The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. (Psalm 145: 17-20)

Today many churches celebrate Pentecost. According to the Acts of the Apostles fifty days after the resurrection, while the principal followers of Jesus were attending the Festival of Shauvot in Jerusalem, "divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them."

God heard their cry and came very near to them. God fulfilled their desire for insight and courage. God watched over them and saved them.

How is it that the Lord is "kind in all his doings" and yet "the wicked he will destroy?" The Hebrew is kol rashad shabad: all wicked destroy. It can also mean: all wickedness destroy.

Perhaps the translator who rendered the passage above was confident of his or her innocence and relieved to read of God destroying the wicked. I would be more assured if the wicked are redeemed by the destruction of their (my) wickedness.

Dear God, open my life to your tongues of fire. May your cleansing flame burn away all that seperates me from you.