Why do the wicked prosper?

Have you ever wondered why those who don’t appear to have a relationship with Christ still seem very happy, prosperous, and successful?  I mean, doesn’t it seem like that should be the reward for those who are trying hard to be faithful?  David seemed to wonder about this as well.  In Ps. 73, he admits he envied the wicked because of their prosperity, their apparent carefree life, their good health and even their good looks.  They seemed to have nothing to worry about; whereas, David felt as though he was continually struggling.  He went so far as to say he felt like he was being “punished every morning.”  He felt as though his attempts to live the right kind of life were “in vain.”

Have you ever felt this way?  As though it wasn’t worth it to be honest?  To do the right thing even when it may end up costing us?  To be considerate of others and what they wanted?  How do we justify being good when it does seem like a struggle and there doesn’t seem to be any payoff for doing so?

What helped David was going to God and gaining a change in perspective.  It helped him to see that unlike the wicked, God was always with David, giving him counsel and showing him His will for David’s life.  David wrote, “You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel.”  Knowing that God was with him, guiding him, led David to say “…and being with you, I desire nothing on earth.” However, instead of looking only at the immediate, David looked a little further down the road…towards eternity.  That change in frame of reference helped him to see that “their final destiny” was going to be quite different than his own. 

When we find ourselves envying the wicked, wanting what others have, we need to remember what we have already been given, as well as what is promised.  We need to draw near to God and experience the relationship that is available to us.  Like David, we can say, “As for me, it is good to be near to God.”  Further, we need to recall that we will spend eternity with Him.

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish (Ps. 1:6).”

If you have the opportunity, spend some more time with Psalm 1 this week.  It is quite rich.