When is the last time you accused someone of being “wantonly treacherous”? Have you come home from work and fumed to your partner about someone at the office being “wantonly treacherous”? Can you think of an incident that was a deliberate, unprovoked cruel or violent action involving betrayal or deception? That’s strong language. That’s severe behavior. Wantonly treacherous. The phrase is used in Psalm 25.
There are basically two categories of people referred to in the Psalms. There are those who trust God, who are trying to live by God’s justice, who are concerned about the well-being of the community, who are trying to be humble, dependent on God, sinners seeking mercy. That’s group one. The group that those who wrote the psalms represent. Then there’s group two. Those who are evil, wicked, and wantonly treacherous. The second group is self-centered, ruled by self-interest, and has little or no consideration for others.
In a society that praises and promotes self-actualization, self-sufficiency, and instant gratification, the default setting for group identification may be group two. Without much thought or effort we may be numbered among the wantonly treacherous. For instance, could the war in Iraq have been considered, “deliberate, unprovoked cruel or violent action involving betrayal or deception”? Some would say so. Could the economic melt down be considered wantonly treacherous? Some would say so. We might not be as far as we think from the wantonly treacherous.
The point of our faith is to encourage us to live the examined life. And to make thoughtful choices considering the wider implications and consequences of our actions. That’s how we become part of the justice and peace that fulfill divine intentions for the world and creation. We want to try to be in group one because that is the valid path to life that is full, abundant, and joyful for ALL people.
Feeling wantonly treacherous? Don’t panic. As Psalm 25 assures us, God’s character is merciful, loving, and faithful. There is always a place saved for us in group one!
Prayer
It’s easy to get caught up in the living of our days and lose sight of the fact that we are part of a larger reality. Our world can become small and self centered. Our faith invites us to broader horizons. We find our highest good in giving ourselves away in love, mercy, and compassion grounded in God. May we remind ourselves each day to seek goodness and grace. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 