But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee -Psalms 73:2-22 KJV
Most of us know exactly how the Psalmist felt. We look around and wickedness seems to increase, the darkness seems to be overtaking the light, it feels like we are suddenly on the losing side. But, that is not the truth of the situation. God is still in charge, just as he always has been. The world may mock God, they may try to destroy what is his, but they cannot touch Him. He is still the creator of the universe and he still holds the world in his hands. We are the ones at fault. We are the ones that have taken our eyes off of our God. We are the ones who have become judge and jury. We are the ones who have forgotten to be salt and light. We are the ones who have lost compassion. We are the ones who have forgotten the fate that awaits those who don't trust in God. Like the Psalmist, our hearts should be grieving for the world that is lost. Our conscience should be pricked, we should be crying out for forgiveness and offering compassion. We should be drawing near to the source and pleading for a world that is lost and dying. It is a time of repentance.
