THE WICKED SHALL NOT PROSPER.
By M. E. McKEE
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. This is a plain declaration of the inspired word. We can easily understand that if we gloss over iniquity, and hide sin, the Lord will not prosper us. Especially is this true of those who make loud professions of religion. Many seem to prosper for awhile, even while covering sins of the darkest dye, but could we look into their hearts we might not envy them their apparent happiness. They no doubt have many anxious hours of unrest, fearing that their sinful practices will be found out. But those who confess and forsake their evil ways shall find mercy. Mercy, Webster says, is tenderness toward an offender, kindness, clemency. Confessing and forsaking sin calls forth pardon from an offended God; with it comes the tenderness and love which he so kindly bestows in token of reconciliation. “He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust,” and “though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18, 19. How good is the Lord to promise forgiveness so full and free to those who will comply with the conditions. But it is not safe to trifle with his mercy. “Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.” “The Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.” Ps. 21:8, 9. Judgments will surely fall upon the heads of the wicked; and if God sees fit to destroy their pleasant things, to cut off their brightest hopes and most flattering prospects, they can only say, “It is just.” They have not heeded his counsel nor his reproofs, and he has said that he would laugh at their calamity and mock when their fear cometh. The Lord said of the house of Judah, who had broken his covenant, “Though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.” Jer. 11:11. How terrible to be in such a position! The words of Solomon are only too true: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Eccl. 8:11. “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God. But it shall not be well with the wicked.” Verses 12, 13. The word of God contains ample instructions, so that all may avoid falling into error. Few persons can say at last that they have not been warned, and none will be excused for covering their sins, and hiding their eyes from their iniquities.