2 In his arrogance the wicked man… 5 His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. 6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble." 7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. 8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. 9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. 10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. 11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

It is interesting how human nature never changes. We live in what we call a modern, enlightened society. We feel we have reached heights that no other civilization has ever attainted. Yet, in all of our learning we are basically the same as mankind of 3000 years ago. Dr. Ed Harrell, a social historian, once said that every generation suffers from an acute egotism, believing they have risen above every generation that preceded them.

It is in this setting that the Psalmist says of the “wicked man” that he thinks he is above God. He has no regard for his fellow man and is only interested in what he can get out of the deal. He is motivated by self-gratification and greed. He takes advantage of those who are less fortunate and who do not have the social skills or power to defend themselves. He believes himself to be above the laws of God and man.

Does this not sound much like the society we are in today? Peter tells us that there were those in his day who had this same attitude. However, he goes on to say that they fail to understand that God is just being patient and giving these very people the opportunity to come to repentance. He then says that they fail to recognize that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. He does not say that it might come but that it will come because the Lord has promised it. We can ignore God or we can scoff him but it will not change the fact that he is God and that we will one day stand before him in judgment. “Now is the acceptable time, today is the day of salvation.”

O God, please help me to know that your promises never fail. Help me to live each day with the realization that I will stand in judgment before you and give an account of my life here on earth. I ask for greater faith that I may trust you more and wisdom that I will better live for you. Forgive my pride and egotism and help me humbly accept your will each day. Open my heart so that your Spirit may live in me. I pray in the name of Jesus.

May God bless each of us as we humbly live for him today.