Pride and Persecution – Psalm 10:2

“The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised."

The writer of this psalm begins by expressing frustration over what appears to be a lack of action on God’s part to protect the innocent and the poor.   The psalmist identifies pride as the source of the injustice.  “Two things are laid to their charge, pride and persecution, the former the cause of the latter. Proud men will have all about them to be of their mind, of their religion, to say as they say, to submit to their dominion, and acquiesce in their dictates; and those that either eclipse them or will not yield to them they malign and hate with an inveterate hatred. Tyranny, both in state and church, owes its origin to pride.” (Matthew Henry)

None of us experienced the persecution of the early church, or the Inquisition, or as the Protestants in their early struggles.  It is only by understanding the times of such difficult persecutions that we can understand this psalm.  Brothers and sisters, we may be near to seeing this heightened persecution again.  Pride is swelling up in so many aspects of life.  There is pride in skin color, pride in political parties, pride in employment position, pride in religion - including the religion of evolution, pride in elected politicians and non-elected politicians, gay pride, and pride in law enforcement, just to name a few.  Take a moment to consider each of these areas mentioned and then consider the truth in Matthew Henry’s observation of how pride causes persecution.  Pride elevates an individual or a group over others.  Once elevated, this puffed up group has great disdain for anyone who does not concur with or even with concede to their decrees or theories.  That disdain turns to hatred, which drives persecution – in many forms.  “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 13:10)

Is it any wonder that God hates pride?  Pride is the first item on the list of things God hates:  “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”  (Proverbs 6:16-19)

As we read Psalm 10, “let every phrase in this indictment be weighed; it presents as fearful a picture of human wickedness as any contained in the Word of God. It sets before us pride, persecution, device, boasting, ridicule, denial of Providence, hardness, scorn, evil-speaking, defying and denying of God, oppression and crushing of the poor, a glorying in deeds of shame, and expected impunity therein. And what is more trying still is, that God seems to let all this go on, and keeps silence, and stands afar off, and hides himself in times of trouble.” (C. Clemance)

Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us.  He has not hidden and is not standing far off.  It only seems that way sometimes.  Scripture shows us that God cares for His people and will execute judgment against those who oppose them.  “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, ‘who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obediah 1:3)  At the end, this psalmist gives us reassuring words that not a single sin has been missed by God.  Almighty God may delay His actions against the wicked, but it is in His wisdom and for His purposes.  We know our Creator hears our prayers because He says He hears the prayers of the humble and those with a contrite heart.  In these days of rampant pride, times may seem dark and growing darker:  remember that God will ultimately deal with the prideful wicked.  “The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; you will prepare their heart; you will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.”  (Psalm 10:16-18)

“In singing this psalm and praying it over, we should have our hearts much affected with a holy indignation at the wickedness of the oppressors, a tender compassion of the miseries of the oppressed, and a pious zeal for the glory and honour of God, with a firm belief that he will, in due time, give redress to the injured and reckon with the injurious.” (Matthew Henry)

May you grow in the grace and knowledge and delight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Watch! – Mark 13:35-37

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  And what I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

The talk that Jesus gives to His disciples in chapter 13 of the Gospel of Mark is sobering.  There are no promises of prosperity, no promises of a peaceful life.  Jesus told them the temple would be destroyed.  Their questions were “when will these things be?  And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” (Mark 13: 4)  Before Jesus answers them, He gives them a warning: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” (Mark 13:5-6)

Jesus does not give a day, month or year.  He describes the troublesome times to come, involving wars, earthquakes, famines, Christians being arrested and beaten, brother betraying brother, children betraying parents, and much more.  Yet these are only the beginnings of sorrows, they are not yet the sign of all these things being fulfilled.  Next, Jesus goes on to describe the Great Tribulation, the beginning of which is identified by the ‘abomination of desolation’ which will be ‘standing where it ought not’.  Further, of the Great Tribulation, Jesus says “such has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.” (Mark 13:19)  During that Great Tribulation false christs and prophets will show signs and wonders that deceive many people, and if possible, even the elect.  Jesus warns that He has told them of this beforehand, so they will not be deceived.  Next, Jesus says after THAT tribulation, the Great Tribulation, the “sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heaven will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.”  (Mark 13:24-27)

Jesus told them that no one knows the day and hour, but “when you see these things happening, know that it is near – at the doors!” (Mark 13:29)  He gives them the parable of the fig tree to help understand the timing.  The fig tree is representative of Israel.  As J. Vernon McGee says “Israel is God’s timepiece.”  It is the clock we can observe for God’s timetable.  Jesus admonishes His disciples (and us) to “take heed, watch and pray.”  Then He gives the above parable where the doorkeeper is commanded to watch. 

These are not words that help most people sleep at night.  If you read or somehow relate the contents of Mark 13 to others, most people will be anxious about the wars and rumors of wars.  Most people will have fear about earthquakes and famines.  Most people will worry about protecting themselves during this Great Tribulation.  Then again, most people have not surrendered to Jesus Christ.  Most people are not sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Hopefully, you are not like most people.

Jesus says to “watch.”  He says it several times and He says it emphatically.  My question for you is similar to a question posed by J. Vernon McGee, and that is with what attitude do you ‘watch?’  Do you watch with fear and trepidation?  Do you watch with dread over what is coming?  Or do you watch with anticipation so that you are ready for the reign of our Righteous King?

According to scripture, we should watch and not be deceived.  If we watch, take heed, pray, and know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, we will not be fooled by a new or different gospel.  “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons.”  (1 Timothy 4:1)

According to scripture, we should watch and take heed that we are living a godly life.  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?”  (2 Peter 3:10-12) 

According to scripture, we should watch and abide in Him.  “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” (1 John 2:28)

According to scripture, we should watch and increase in our love toward one another.  “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”  (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

According to scripture, we should watch not only with anticipation for the reign of our Righteous King, but all the more vigorously persist in sharing the truth with others.  “For this they willingly forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some county slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:5-9)  Jesus does not want us to be surprised if sharing the truth with others is something that happens during persecution, for His purposes with the persecutors.  “You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.”  (Mark 13:9b)

According to scripture, we should watch and endure.  “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Mark 13:13)  Each of the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3 of (The) Revelation (of Jesus Christ ) include a promise of something from Jesus for “he who overcomes.”  You may find a bit of doubt creeping in about your ability to endure the future that Jesus has described.  Keep in mind this scripture:  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”  (1 John 5:4)  Remember in Whom you believe!

Friends, consider the state of the world.  Can you agree that we are in the beginnings of sorrows?  We have wars and rumors of wars.  There is an increase in the frequency of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.  We are beginning to see new pestilence, and the return of old diseases.  There are many countries that could claim their people are suffering from famine.  We have seen brother betray brother and child betray parent in the killing of Christians.  According to Jesus, none of this is going to get better for the world. 

We are still this side of Heaven so we are not at the end.  But can you say it is ‘at the doors?’  If it is not at the doors, it is very close indeed.  And if Jesus should come suddenly, how will He find you?  Are you sleeping?  Time is short.  We should pray, know the Word of God, and not be deceived.  We should take heed and abide in Jesus and live a godly life.  We should show love toward each other, and love all people in the world so much that we share the truth with them regardless of the repercussions to ourselves.  We should endure, and be urgently witnessing to and praying for those who have not surrendered to Jesus Christ, that they might be saved before Jesus does come like a thief in the night.  After all these things will be fulfilled, it will be too late. 

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.