Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devises that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth” (Psalm 10:1-3).

Every Christian at one time or another has felt like this. Bad things happen and we cry out to God, “Where are You?” The psalmist is ranting against the wicked who boast about their evil and who condone greed. These are things that God “abhorreth.” This psalm wasn’t signed, but was most likely written by David. Such ungodly ways were not David’s ways and he certainly would have been outraged that such a man seemed to prosper. There are some who feel that it was written about Saul. Perhaps, but it’s still true today.

We can look around us and see wicked people, even our government leaders, who seem to prosper but never give God the glory. Not only do they not give Him the glory, but they arrogantly deny He exists. Like many of the psalms, this one begins with a cry of distress. As I read this I can feel the emotions that must have prompted this outcry, especially looking at the leadership in America. Prideful, greedy, and mocking the true God while worshipping a false Satanic god.

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4).

Christians must be careful. As we point our finger at wicked people, we need to ask ourselves if we are like them. The wicked will not seek after God, but what about us? Brethren, is God in all your thoughts? On Sunday morning you sit in a pew with your fellow believers, but what is your behavior on Monday morning with your co-workers? Do you laugh at the off-color jokes and take pleasure in listening to the weekend exploits of the unsaved? It’s easy to see the guilt of others, but that should cause us to examine ourselves more closely.

The apostle Peter admonished, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18).

Christ needs to be our example in all we do. If we forget to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him we can be led astray by the wicked. The psalmist has more to say about the wicked.

“His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity” (Psalm 10:5-7).

These wicked are all around us, and Christians are their enemy. They are self-confident, full of pride in their own accomplishments, their language is vulgar, and they lie to get their way. Politicians and movie stars come to mind as I read this, but anyone can fit the description. Why do they “puffeth” (sneer) at us? Born-again believers remind the wicked of their sin. Our very existence reminds them of God and they don’t want to be reminded.

Sadly, in many cases they see a double standard by those who say, “I am a Christian” but live worldly lives that deny Christ. Again I am drawn to Peter’s words warning against “being led away with the error of the wicked.” When you look in the mirror do you see Christ reflected there, or a wicked man who is not growing “in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” If we stray from God’s Word it is easy to stray from God.

“He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones” (Psalm 10:8-10).

The only way to describe this guy is wicked. He is sneaky and preys upon the less fortunate. Jesus was challenged by a scribe to give the first commandment of all:

“And Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these’” (Mark 12:29-3).

The wicked man described by the psalmist has broken both of these commandments. He does not love God nor does he love his fellow man…he only loves himself.

“He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it” (Psalm 10:11).

This wicked man is described in earlier verses as not seeking after God and that God is not in all his thoughts, yet he does know that God exists. He denies him through his words and deeds, but arrogantly thinks God doesn’t see his sin. He has deceived himself. There will come a day when all of his wickedness will no longer be hidden. God does not hide His face from sin.

[Jesus said,] “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops” (Luke 12:2-3.)

Christians need to remember that God sees what we do and hears our thoughts. It is imperative to keep our thoughts continually on Jesus and seek after His ways. Never deceive yourself into thinking that God will not see what you do.

“Now the psalmist turns from his anger and accusations against the wicked man and turns his thoughts to God. “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble” (Psalm 10:12).

This is a plea for God to protect the humble against the wicked. Are Christians turning to God in prayer and supplication, asking Him to protect the innocent people who are being abused by the wicked? If we all fervently prayed for those persecuted in Muslim nations and China, could our prayers make a difference? I believe so. We need to seek God’s protection. God will take vengeance:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

This means it isn’t our place to take revenge against the evildoer. God will fully repay the crime. We aren’t to sit back and watch as someone is being attacked, but it isn’t our place to seek revenge.

“Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it” (Psalm 10:13).

This is a simple question which the psalmist answers himself. The word “contemn” means to spurn or renounce. The reason he spurns God is that he says in his heart that God won’t care. What does God say about the heart?

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

This wicked man, and all others like him, will reap what he sows.

“Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none” (Psalm 10:14-15).

“Now, the psalmist is resting in God’s wisdom. He knows that God sees the wrongs done by wicked people who are inspired by Satan to do evil.” For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

Always remember the power of prayer. God hears our prayers. Even though there are times when we feel like wailing with the psalmist “Why standest thou afar off, O LORD”, God hears our prayer. When we submit to His will we understand that in His perfect timing He will put all things right.

“The LORD is king for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou has heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress” (Psalm 10:16-18).

Finally the psalmist leaves his prayer where it needs to be. He started in outrage, moved on and asked God to move His hand against the injustice, then rested in the assurance that the Lord will deal with the wicked. That’s where we need to be. Outraged at the evil around us, praying for God’s intervention, then prayerfully resting in the assurance that God will one day remove all wickedness.

“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:49-50).

That time is near. Once Christ’s Ekklesia has been raptured there will be unimaginable evil unleashed. When that time comes it will be much more difficult than it is now to resist wicked ways. Some will find faith in Christ, though, and will not be cast into the furnace of fire.

Until we die or are called home in the Rapture we are faced with day to day living in this world that is filled with wickedness. How do we cope? Faith in Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).

Do not waiver. Do not be led astray by the wicked thinking that God won’t see. By staying true to our faith and serving Christ we may be the example that one of these wicked men or women need to break their pride and help them come to a saving faith in Christ. We all were wicked and without hope before we found hope and life in the righteousness of Christ.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” (Colossians 1:21).

The only difference between Christians and the wicked man is the love and righteousness of Jesus Christ. We have placed our faith in Him. Satan, the god of this world, and his minions of evil will do everything possible to encourage the wicked and hide the truth from them.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

It is a challenge to each Christian to live a life that honors our Savior. We are surrounded by wicked people, but Christ doesn’t want to leave them lost. It is up to Christians to make the Gospel known to this blind, wicked generation. Live your faith daily and share the Gospel with everyone you meet…and let God deal with the wicked.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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It was another one of those times when the disciples thought everything was going smoothly. They were in Jerusalem celebrating Passover with Jesus. They were chatting and enjoying the Feast. Jesus had just done something very unusual – He had washed their feet. This wasn’t something a teacher would do, but Jesus never did what was expected by men.

What the disciples didn’t know was that Jesus was giving them a lesson in the way they should behave. Soon Jesus would be arrested and crucified. He knew the time was short and wanted His followers to understand some important things. He was going away, but by going He would open the way for all who accept Him to follow. The disciples needed to understand this.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:3-4).

This time it is Thomas, not Peter, who jumps in and asks what Jesus meant.

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

They didn’t understand that He would be crucified and go to be with the Father. He didn’t say that every way would lead to heaven, but He had had spent three years with these men showing them the only way. He was specific in His answer.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

That makes it very clear that all roads don’t lead to salvation. Only through Jesus can we find eternal life.

Today born-again believers in Christ know exactly what Jesus meant. His example is what we must follow. Jesus showed humility by washing the disciple’s feet, and so Christians must be humble. Jesus was never politically correct by kowtowing to those Pharisees who had twisted God’s truth, and so we must never compromise God’s truth.

Jesus never condemned individuals but forgave sin and encouraged them to move away from their sin, and so we must love the individual but take a stand against sin. The road, or way, that leads to destruction is broad and wide and filled with worldly ideas. That is not the road a Christian should travel.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Greek word hodos means a travelled way or a road. Metaphorically it means a course of conduct or a manner of thinking, feeling, and deciding. Jesus’ example should be our guide in the way we think, feel, and make decisions. It should be our way of life. As we read these two verses we realize He’s making a comparison between two different ways of thinking and acting

Those who are perishing choose the broad and wide road, but those who follow Jesus choose the strait and narrow way. We must all ask ourselves which road we are travelling. The one which Jesus showed us that leads to eternal life, or the broad one of the world that leads to eternal destruction?

In the very early days, Christianity was referred to as “the way”. Apparently the way the early Christians lived was based upon what they were taught about Jesus, by Peter and the other Apostles. At one time Paul violently persecuted “the way.”

“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:4).

Why did he want to destroy Christians? Paul was a Pharisee and the first Christians were Jewish converts. Christians had a way of thinking and acting that was different from other people, specifically the Jews. The belief they held about Jesus and His teachings was blasphemy to the Jewish way of thinking. Christians know that Jesus was God in the flesh; He was the Messiah that the Jews are still looking for today. After an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul came to know the truth and dedicated his life to serving “The Way.”

Everyone has a choice of which road to travel in this life. We may feel as though it is easier to travel the broad road that leads to destruction, like animals being herded to the slaughter. The problem with traveling that broad road is it doesn’t include Jesus. It’s a destructive road in which God’s plan of salvation is totally rejected.

Those who suffer this destruction – who choose poorly and reject Jesus – are those who will go down to the fiery pit of hell when they die. There will be no possibility for a reprieve and no second chance. There is no payment that can be made by anyone here on earth that will get you out of that horrible place. You must make plans to stay out of hell while you’re still alive and kicking. Remember what Jesus told Thomas?

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:5-6).

If you are not following Jesus you are going the wrong way.

