The Fate of the Wicked

"Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;" Psalm 1:5

The Psalmist spends the first part of the Psalm comparing two men, a righteous one and a wicked one. The comparison is stark. One way leads to life, the other to death. All men face this choice, either to trust in the Lord for their salvation or to walk a path that leads to death.

The Psalmist is brings the argument to its logical conclusion - the wicked won't be able to stand with the righteous in God's assembly. The wicked are blown away as the earlier verse states. This is a key to understanding end times theology. The wicked won't be around. They will not be an influence in the Lord's kingdom. They will be gone. The meek shall inherit the earth, as Jesus says.

And this gives us a great sense of hope. Our hope is not in the world being destroyed, but in it being redeemed. The wicked will perish, but the righteous will rule forever with Jesus as our king. He's preparing us according to the Psalmist in sanctifying us through our walk and in this present age. The instruction in Psalm 1:1 is crucial to our preparation. God wants us ready to rule and reign with Him, so he tells us to rely on him for our counsel and relationship. Don't rely on the wicked for friendship or advice, David warns.

God has a bright future prepared for those that trust in Him. We have a hope. He will not be defeated, but he will endure. He will bring about his kingdom on the earth. Our job as his saints, is to pray for His kingdom to come on the earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer - Father, help me to see the importance of our future. The future of the wicked leads to death, but my future is life and that life is found in you. Lord, help me not to fear for the future in spite of living in uncertain times. I know my life here is but a vapor, help me to use it to build up your kingdom and bring you glory. Amen.