Why
Do
The
Wicked
Prosper, Growing Old And Powerful?
Scripture
Job
21
13 They
spend their days in prosperity,
then go down to the grave[a] in peace.
then go down to the grave[a] in peace.
16 (They
think their prosperity is of their own doing,
but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)
but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)
17 “Yet
the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished.
Do they ever have trouble?
Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger?
Do they ever have trouble?
Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger?
18 Are they
driven before the wind like straw?
Are they carried away by the storm like chaff?
Not at all!
Are they carried away by the storm like chaff?
Not at all!
Observation
My
younger sister Bea is also reading through the Bible just like I do
every year and yesterday she told me that she is also reading through
Job right now. She shared with me that reading through Job was
depressing and I told her that every year I struggle as I go through
it myself!
Who
can blame Job for what he shares in Job 21 when he thinks about his
life compared to the lives of the wicked and ungodly around him?
Haven't you done the same thing? I sure have! How come the ungodly
seem to prosper and do so well financially? It sure looks like
someone is blessing them.
I
would be surprised (and I wouldn't believe you) if you said that you
have never had that thought!
You
and I have an advantage that Job did not have. We have the complete
Bible. We have the big picture! We know how the story ends … Job
did not, at least not like we do.
Maybe
you feel a lot like Job did when he shared his feelings with his
so-called friends. Maybe you also feel like you are getting a bum
deal from God.
God
loves me and you! He has big plans for us. He has plans for us that
will last for eternity. He has something planned for us that is so
good that we can't even begin to imagine how good that it is going to
be.
So
let's not compare ourselves with those around us. Let's look up and
trust Him!
2
Corinthians 4:16-18 MESSAGE
So
we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it
often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where
God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding
grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared
to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are
here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will
last forever.
And
Job did not have the advantage of being able to read Psalm 37 like we
can!
Psalm
37
1 Don’t
worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.
or envy those who do wrong.
6 He will
make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
7 Be still
in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
Application
When
I am struggling with problems and difficulties I will do my best not
to compare myself with those around me and I will do my best to keep
my eyes on Jesus.
How
about you? … Why me? … Why not me!
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, this world is not my home. I am just passing through. I am
reminded that You have told me in Your Word that I am going to
experience trouble in this life. And You told me in that same verse
to have courage because Jesus has conquered this world. (John 16:33)
You have also told me that what lies ahead for me is so wonderful
that it is incomprehensible! (1 Corinthians 2:9) So thank You, Lord,
for taking such good care of me.
I
pray for those struggling right now with health issues, financial
issues, relationship issues. Help them to trust in You. Help them to
see their situation from Your perspective.
Daily
Bible Reading: Job 21; Mark 5,6
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