Do not wish to succeed as the wicked

Success is the desire of all sensible individuals. People view success from different angles. What some people or tribes or nations or groups may consider as success may differ in wealth, aspiration, awareness, values and expectation. Morally, there is a scale to true definition of success.

Someone said: “Cultural perceptions of success differ globally, influencing how people pursue happiness. In some cultures, success means wealth and status, while in another, it is about community or personal growth. These perceptions impact individuals’ goals, priorities and sense of fulfillment.”

It is believed that David wrote the thirty-seventh chapter of Psalm in his old age. Psalm borders on righteousness, justice and apparently on the prosperity of the wicked compared to the struggles of the righteous.

Psalm and the words of God today is to encourage and remind believers in God to remain faithful even in the face of challenges and difficulties; reassuring them of God’s care, love and deliverance.

Nigeria today: The realities of economic hardship in the country is no more news. For instance, the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that used to be N165 per litre, now costs N1,500 per litre. Likewise the costs of other items such as bag of rice, which used to sell at N35,000, now goes for N105,000. Then, egg that used to be N50 per one, now costs N200.While a crate of egggoes from N5,200as against N1, 200.

Aside this, transportation has also gone up. For example, places where commuters used to payN500, today it is alarming to know that it has gone up toN3, 000; meanwhile, not many families can afford three square meals a day.Things have gone up astronomically with no commensurate income to cushion the effect of hardship experienced by Nigerians.These realities are here with us, but what shall we do? Who shall we run to? Which way shall we navigate? We may not be able to answer these questions. The essence of this message is not really to proffer solutions or suggest answers to these bothering questions, but to put our whole trust in God despite the abnormalities in policies and polity.

These could make even the best of morally sane person to lose moral sanity not to talk about those already with depraved tendencies. Jesus in his eschatological exegesis did mention (New International version): “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”

New Living Translation: “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”English Standard Version: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Berean Standard Bible: “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most willgrow cold.” Berean Literal Bible: “And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.”

King James Bible: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” New King James Version: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” New American Standard Bible: “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.”

Theseare the realities of today; wickedness is everywhere even the Church is not spared. Please, I will not bother you with who is a wicked person; I may not also take our time to explain the meaning of wickedness for we all know what it is. It is veryunfortunate that wickedness and evil are gradually becoming a way of life to the extent that the wicked struggle to differentiate between good and evil; hence they look alike.

This Psalm clearly points to the actions and acts of the wicked:
• They bring wicked scheme to pass and prospers in it (vs. 7).
• They plot against the just (vs. 12).
• They gnash at the just with their teeth (vs.12b).
• They laugh at the just (vs. 13).
•They draw the sword and bent their arrows against the righteous (vs. 14).
Their Target And Mission Are:
•Cast down the poor and needy.
•To slay the upright in conduct.
•For their riches to be many (vs. 16).
•They borrow and do not pay (vs. 21).
•They monitor the righteous and seek for ways to slay them (vs. 32)
•For the wicked to be in great power (vs. 35).
•For him to spread his connection very well (vs. 35).
God’s Consolation To The Righteous Are Clearly Stated:
•They will soon be cut down like grasses; cut off (vs. 2; 9)
•They shall wither as green herb (vs. 2).
•They shall not last forever (vs.10).
• The Lord will laugh at the wicked to their doom (vs. 13).
•The doom day of the wicked is coming (vs. 13).
•They shall be cut off by nemesis (vs. 15).
•The little of the righteous is far better than the great riches of the wicked (vs. 16).
•Their arms and authority shall collapse one day (vs. 17)
•The wicked shall parish (vs. 20).
•They shall vanish away (vs. 20b).
•The offspring of the wicked shall be cut off (vs. 28).
•They shall pass away (vs. 36).
•They shall be destroyed (vs. 38).
What Should Be The Joy Of The Righteous?
•The Lord shall grant him the desires of his heart (vs. 4).
•The ways of the just shall be brought to pass (vs. 5).
•Their righteousness shall come to light (vs. 6).
•There is an earthly inheritance for the righteous (vs.11, 18, 22, 29).
•They shall have abundance of peace (vs.11b).
•The little of the righteous increases with peace (vs. 16).
•The lord shall uphold the righteous (vs. 17).
•God orders his steps (vs. 23).
•Even when the righteous falls, he will rise again(vs. 24).
• His descendant will never beg (vs. 25-26).
•He is never forsaken (vs. 28, 32-33).
• His future is peaceful (vs. 37).
•God is the strength of the righteous (vs. 39).
•God will help him and deliver him (vs. 40).

What God Expects From The Righteous In A Time Like This
•Do not envy the wicked, do not love their ways (vs. 1)
Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector,Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)

•Trust in the Lord (vs. 3, 5).
•Delight yourself in the Lord always (vs. 4).
•Commit your ways to God; live a life of prayer (vs. 5).
• Rest in the Lord (vs 7).
•Cease from emotional slavery (vs. 8).
•Depart from evil (vs. 27)
•Wait on the Lord (vs. 34).
In summary, do not give attention to what you see the wicked has achieved, they are temporal. Trust God for a better tomorrow even in doing right; it must not be through evil means. Let your delight be in the Lord at all times. Commit your ways to God in prayer and fasting, do not let your emotion rule your sense of judgment, and stay away from whatever that is evil and you shall be blessed of the Lord.
• Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector,Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)