before you."
Such a vision is desperately needed in these "perilous times" in which you live.
Such a vision will arm you against all perils... steady your resolve...and make you determined to not yield one jot of your convictions nor cast away any of your confidence.
"Such a sight of God will enable believers to endure to the end whatever they may meet with in the way." (Matthew Henry)
"It is of the greatest importance what that is which is continually before us. That which is constantly in a man's eye must help very largely to shape him." (The Biblical Illustrator)
While "the wicked are rising," who is before your eyes?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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