Those who are Vexed and Hopeless

Scripture:
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Psalm 112:10

Observation: This psalm of praise begins with extoling the Lord for the blessings he gives to those who worship and believe in him. Verse 10 is the first to focus on the 'wicked', and their interaction with the world is rather specific. They are ... perplexed in a way that leaves them frustrated, exhausted, and longing for more, yet knowing that what they have amounts to nothing.

This is surprisingly accurate. Even when we see "wicked" people who seem to "have it all" by earthly standards - riches, fame, comfort, praise - we see their interaction with the world remain consistent with the attitude of confusion with the world. It isn't just that they champion ill-conceived or even evil concepts, but that they do so for confusing, inconsistent, and misinformed reasons, then become frustrated and angry about certain outcomes or scenarios. The people who "have it all" are always either fighting for more because they don't understand the life they have, or fighting for causes that run inconsistent with the world, and these things they long for are meaningless to God's plan.

Application: As I ponder this ... the manner in which I see celebrities and athletes and big-time executives who live their lives and 'influence' the world to pursue ill-conceived and immoral pursuits ... the more I believe that such people truly are "vexed" by the world. They are confused. They don't understand the truth and the purpose and the plan of the created world, and of the love of the Lord within creation, and therefore get locked into other concepts. They pursue those concepts (riches, celebrity, and 'causes' they can promote) to the point of being angry and frustrated and unhappy because no outcome ever fulfills them.

And all the while they believe one fact ... they will die, everything will end, and nothing they have will be theirs anymore. They will do so much and then it all comes to nothing and is meaningless ... a wise person might describe it as 'vapor' that just is gone.

Yes, I see the wicked who pursue earthly success as operating from a place of confusion, frustration, and vexation ... and hopelessness.

Prayer: Lord, it is hope that gives me every purpose in my life, and you are the only true source of hope in my life. My hope is in you, Lord, as I have faith in your love, in your promises, and in your salvation. Amen.