A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked. – Psalm 91: 7-8
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked. – Psalm 91: 7-8
Today’s Reading: Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13
This is my favorite psalm.
It has everything: beautiful writing, a great and uplifting message, quotable verses, and so much more.
But the passage above is always the one that stops me in my tracks. “Only with YOUR eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.” This is just so ridiculously true for me.
It is easy to get discouraged when you look at other people to determine the quality of your life.
When I make the mistake of looking at others in this way I tend only to see the best parts of their lives. I don’t see their struggles and pain, nor their not so great relationships and hardship. I see the money they’ve got. I see the position or status that they have attained. I see in them whatever I perceive to be lacking in me.
And this makes me think; do we ever truly see others for who they really are?
I’m not so sure.
I know that I have a tendency to look at the world through the lens of my own experiences. This is so damaging because that lens is never clean. It is impossible to see clearly what lies before you. And the lens changes with my mood. When I’m happy I can see how I’m better off than others. When I’m not I see how others are better off than me.
All of this can be summed up with one word: Insecurity.
It is insecurity that makes us look outward instead of within. The most secure and confident moments of my life were when I didn’t care what anyone thought. I just lived freely acting in the truth that only God can judge me.
Have you ever had a moment like that? A moment of freedom where you did something that you would normally not do. Maybe you got up and sang karaoke, or danced at your wedding. Maybe you started your own business or left a job for an opportunity that would truly make you happy.
When we can reach that level where our actions are governed only by God and our hearts desires then we know that we have arrived at a special place.
It is a place of victory, where even if a thousand fall at one side, and ten thousand at the other side; you will still be there standing tall on the firm foundation of your faith.
That’s where I’m headed. I hope to see you there with me some day.
Insecurity is a weird thing. It is created and given.
ReplyDeleteOne can create it personally by doubting their own strengths and abilities. By allowing themselves to be influenced by the negativity of others. By looking for personal definition in the eyes of others.
One can be "given" insecurity by those we care for greatly being reluctant or unwilling to share of themselves. By being told a need for closeness is perceived as invasive. By being told repeatedly my ways are so much better than yours yet I still put up with yours.
In both cases, seeds of negativity and insecurity are being planted. And in both cases negativity and insecurity will be the end result received.
Admittedly, some of my best moments have been those times when I have relied on no one but myself for confidence. I can say though they weren't always the most satisfying. There is a beauty in achieving planned goals with the support and security of others that you feel close too, at your sides.
Hello Man of God, I see something a little different when I look at this particular passage. I don't see the victory in the wicked because the "only" reward of the wicked is death and destruction.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they may have good things in their lives, that's only because the mercy of God is for everyone (including haters of God).
This scripture is likened to those enemies who are close and involved in your life in some manner or another. Yet no matter how close they are, you will only see with your eyes their destruction. You won't feel it, it won't hurt you, or touch you.
bottom line: When God rewards the wicked its not a good thing, and no you don't want to be anywhere near it when it goes down. Just saying. :)
Blessings
@Alegria I agree with the majority of what you said. Your point about how insecurity can be given is very instructive and something I am meditating on.
ReplyDeleteI think i may have given the wrong impression though. I was not trying to suggest that we shouldn't rely on others. Actually there is nothing that is accomplished in this world without the contributions of at least two people...
Where I take issue is in depending on others to determine our value. That's really what I was getting at. When we seek to define ourselves outside of God and outside of ourselves then there is a problem.
@Nicole I see that perspective too! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDelete