Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Psalm 140:8

In 2010 the average income in Bangladesh was right around $1,700.

In that same year ten Bangladesh men were renting watches to people for somewhere around $1,500.

I know that sounds like a lot of money for a watch, but these were special watches. Not only did these watches tell time, they also could give assistance to a student who was taking a test, or a job- seeker who was applying for a public service position. And how did this miracle of technology come about?

Well, it's no miracle. The fellows who rented out the watches bribed teachers and government officials to give them the exams and the job applications. Then, when the watch-renter was taking the test, the scheme's masterminds would text the answers to the rented watch. And if you're wondering why didn't the test-takers just have someone text their cell phone, that's easy, to cut down on cheating, authorities have banned cell phones from important testing situations.

It was a brilliant plan, and it worked for a number of years. Just about everybody was happy. The students got into the right schools; the applicants got the government jobs, and the ten men who were renting the phones got rich.

Yes, everybody was happy, except for the honest students who were passed over by their favorite college, except for the honest citizens who missed out on a job and had to look elsewhere for work. Oh, I imagine God wasn't happy either. He seldom is when people take advantage of each other and disobey His wishes and commandments.

Today, I can tell you that the watch-rental gang has been broken up. The ten leaders have been arrested and will probably do some jail time. I don't know what will happen to the professors and bureaucrats who sold the tests. They're just as guilty as the ten who have been arrested. In fact, without the cooperation of these folks in authority the scam would never have made a penny.

May I ask, has that story left a bad taste in your mouth? If so, join with the Psalmist who asked the Lord to frustrate the wicked in their plans and put an end to their evil plots.

That, I think, is a petition we Christians ought to regularly bring before the Lord. Wherever you look, whatever news report you watch, whichever newspaper you read, you will find many who are doing their best to circumvent the system and hurt the naïve, who have no friends to help or advise them. These honest folks are like the proverbial chicken: suckers ready to be plucked.

Well, the Lord Jesus didn't like that in His time when the Pharisees took advantage of widows and He doesn't like it now. So, my friends, let's join ranks and stand up against the cons, the cheats, the charlatans, the fakes, and the frauds. Let's pray the Lord's good and gracious will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Satan is the father of lies, and he has a lot of people doing his will. Send Your angels to watch over those who are defenseless and grant we may be of support to those who are vulnerable and in need. This I ask in the Name of Jesus who has saved us. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Daniel 5-7    Titus 3

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