Only God can do this, but you can help it along
Establish the Righteous
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Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!
Psalm 7:4 (ESV)
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Who hasn’t cried out to God with a prayer like this before?
I’ve certainly had times when I’ve looked around at the evil and pain in the world and thought, “God, would you go ahead and get rid of that, soon?”
And then I remember that God’s wisdom is not my wisdom.
Even the very wise cannot see all ends.
(I’m far from considering myself very wise, in case you were wondering.)
Despite my own foolishness, I’ve at least learned to place my trust in the Lord and lean on His understanding.
If I want to be established as a righteous man then I better have a heart and mind that loves and seeks God.
King David was called a man after God’s own heart.
His son Solomon asked for wisdom and became the wisest man in all the world, perhaps for all of time. Except for Jesus Christ, of course.
The Lord created wisdom. He gives it to whomever He wants. And He’s already told us that He seeks those who have a heart that yearns for Him and a mind that meditates on His Word.
Looks like there’s actually a lot I can do to help position myself to be established by God.
Just like any other love relationship, it takes time and effort.
Simple enough.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2026 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.