A little boy was telling his Grandma how “everything” was going wrong—school, family problems, severe health problems, etc.  Meanwhile, Grandma was baking a cake.  She asked the child if he would like a snack, which of course he did. 
“Here, have some cooking oil.” 
“Yuck,” said the boy.
“How about a couple raw eggs?”
“Gross, Grandma.”
“Would you like some flour then?  Or maybe baking soda?”
“Grandma, those are all yucky!”
To which Grandma replied, “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!”
God works the same way.  Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times.  But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!  We just have to trust Him, and eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
 
 

Eighty-five murders—someone had to pay! This is the story behind our psalm for today. The background is in 1 Samuel 21,22. Doeg, an Edomite, was one of the servants of King Saul. He observed the priest, Ahimelech, when he assisted David and his men. Later, he betrayed Ahimelech by telling the story to Saul, who immediately ordered the murder of the priests who had helped David. Saul’s men were afraid to obey him, so Doeg was given the order. He proceeded to kill eighty-five of them. Then, he went through the city committing many more atrocities. 

It was in light of this evil that David wrote Psalm 52 (according to the heading in our Bibles). It is no wonder that it is fitting to give this article the title that I have given it—

Lovers of Sin: BEWARE!

Let us read the whole poem and then study its five divisions. 

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah 
You love all devouring words, 
You deceitful tongue. 
God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, And uproot you from 
the land of the living. Selah 
The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness." 
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. 

1. A GOOD QUESTION (52:1).
The question in the first part of verse one is especially meaningful in light of the claim in the second part of the verse—since the goodness of God is continual, it is always foolish to boast in evil! This question would be a good one to place on billboards all over the world today; given the fact that we live in a time when nearly all evils are the boastful foundations of so many lives.

AN EVIL TONGUE (52:2-4).

The boasting of verse one is more easily understood by understanding the evils that lead to such sinful language (sins of the tongue). The thinking of these evil ones is in verse 2, the love of these evil ones is in verse 3, and the combination of such evils is in verse 4. Their thinking includes the devising of destruction, deceitfulness, and razor-sharp words. Their love is for evil MORE THAN for good; lying RATHER THAN righteous words. Thus, their deceitful love is constantly heard from their mouths. In the story that prompted this psalm, Doeg and Saul were “excellent” examples of these things.

3. A CERTAIN RESULT (52:5).

The author affirms that these ultra-evil ones shall be destroyed forever, taken away, plucked out, and uprooted. This will involve themselves, their dwelling places, and the “land of the living.” Let us remember that the persons who were involved were Doeg (an Edomite), and Saul (the king who had already forfeited everything). The end of the Edomites, and the downfall of the house of Saul are two clearly documented tragedies in the Bible. Yes, my fellow student of Psalm 52, this verse did come to pass for them, and it will come to pass for you and me if we follow a similar path.

4. A RIGHTEOUS OBSERVATION (52:6,7).

The observation in this section is from the soul of the righteous. It involves that holy satisfaction that evil and its servants simply cannot get away with it after all! They will not win! THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT RIEGNETH (Revelation 19:6). The evil man refused to make God the root of his life—he chose to trust in his earthly abundance.  And he lost (see Matthew 6:25-34). Strengthening oneself in wickedness only has a temporary show of power, for there is no root of sin that cannot be ultimately and totally overcome by the strength of the God of hosts.

5. A PERSONAL APPLICATION (52:8,9).

David was later grieved at the downfall of Saul (2 Samuel 1). But he did not miss the lesson of reaping and sowing. He observed the wickedness of others—even many whom he loved with all of his heart—and he learned to lean even more upon the God Whose principles led to their untimely reaping. Four times in these last two verses, David says, “I.” He made some very personal applications of these events to himself. He knew the source of true strength was the “house of God.” He knew that “life forever” was based on the mercy of God. He knew that this ought to lead to a perpetual praise offered to God. He knew that God had His way in all of this, and that it was truly wise for him to decide to wait on God in light of all of this.

Are you and I willing to make such personal applications to think right, love right, and live right—even when the lessons are taught through the downfall of those who are the closest to us?

Are you and I willing to see that the time to think on these things is now—and that we simply must face our own accountability immediately so that our eternity is not ruined as a result of wasting this one short life in the love of sin?

If we can help you to learn and do the will of God, please contact us.  We are available, we are willing, and God is able through His word to lead you to the paths of righteousness.
  — Skip Andrews
 
 

Next week: Psalm 53: 
 
 
“The fool said WHAT??”
 

  SICK LIST:   John, Lena, and Rita Pate and Sheri McAfee were ill Sunday.  Steve Fishel, father of the Grubb’s daughter-in-law, has been diagnosed with cancer.  April Meacham’s grandmother has a blood clot and is not doing well.  Donna Fields is struggling with her battle with cancer.  Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.
ALL GROUPS:  Volunteers from all groups are asked to help with the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.
SEEKING THE LOST:  Thursday—7:30.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Tuesday at 10:00.
BABY SHOWER:  There will be a shower to honor Katrece Howard Sunday, May 7, at 2:00.  All the ladies are invited.  It’s a girl!
FOR THE RECORD:  
AM Class                   139 
AM Worship              180 
PM Worship              129 
Wednesday Class      101 
Contribution           $5936 
Budget                   $6500
COVERED DISH DINNER:  Everyone is invited to stay for our fellowship meal following morning services.  Group 4 will host.  TEACHERS’ MEETING: Immediately following our meal at noon,  all who are interested in our teaching program are asked to stay for a meeting concerning our curriculum change.  We will begin using “Engraving Heavenly Truths.”
GRADUATES:  Canon Callender (Duluth) and Wes Hatchett (Greater Atlanta Christian) will graduate high school this year.  Tish Callender will graduate Valdosta State University May 10.  We congratulate these young people and pray they will be successful and faithful to God the rest of their lives.
BIBLE CAMP:  Please turn in your registration forms to Lynn or Helen.