Day 27: Psalm 32:10

"Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord." ~Psalm 32:10, NLT

Remember how trust is the opposite of fear? Well. The ones who SHOULD be afraid are the wicked, because "many sorrows come to" them. Poor scoundrels...

The thing about "the wicked" is simply that they don't have to be maniacally diabolical to be "wicked". Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "Wicked" is just another way to describe people that are slaves to sin. So if a person has not been freed from sin through Jesus, then they are wicked. Yes, that kind and generous man who just gave his fortune to children in Africa is wicked if he hasn't accepted Jesus in his life. (At least as I understand it...) The only way, the only truth, and the very best life is in Jesus. Otherwise, there's no way they're receiving God's greatest gift.

It seems proper to me that slavers, pirates, and Hitler should experience many sorrows. My inner sense of justice screams at people I deem wicked - murderers, rapists, politicians. (Sorry, politicians. I've yet to see a decent one of you.) There is a part of me that is over-zealous and wants justice, great sorrows and misery to come NOW upon these types of criminals. "Amen!" I cry when I read that verse. "Go get a taste of your own medicine!" But what I don't always realize is that... many sorrows will come upon my friends. Just because they don't know Jesus. (Which is partially my fault, if we get brutally honest about that.) And that, dear reader, is tragic.

The good news is that God promises if we trust Him, He will surround us with unfailing love. Unconditional love. Note that He doesn't say "He will provide utmost comfort and absolutely zero sorrows for those that trust Him." We are guaranteed some degree of discomfort in our lives. But we can and will make it through on His terms of grace. And chances are good that we will come out of our troubles the better for it. Whether or not we immediately see that is another matter. So what would you rather have - a "perfect" life, no troubles but always WORRYING that something bad will happen, or a very "imperfect" life full of troubles and turmoil but always having the confidence that God will come through?

I knew you'd want the confident life! Because you can't really choose the "perfect" life, so you might as well have some certainty, the certainty that God is good all the time.