A REWARD FOR THE WICKED

• DAY 70
• Fear File: YOU
• Scripture: Psalm 91:8

You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes And witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High]. (AMP)

Who is Wicked

There are three categories of people the bible called wicked. The ones who willfully violate the laws of God; the ones who disregard justice and the ones whose imaginations are continually evil. I know there are a lot more categories you might create but I believe they fall into these even “village people.”

Let’s not forget that before this verse we read that thousands fell on the left and right side but you were exempted. This verse suggests that wickedness sponsored the deaths of those thousands. But God comforts us that they will not go scot-free, their punishment, reward, or judgment awaits them.

When I read this I expect that the wicked will be rewarded harshly and speedily. The way the lines are next to each other makes me assume that immediately after their wicked actions, thunder strikes, a bus hits them, and the ground opens up to receive them (God help me and my active imagination). If you thought or still think like this, you might be disappointed. 

Because It seems that these wicked people tend to live long while good, harmless people are hurt, cheated, broken, and killed daily. And this seemed unfair. And I’m not alone on that thought. The psalmist said

“For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment." Psalm 73:3-5

Why does God decide to allow these unrepentant individuals to enjoy life was what I and this psalmist were asking. But I realized that He does that because He is merciful. God is so patient, kind, and merciful that He extends an olive branch for as long as it takes. He continues to keep a door open to see if they can repent. And this is what made Jonah angry when he went to Nineveh. How could God forgive such evil people? he thought. God did because they repented. However, there are people like the Sodomites who never repent and we know their end. So there is an end to wickedness and evil.

But how will you know it and behold it with your eyes? We see that in Psalm 73:17

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.”

You behold their end in the Secret Place. But it may not look like you imagined. By this I mean that it is not up to you to determine the reward of the wicked, it’s God. Only God decides what will be the reward of the wicked. We cannot be like Jonah that wants to tell God how to reward the wicked. We have to trust that God has a reward for the wicked and that we will see the reward. The reward will be evident, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will meet your expectations. I’m sure the believers in Acts did not expect that Saul’s reward was to become an Apostle Paul. and Saul did not also think that he will suffer as he did for the sake of Christ. I consider all he suffered a reward but if your brother was the Stephen he stoned to death, would you?

Your only role

Leave it up to God and ACCEPT his reward. don’t sulk because that person that bullied you for years is now changed and is living a good life while you’re dealing with post-traumatic disorders, don’t be envious when the woman that always made life in your neighborhood difficult is now living happily in a big estate. Don’t cry when that manager that has been eating half of your salary gets a government appointment. No! Accept that God has a reward for them.

Proverbs 11:21

“Though hand joins in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”

Isaiah 13:11

“Thus I will punish the world for its evil. And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud. And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless”

Ecclesiastes  8:13 

 “But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.”

So if your faith has been affected because of all that you’re going through by some unrepentant wicked people that are in your environment, or if you’re looking at somebody and feeling like, oh, they have it all figured out because they are not with Jesus, and you’re thinking, oh, this is probably what I want to do. You are barking up the wrong tree because the truth of the matter is that they have an end and their end is not pretty.

2 Thessalonians 1:6

“For after all, it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you”

Tell God

Help my heart to trust that not only will you protect me but you will reward those who oppress me.

Shalom