Following the strait road that leads to salvation may not look rewarding in the eyes of those who are partying on the broad road. Once we’re born again, staying on the strait and narrow road will be difficult at times; it will take determination on our part to stay on the strait road. Those on the broad road will dangle temptations in front of us. We will need to make hard decisions that might be unpopular with our family and friends. We shouldn’t be yoked with people in the world because it is easy to give in to temptation and stumble on our narrow path. Our fellowship should always be with God and our fellow Christians.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Is that narrow minded? Yes it is. That’s following the strait and narrow way that Jesus talked about. If you’re on the way Jesus taught you will be led by the Holy Spirit Himself. Jesus is always with us; therefore we won’t travel the straight and narrow alone.

How do we avoid getting detoured from following Jesus along that strait and narrow way?

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

A false prophet is one who utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies. They spout lies, but make them sound profound and true. There are many false prophets in the world today and they follow Satan to lead the masses astray. We need to study God’s Word so that when confronted by false teaching we will not be confused and turn from the truth.

“All roads lead to heaven” is a very popular lie spoken by the false prophets of today. No, you cannot follow the lies of Joseph Smith, Mohammed, New Age, Darwin, or any other false teacher and expect to be on that straight and narrow path. You cannot shun Jesus and expect to spend eternity with Him. The disciples should have known the way to the Father because they knew Jesus.

False prophets, false doctrines, and false religions are all leading people by their noses along that broad road and right through the wide gate that leads to hell. Think of all those individuals who’ve died before us. The ones who chose to follow the broad road are in hell right now awaiting judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment of God. There He will judge all those who have rejected Christ’s sacrifice which was made for them. They will then be sent to the lake of fire to remain for eternity.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

They now know they chose the wrong road. If they could, they would warn everyone who is currently traveling that broad road about the danger ahead.

Jesus told of a rich man who had everything and of Lazarus who had nothing and begged for the crumbs from the rich man’s table but was turned away. Upon death Lazarus went into Abraham’s bosom, but the rich man went to hell (Hades). The rich man wanted mercy and asked that Father Abraham send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and put it on his tongue so he could feel some relief, but is told that is impossible. Then he tells Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brethren so they would have a chance to repent and not join him in torments when they died.

“Abraham saith unto him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets let them hear them.’ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:29-31).

Those who are waiting the judgment of God would do anything to send a warning to all those who are still alive and remain in rebellion to God. The dead cannot come and warn the living but we have Christ’s example. Yes, He died on the cross, but He conquered death and lives. By accepting His death, burial, and resurrection we, too, can have eternal life. By choosing to follow Jesus you will not end up like the rich man who followed the broad road to destruction. Many Christians struggle with one sin or another and question if they are saved. That sin which brings only temporary pleasure is in fact a cause of misery.

Being a Christian does not mean we follow a set of rules and regulations. There isn’t a list of “do this and don’t do that.” Once a person has accepted Christ as their personal Savior, the most important journey in life has begun. When Thomas said that they didn’t know the way Jesus was going, Jesus reminded him that they did know the way. These men had followed Jesus and observed His way of life for a long time.

Since Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; they needed to follow His example and so do we. We know His way by studying His life. Study the Bible and apply it to every situation in life. When we sin we need to go directly to Jesus and ask forgiveness. Knowing Jesus’ ways will help us to follow Him on the straight and narrow road.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

It’s not God’s will that those who are traveling that broad road should continue in their rebellion, but that they would hear the gospel and believe. Christians need to share the truth with all who will listen so they will have the opportunity to leave that broad road. Before we became Christians we were also walking along that broad road ready to step through the wide gate. Someone cared enough about you to share the gospel…they told you of God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do you know someone who you need to share the gospel with before it is too late?

Everyone makes bad decisions now and again and will continue to do so throughout this earthly life. There is only one bad decision that will eternally damn the soul, and that is the decision to reject the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who’ve made a decision for Christ will spend eternity with Him. On the other hand, according to Jesus’ own words, many will remain on the wide destructive road that leads to hell, no matter what we tell them. Nevertheless, the truth must be presented to everyone. Nobody will spend eternity in the lake of fire because they sin. It is the choice of rejecting Christ’s finished work on the cross that condemns a person.

The Way: You can choose the way that leads to destruction, or you can choose to follow Christ. Jesus’ words shine through brilliantly:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

In the big picture, this time we spend on earth is very short. Choosing to follow Christ – the way, the truth, and the life – will lead you to an eternity of peace and love. Remember that if you choose to follow the broad road that leads to destruction, eternity is a very long time to kick yourself for making the wrong choice.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham