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Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Psalm 49:5-6
Reflect
Cheaters never prosper. At least that’s what we’re told. But every day we turn on the news, we hear stories about cheaters who are seemingly thriving. Just from some recent headlines:
- “Jail for man who helped childhood friend cheat scam victims, used bank accounts to funnel ‘dirty money'”
- “Illusionist added to ‘black book’ after allegedly cheating at roulette”
- “How Travelers Avoid Extra Fees with a Simple Luggage Cheat at Check-In”
- “‘Synthetic IDs’ are latest digital scams to raise alarm for victims, security experts”
- “Crypto thieves will deploy more convincing AI scams in 2024, firms warn”
Recently, I tried to test my computer’s speed and went to a site that I go to regularly. But I mistyped the address with a “.com” instead of a “.net,” and the result was a scammer who tried to download a program onto my PC. And our site regularly day gets spammers who sign up for accounts for some reason. (It’s silly because we delete them just as quickly.) No matter which way you turn, someone is going to try to scam you or rip you off.
It’s been that way since the beginning of time. Once man began to sin (and that was right after man was created), some of the people started taking advantage of others. But does God want us to live in fear of them? Absolutely not!
Today’s scripture says, “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me…” That’s because the writer of the Psalm knew that God was ultimately in control and that those who scheme and scam will ultimately get their “reward” from Him.
“For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light.”
Meanwhile, for those who love the Lord, “God will ransom my soul from the power of (death), for he will receive me.”
Don’t fear those who try to take what is not theirs, because they’re ultimately not in control – God is. Love and cherish Him, and give Him all of your praise and adoration because, in the end, He will make everything right — if not here on Earth, then when we meet Him in the next life.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
