Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

The Wickedness of the Wicked

The wickedness of the wicked neither sleeps nor slumbers. Even upon their beds they scheme vile things, the very desires of their sinful hearts. They dream not of noble pursuits but of pleasures they deny themselves only for fear of the consequences. If God’s common grace were withdrawn, and this dreamer of wickedness were free to act without restraint, he would quickly see that the man he once thought “good” was only ever restrained by grace undeserved.

“For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.” ~ Proverbs 4:16

Even the wicked benefit from God’s good graces, though they never see fit to give Him praise.

“The greatest misery of the wicked in another world will be that they shall remember that they had once the gospel preached to them, and had the offers of eternal life made to them, and that they refused them.” ~ Jonathan Edwards

The Rest of the Righteous

The saint, however, does not rest his head upon the pillow of sinful desire, but upon the sovereignty of God. His heart delights in the law of the Lord. His meditations and desires are sanctified—and are being sanctified—by the gracious work of God within him. He recognizes grace both in his life and in the world and rejoices. No longer does he hate such grace as his once-rebellious heart did, but now he delights in it, finding peace and comfort in that same grace unmerited.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” ~ Psalm 1:1-2

“The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Exhortation to the Saints

Dear saint, remember God. Delight yourself in Him.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4

“When God gives any man true delight in Himself, He gives that which will more truly satisfy than all the pleasures of sin.” ~ John Owen

Grace and Peace, y’all.

Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan