If they see something they like, they go and take it. They do whatever they want.

Beloved, the world we live in has become more and more wicked, and the sinful nature drives the wicked desires which people manifest, as our verse of the day displays.

This, however, is nothing new. One famous example is from the very first earthly family—that of Cain and Abel. God asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad? You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don’t, sin is ready to attack you. That sin will want to control you, but you must control it,” (Genesis 4:6-7).

Ever since the beginning, the enemy was after what God had created, and here, anger is controlling Cain to the point of murdering his brother! The same attack had been launched at Eve, and she gave in to the desire to be like God. Cain desired to be approved by God or for his gift to be accepted like his brother’s gift was accepted.

What is your desire, or what do you want so much that you would do anything for it? Beloved, the Word of God says, “Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you,” (Matthew 7:7).

Today’s verse comes from Asaph’s experiences, expressing frustration and confusion at the success of the wicked people while the good people suffer (Psalm 73:3). He felt like he was losing hope and despairing in his journey of faith. He might have said what we usually hear people say, “The world is not fair.” Of course it would not be fair, because sin corrupted God’s beauty in us and our environment is defiled! However, God is still just, and He will pay each according to their deeds (Psalm 73:18-19,27; Romans 2:6)!

We must make sure that our payment is for deeds of faith so that we may escape the final condemnation (John 3:18). The Psalmist tells us that the wicked have unlimited evil imaginations (Psalm 73:7 in NIV). Be strengthened by God’s Word in the face of the evil we experience daily! “Strengthen yourselves so that you will live your lives here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things that people want to do,” (1 Peter 4:2).

Let us continue to do right. If you see something or hear something evil going on, present it to God and be the light in your community, one day we will be rewarded with crowns of glory for being faithful amid evil (1 Peter 5:4)! Do not give up calling upon God and reading the Scriptures!

Continue to believe and trust God’s promises and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. Be strengthened, beloved, in the power of Christ; He is still God Emmanuel. He is with us, for us, and coming for us soon!

By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa