Young Adults' Group

Focusing On God In The Midst Of Wickedness

by Pastor Mark
June 21, 2018

The problem of the wicked

We live in a world that is wicked. It is a problem that has existed from ancient times. Even from the days of King David, wickedness was widespread in the world. The Lord gave to David an oracle to help him understand the nature of wickedness and how to deal with it. (Ps 36:1)

Some of the things that the Lord revealed was that those who are wicked have no fear of God. They do not have any respect or reverence for God. They seek to flatter themselves in their own eyes. The words that come out their mouths are full of wickedness and deceit. (Ps 36:2,3) How did David cope with this problem of wickedness?

The profundity of God

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.” (Ps 36:5–6)

In contrast to the wickedness of man, David sought to focus on the attributes of God. There were 4 attributes of God that David highlighted. God is a merciful God. His mercy is as vast as the heavens. And His faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

God is also a God of righteousness. His righteousness is as great as the mountains. How deep are the oceans? That is how deep the judgments of the Lord are. We have a great and amazing God, yet He seeks to specially look out for both humans and animals…to preserve them. This is the profundity of the being of God.

The preciousness of the lovingkindness of God

Another attribute that David highlighted was the lovingkindness of God. He described the lovingkindness of God as something most precious. “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!” (Ps 36:7) Why is the lovingkindness of God so precious? This is seen in how God’s lovingkindness is expressed. He gives protection to the children of men as a mother bird protects its young in the shadow of its wings. (Ps 36:7)

God’s lovingkindness is also shown by the giving an abundance of satisfaction like a house that has fullness of things. (Ps 36:8) There is also much joy as God is a wonderful source of life and light in this world of darkness. (Ps 36:9) Let us appreciate the lovingkindness of God.

A prayer to God

As David faced the reality of the wicked, he responded in prayer. What did David pray for?

“Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” (Psalm 36:10) He prayed for the continued outpouring of God’s lovingkindness and righteousness. When David was hated by others, he prayed for the Lord’s lovingkindness to fill his heart. When there were those who would do evil against him, he prayed for the Lord’s righteousness to be his…that he would seek to continue to walk in righteousness. Let us be challenged to pray to our loving God as David did.

As we seek to live in this world of wickedness, let us be challenged to focus on how profound our God is, who specially seeks to preserve us. Let us pray for God to continue to love us and to keep us in His righteousness.

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