THE HERITAGE OF THE GODLY – “BE NOT ENVIOUS OF THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY”

People get fascinated by power and all what it can get done. Power is a very attractive and alluring intoxicant. The high one gets from it is something that, nothing else can give. Apart from the high, people love to gather around the powerful ones. They get drawn into their intoxicating circle, precisely because of the power it holds, and all what it can get done in a jiffy. This element of power is the key for people to ignore any and every moral, legal and ethical issues concerning the powerful person and his methods of getting the work done. Epstein files, which is the hot button topic these days, is exactly that. People were terribly attracted to the power this man held in his hand. He could arrange someone to visit White House, the official residence of the President of USA, just by a simple email. Now that is “real” power. So who wants to care about what else he does? It doesn’t matter. It is none of my business. It is shameful and disguising even to mention all what he was doing for the who’s who in the world; and all of them were gleeful, eager and willing participants in the wicked, evil and abominable orgies, and what not.

The LORD God Almighty, the God of the Bible, the Creator of the universe, has something to speak to us on the subject of power, immorality, unprincipled and unethical behaviour, despite wielding immense power and sway over almost anything, and in almost the entire world. Well, what the Bible says is simple and straight, as the Word of God is always.
– “​1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.” – Psalm 37:1-2

Let us meditate on the second part of verse one, for our meditation this morning – “BE NOT ENVIOUS OF THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY.” The call to a Christian is clear and unambiguous. There is no scope for any confusion, nor any room for misunderstanding. We are called NOT TO ENVY THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY, FOR THEY ARE THE VERY PERSONIFICATION OF EVIL. 

When one is envious of something, it simply means, we are deeply fascinated by that WORKER of INIQUITY, and are wantonly desiring that power for ourselves; or at least want to benefit from such power, despite the obvious immorality and wickedness. This is like looking at Lucifer, and wanting to be like him, because he holds such “immense” power, despite being an evil person to the very core, and has no desire whatsoever, nor any intention to repent of his sin – not even an iota of desire to repent and reconcile with God Almighty, his Creator. Can we see what the LORD is trying to drill into us?
– “31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. 33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” – Proverbs 3:31-33
– “17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:17-18
– “​1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.” – Proverbs 24:1-2

Dear brothers and sister we live in a highly compromised world. The Church is no good. We don’t seem to mind at all, to mix and match, “the best of the both worlds,” in conducting our Christian life. Would we say no to Prince Andrew, the younger brother of Charles, the King of UK, who is one of those in the now infamous files, if he expressed his desire to visit our home? Have we not seen the leaders of the church, trying to outdo each other in wooing, pampering and falling prostrate at the feet of the powerful leaders, successful business people, and the rich and the influential people, if ever they expressed their desire to attend the Church service, despite knowing that they are not clean and morally upright? I have seen many such people. Now tell me, to whom do such people owe their allegiance? To the LORD Jesus Christ, our LORD and our Redeemer? I leave that to you to decide. 

May the LORD Jesus, when He returns, find us to be His good and faithful servants, doing precisely what the LORD had asked of us. Even so, the LORD help us.