The Rod of the Wicked…

Relax, we are still safe in the protection of God!

Ps 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

The word ‘rod’ used here means a rod, or a club. How we see the violence of wicked men around the world.

Where I used to live, rarely did a day go by without some sort of shooting or killing. On my street, a mother was simply in her front yard, when some drug crazed nut, rode by on his bicycle, and pulled out a pistol and shot her in the right kneecap. She claims she has never even seen the guy before! Nuts!

Crazy, wicked people, full of violence, dangerous. Why?

Well there are two reason’s really, 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Fierce people, violent, despisers of that which is good are a sign of the age in which we live. People without God in the earth. They are angry in their hearts, because their hearts convict them of their wickedness and self will, their godlessness.

Pr 19:3 ¶ The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

The word used ‘fretteth’ here means ‘to rage’. People doing their own thing, are mad at God, and if you come along, actually serving Jesus and committed to living an obedient, disciplined life, they are going to be mad at you too.

Persecution is not the manifestation of another persons hate for you. It’s a manifestation of Satan’s fear of you.
(Kenneth Copeland)

Relax, read the rest of the verse:

Ps 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

I picture this verse this way: Though angry, violent people, armed with a club, a gun, a knife, want to do violence to me as a servant of the Lord, they cannot, for God Almighty protects me!

Let’s pray:
‘Father, I come before you now, thanking you for your protection, even when I sleep. Ps 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. I believe that as I go about my life, seeking to please you, your angels encamp round about me and my family, church, and possessions, and delivers us, for I ask in your precious name Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Take Away the Wicked from Before the King!

Take away the wicked from before the king!
Pr 25:4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
Psalm 1 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Way of the Righteous
v1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Here is a leadership principal I have not heard preached much.

Eliminate, on purpose, those from your inner circle, who are not walking tight with Jesus, in purity of heart and holiness.

Pr 25: 5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

wick•ed
wɪk ɪdShow Spelled [wik-id] Show IPA adjective, wick•ed•er,
1. evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous: wicked people; wicked habits.

One definition I heard once of wicked, is ‘to be braided with evil’, as in how a candle wick is braided to absorb more oil.

There are people who live, on purpose, by principals contrary to the word of God. They are morally bad in principal and practice.

If we are called to be the senior decision maker in our organization, these people need to out of our sphere of counsel. Though we may be called to provide leadership to them, they should not be allowed into leadership meetings, nor can we allow ourselves to become too friendly or buddy buddy with them, or they will corrupt our decision making ability, and our decisions…

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters”

― Albert Einstein

Psalm 141:4 (The Voice)
Don’t allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is wrong or associating with wicked people Or joining in their wicked works or tasting any of their pleasures.
A Leadership prayer!
Or what about the apostle Paul?
2 Thessalonians 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Man looks on the outward, God looks upon the heart.
Wisdom is not enough!
Solomon received great wisdom, yet not purity of heart!
His wisdom got him 1000 wives, and cost him the kingdom, and brought incredible destruction to Israel.
Psalm 72:1
[ Psalm 72 ] [ A song of Solomon. ] True God, bestow Your honest judgments upon the king and anoint the king’s son with Your righteousness
Let’s Pray!
‘Father, again I cry out for purity of heart, mind, soul, motive! Deliver me from unreasonable and wicked men, and establish me in the fullness Your high calling Lord Jesus, Amen!’