For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalms 73:3 NKJV
When we are going to church and serving the Lord and doing our best to be good Christian people and suffering through various trials and tribulations, then we see evil, wicked people succeeding, it’s hard to comprehend. We’ve all been there. Sometimes it seems the more you do to be in a close relationship with the Lord, the more the devil does to cause you trouble. You see people who you know are wicked people who don’t love or honor the Lord, and they are enjoying health and wealth and all that goes along with it. They are living the good life. It can be very frustrating.
In fact, there is a whole Psalm about this in the Bible. It’s Psalms 73. In my Bible it’s called, “The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God”. I just gave you one of the 28 verses contained in this Psalm. In the first 12 verses it talks of how the wicked people seem to be blessed with riches even though they speak against heaven and are filled with pride they have more than one could wish for. In verses 12-16 the Psalmist worries that he has cleansed his heart in vain and says it was too painful for him to understand.
But in verse 17 he speaks of going into God’s sanctuary and coming to understand this. He begins to see how God brings them to destruction and consumes them with terrors. He continues into verse 20 about how they suffer, and this is suffering we may never see on the outside. And regardless of the wealth and riches they may have here, if they do not have Jesus in their hearts, they will meet destruction in the end.
Verse 23 says, “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.”
Verse 26 says, “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
The psalmist then acknowledges that those who are far from God will perish.
It’s easy to become discouraged when we are doing the best we can do and trying to be the best we can be for God and see those who oppose God living their best life. We are told however, in Galatians 6:9 not to become weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
So, don’t be distracted by people who are evil and seem to be thriving. Continue to do good. Do what God has called you to do. Don’t let them cause you to stumble. Just keep on keeping on.
As Christians we are told we will have trouble on this earth. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 37:1-2 tells us not to fret over evildoers or be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Many people will reject God and may do well here on earth but will spend their eternity in a fiery hell. Our reward awaits us in heaven, our forever home. We are just passing through here so try not to be discouraged, but continue in a good, solid relationship with your Lord and Savior. Do what He has called you to do and don’t let the short-lived success of evil ones cause you to be discouraged.
Have a good day.