Good News ... and Bad News (Psalm 145:20)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:20

Today's verse is both incredibly encouraging and tremendously tragic.

"The Lord keeps all who love Him ..." How wonderful are these words? He "keeps the feet of His godly ones" (1 Samuel 2:9). We can be assured that "He who was born of God [Jesus Himself] keeps [those who follow Christ], and the evil one does not touch [them]" (1 John 5:18). Indeed, we are "inscribed" on the palm of our God's hands (Isaiah49:16).

I am so encouraged when I remember how God is with me. How He sustains me. How He carries me as a loving Shepherd carries a lost lamb. How He wants His very best for me.

Then I read the second part of this verse: "But all the wicked He will destroy." I've written before how God is holy and righteous and cannot abide sin. Although He's revealed Himself through creation, through His word, and through the testimonies of the saints, many—countless many—choose not choose to follow Him. They revel in their sin or think they're "good enough," and therefore see no need for a Savior.

Whether they blatantly sin or just believe their good will outweigh their bad, they're wicked in the eyes of God. And one day, when they stand before the Great White Throne, they'll hear, "... depart from me, you who practice wickedness" (Matthew 7:23). They'll be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) and will spend eternity separated from their Creator.

When I read verse like today's, I am encouraged, and I praise God that He keeps me. But the sadness I feel because of the lost makes me want to do all I can to reach them. And all I can do is be available for God to use me as He chooses.