Consequences

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. 

Psalm 32:10 

There are consequences for every action. We may consider ourselves to be free to make decisions, but we are not free from the consequences of those decisions. The effects may not be immediate, or even immediately apparent, but they are real and impact us in ways we cannot anticipate. Our text is a plain statement about the consequences of our decisions and actions. There are two groups, ‘the wicked, and he who trusts in the LORD.’ This is the baseline division of humanity. The one group chooses to follow a particular course of life which excludes God. The other group follows God, most specifically Christ, Who is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His Person. In a de facto way, Christ is the Continental Divide of all humanity. Over Christ humanity divides to go one direction or the other. The net result, according to our text is either many sorrows, or being surrounded by mercy. This is both temporal and extends into eternity. The consequence of either ignoring or opposing God brings sorrow. The consequence of trusting in God is to receive an abundance of mercy. Thus Christ is the path to peace, blessedness, and good. Christ is the answer to what is the good life. He is much more than that, but to stay with our text, to trust Christ is the way to receive an abundance of mercy.   

Our God of Grace and Mercy, 
we rejoice that You have set before us what is good. 
We praise You that Christ is our great example. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning