The Wicked are on Slippery Ground

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm. 73:2-3 NIV

In a story published last week following the unprecedented winter storm that blanketed the southern part of our country with snow and ice, it was reported that several people were frustrated that the Charleston Half Marathon was cancelled last Saturday because of the conditions of the route. Runners Elisabeth Wiebe and Hannah Smith were two of the runners affected by the cancellation leading Wiebe to day, “Yeah, we’ve been training for a while. Like I live here, and Hannah lives in Memphis, but we’ve been training for a long time and wanted to do it together. So it was a little upsetting, but obviously with the snow and everything it’s better to be safe, so we understand.” Despite the road condition warnings though, Smith and Wiebe ran the route on race day with some other runners and said, “We almost fell…there was black ice and I didn’t see it.”

And, you know, when it comes to almost falling because of things we ‘didn’t see’, the psalmist said that his feet “had almost slipped” when he “envied the arrogant” and “saw the prosperity of the wicked.” The psalmist further expressed his struggle  (Psalm 73) with being jealous of the prosperity of those who chose not to follow God because they appeared to have no financial struggles and looked as though they were free from common human burdens and ills. The inequity he viewed in the world nearly tempted the psalmist to follow their ways until he reminded himself that those who chased after the world were far from the Lord. Which meant that any wealth and good health they enjoyed in this world was only temporary… especially when they were compared to the eternal riches God gives all those who remain faithful and desire nothing but Him. 

So, remember that keeping your heart pure is never done in vain my friend. It may appear at times that the wicked are prospering and have no problems, but you can be sure that’s only the way it ‘appears.’ The wicked never truly prosper in this world or the next because they have no real peace and never have true contentment the way a believer does. Which means the wicked will eventually slip and lose their foothold… but those who trust in Christ will never fall because they have their feet on solid ground. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that no matter how it may appear, only the righteous truly prosper in this world since riches and recognition can never fill the void that You were designed to fill. Lord, help us to find our sole contentment in You so we won’t slip on the world’s black ice. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!