The Prosperity of the Wicked

“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily… And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning… When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." What you have just read is the main body of Psalms 73, one of my favorite psalms. The point here is that Asaph, who was a great man of God and a Levite who was in high position with singing and music in the worship of the Lord during the reign of David and Solomon; fell prey momentarily to an age old temptation to feel as though people who were not following hard after God were doing better than he was.

Asaph saw many people who he knew were not righteous, having things just fall right into place for them, while he was being "plagued… and chastened every morning.” Yet he knew that he WAS following hard after the commandments of the Lord, and seeking to please him in his life. Ever felt that way? Well, you’re not alone. Asaph wasn’t the only righteous man in the Bible with this confession, and that temptation didn’t end with the Bible being finished written. It is true that the scripture says that if we obey God, he will make us “the head, and not the tail” (Deut. 28:13). But the scriptures also plainly demonstrate throughout that a whole lot of the time, on the way to becoming the head we will have to feel like the tail, look like the tail, and have everyone else think we are the tail. People like Joseph, Hannah, Job, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus, etc.; all filled that role very nicely. It appeared that they were the tail for a season, but perseverance in faithfulness to God made them the head in the long run. And whether or not these things even come to pass in this life or not, it will surely come to pass hereafter. Just ask the prophets who were put to death, and for that matter, ask Jesus. It all comes down to this: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:18). We cannot measure anything spiritual by what is happening, or what appears to be happening in this realm. Period. The only way we can measure blessing is whether or not we are doing the will of God and possess his love and peace in our hearts. If we’ve got that down right, then we have the following assurance: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Period! That’s all there is to it! Regardless of what anything seems like. And absolutely nothing is working for the good for whoever is not “purifying [their] hearts, even as he is pure” (I Jn. 3:3; Mat. 5:8; Heb. 12:14). Regardless of what anything looks like or seems like. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7). And again: “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Heb. 13:14). And once more: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Amen.