Life In The Future Of The Ungodly

As we examine Psalm 10, we find the word ‘wicked’ used instead of the word ‘ungodly.’ Even though we can interchange the two words, people tend to define each of them differently.

I’ve also found that many don’t like to read about anything ungodly. I’m not sure why. Maybe because the word doesn’t sound encouraging or because it might expose something in them.

So, I challenge you to continue reading about Psalm 10. If for no other reason, God included it in the Bible. Let’s begin by looking at the biblical characteristics of both those wicked and ungodly.

The Characteristics of the Wicked

Fundamentally at odds with God’s nature and commandments.
It encompasses actions and attitudes that violate moral principles and standards.
Wickedness signifies a deep-seated corruption of character and a propensity for evil.
The wicked are often portrayed as those who actively reject God and his authority.

The Characteristics of the Ungodly

The ungodly lack fear or reverence for God.
They refuse to submit to God’s rule and often live in rebellion against His commands.
Ungodly behavior is often associated with moral decay and sinful actions.
The ungodly are frequently marked by pride and arrogance, setting themselves against God.

Due to their characteristics, we can conclude that we can easily interchange them. The purpose of this writing is to shed some light on the truth about those living ungodly lives.

Ungodly people live that way because they choose to. God gave each of us a choice to live as we want. But the Lord will only put up with the ungodly for a season.

Even though things might go well for them now, when they reach eternity, things will drastically change. Many people, however, usually don’t look very far past today.

The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” Psalm 10:4,6

In this Psalm, David’s description of the ungodly paints a picture of how they think and act.

Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats.
Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.
They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people.
They are always searching for helpless victims.
Like lions crouched in hiding, they wait to pounce on the helpless.
Like hunters they capture the helpless and drag them away in nets. Psalm 10:7-9

The Crushing Ungodly

In David’s day, the people he referred to hungered for power. Things haven’t changed much. These same types of people today crave the almighty dollar, which equates to power for them.

In their quest for money, power, and authority, they will step on anyone who stands in their way. Additionally, in this pursuit, they view certain individuals as insignificant or invisible.

Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. Psalm 10:10

They give very little or no thought about God. Our verse for today says some of them believe that God doesn’t exist because He died. Others have a different opinion of Him.

The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us! He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!” Psalm 10:11

Does God care about the ungodly? Absolutely! He created all people. David wondered why these wicked people got away with their evil actions. But then he immediately answered his question.

Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, “God will never call us to account.” Psalm 10:13

We’ve all seen how the ungodly act and how they think. David didn’t like the way the ungodly treated the helpless. He wanted God to do something to punish them.

Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! Psalm 10:12

Let’s turn to the unfortunate truth about those living ungodly lives. God has laid out His plan for all mankind for all eternity. Many will ignore God’s plan or, at best, refuse to take it seriously.

Often, God brings circumstances to point people toward Him. At other times, He has Christians cross their paths to share God’s truth with them. Even then, they continue to look another way.

God Gets the Final Word

Their success, pride, or selfishness will convince them that they need nothing else in this life, especially God. The bottom line, though, rests on the fact that God always has the final word.

The Lord is king forever and ever! The godless nations will vanish from the land. Psalm 10:16

As Christians, we must make sure that ungodliness does not enter into our way of life. If we allow it to, it can spread like a spiritual cancer. The Psalmist asked no mercy for ungodly people.

Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed. Psalm 10:15

He prayed a tough prayer against the ungodly. When they enter eternity, the God they thought was dead will open their eyes. And in His justice, He will pay them for the sins they had committed.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

For us, we must make asking forgiveness a regular habit when we go to the Lord in prayer. Upon teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus included the following two requests as a part of it.

“. . . and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:12-13

Lord, we pray that you would steer us toward forgiving others and away from all temptations. When ungodly people regularly cross our paths, use us to sow the seed of the gospel in them.