Understanding the Reality of Wickedness: Insights from Psalm 10
Key Takeaways
Acknowledging the Reality of Wickedness: The world is inherently broken, full of wickedness and suffering, and this must be confronted head-on, not ignored.
Divine Justice vs. Human Wickedness: The belief that God will hold the wicked accountable and punish them appropriately, ensuring justice prevails.
God’s Unfailing Compassion: Despite the presence of wickedness, God does not forget the afflicted but is deeply concerned about their suffering and well-being.
The Reality of Wickedness in Our World
Introduction
Understanding the pervasive wickedness in the world, the prospering of the wicked, and the suffering of the afflicted are themes poignantly addressed in Psalm 10. Pastor Sam Kraemer of Harvest Liberty Lake Church delves into these complexities, reminding us of God's promise to hold the wicked accountable and His unfailing compassion for the afflicted. This exploration is not just a biblical study but a pressing call to acknowledge and respond to the real-world implications of these profound truths.
Human Wickedness Is Rampant and Escalating
Acknowledging the Specific Acts of Wickedness
Psalm 10 starkly lays out the reality of wickedness, describing the actions of the wicked in great detail. As Pastor Sam articulates:
"The wicked live as if there is no God… In arrogance, the wicked hotly pursue the poor. Let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desire of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord" (0:03:44).
This captures the essence of the wicked person's mindset: living without regard for divine accountability, their actions unchecked and escalating from arrogance and oppression to deceit and even murder. The pastor poignantly notes:
"They truly begin to believe that there is no coming judgment. They have gotten away with so much and nothing has happened. So what is to stop them from doing even more?" (0:18:06).
The Consequences of Practical Atheism
Pastor Kraemer introduces the concept of “practical atheism,” explaining how people might believe in God theoretically but live as though He does not exist. This lifestyle leads to unchecked sinful behavior:
"You may claim that there is a God, but you do not live as if there is one. You are master of your own domain, king of your own kingdom, and you live and give in to every desire and thought of your own heart" (0:10:14).
The broader implication here is profound—unchecked evil impacts not just individuals but societies, leading to a world where injustice and suffering become the norm. This understanding compels us to recognize the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine intervention.
God’s Impending Judgment: A Necessary Assurance
The Surety of Divine Justice
Pastor Kraemer emphasizes the certainty of divine justice, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments. Referencing Psalm 10 and Revelation 20, he underscores:
"The Christian knows that God has his notebook open, and he's taking note of every act of mischief or vexation or iniquity, that our sin can never be hidden from God" (0:25:23).
This assurance is critical. While the wicked may seem to prosper now, their actions are recorded, and divine judgment is inevitable. Revelation 20:12-13 adds depth to this, detailing the final judgment where every deed is accounted for:
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened… And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done" (0:28:43).
The Reality of Hell and Eternal Punishment
The discussion moves into the often uncomfortable doctrine of hell and eternal punishment. Pastor Kraemer argues that understanding the severity of divine judgment enhances our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice:
"When you look at the cross, what you must realize is Christ absorbed all that torment, all that torture that should be righteously put upon you for your offense towards God" (0:34:19).
Ignoring or downplaying this doctrine not only belittles God's holiness but the magnitude of Jesus’s redemptive work. This profound reality challenges us to live with a greater awareness of the stakes involved in human wickedness and divine justice.
God’s Compassion for the Afflicted
The Assurance of Divine Sympathy and Rescue
Despite the grim picture of human wickedness, Psalm 10 offers hope by highlighting God's empathy for the afflicted. Pastor Kraemer reassures us with multiple verses from the psalm:
"Verse 14 says, but you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hand. The idea is the wicked think that God does not see what they are doing. But the Christian knows that God has his notebook open, and he's taking note of every act" (0:25:23).
This assurance is not passive; it’s an active, empathetic engagement. Jesus Himself embodies this divine compassion. Pastor Kraemer reflects on Isaiah 53:3-5:
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities" (0:37:30).
Christ's life and sacrifice serve as the ultimate demonstration that God not only sees but deeply cares about human suffering. This understanding offers immense comfort and a reminder of God’s unfailing support.
A Call to Compassionate Evangelism
The themes discussed lead naturally to a call for compassionate evangelism. Recognizing the brokenness of the world and the certainty of divine judgment, Christians are urged to share the gospel actively:
"As a church planted here locally in this neighborhood, my heart is for those in Liberty Lake, in the greater Spokane area, who seem to be comfortable, who seem to be not concerned with the consequences of their disbelief and rejection of God" (0:23:43).
Evangelism becomes an urgent mission, motivated by the realities of wickedness and divine justice. Pastor Kraemer closes by aligning this mission with the church’s broader mission statement, drawn from Matthew 9:35-38:
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest field" (0:44:09).
This reinforces the urgent need for believers to act, sharing the hope and salvation offered through Christ.
Revisiting Psalm 10 challenges us on multiple fronts. It compels us to acknowledge the pervasive and escalating nature of human wickedness, reassures us of God’s inevitable and righteous judgment, and offers the comfort of divine empathy and rescue. Living in this tension, we are called to compassionate evangelism, sharing the profound hope in Christ with a world deeply in need. This dual focus on justice and mercy encapsulates the gospel's transformative power, urging believers to live faithfully in anticipation of Christ's return and final restoration.
