Psalm 119:150
Psalm 119:150
Psalm 119:150 “Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Your law.”
The word “law” means teaching. Wicked schemes are the opposite of the teachings of God. Those who devise wicked schemes seem always to be successful. In Psalm 10:2 we read, “In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.”
The next few verses say the wicked man blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. Because of his pride, he does not seek God at all. Verse 5 says, “His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him.” We are often upset at the prosperity of the wicked. However, what would be better; to be prosperous and far from the teachings of God, or to be humble and a follower of God?
To fall into the schemes of the wicked does not necessarily mean our material ruin. However, being far from God’s law will ultimately mean our spiritual ruin. The key is discernment. What it teaches us is that not all material blessings are of God. The wicked are often prosperous. First Timothy 6:5 teaches us that godliness does not always result in material gain. “Men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” Friends, the truth is, Godliness only guarantees spiritual gain.
Ephesians 6:11 teaches us, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” The devil has trapped many spiritually weak people under the guise of material success. All the Scripture is teaching us is to put on the whole armor of God so we can discern whether something is of God of or of the devil. David said, in this verse, that the wicked were near and were often successful from a fleshly perspective, but not from a spiritual perspective for they are far from the law of God.
Now let me encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse, as you do; determine that you are not going to go the way of all flesh, but will stick to the teachings of God.
Continued
