Considering the Prosperity of the Wicked

Ps. 73

Jay Horsley

We are are troubled when events and turns in life do not seem to fit our preconceived notions of how things should be. The question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” troubles many folks. This question usually comes in the direct aftermath of tragedy or obvious injustice. (See Job for the worst happening to the best.) We can also be troubled by the opposite question, “Why do bad people seem to have it so good?”  This question does not come directly from dramatic circumstances like the first, but grinds away at us as we struggle with living right. As we face life's travails, we can see some openly wicked people who don't seem to be troubled at all. Its all wine and roses for them, or at least it appears that way to us. Developing an aggrieved mind set because of this is dangerous to our spiritual health.

A Good Man Nearly Fell

1 (A Psalm of Asaph.) Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!

2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped.

The conclusion is stated at the outset, “God is good.” The devil works to make us doubt this, and for a time Asaph, the prophet, priest, and leader of the temple worship did, and nearly fell away. But when he came back to the truth he renewed again his faith that “Surely God is good.”

Observing The Wicked Prosper

3 For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no pains in their death; And their body is fat.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them.

7 Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot.

8 They mock, and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.

9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return to this place; And waters of abundance are drunk by them.

11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?"

12 Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.

Asaph saw the wicked appear to do well. They were rich, well fed, untroubled (at least as far as he could see) and had more than their heart could desire. Asaph saw this and was “envious.” He looked at their things and their lifestyles and wished he had it so good too. As a good, hard working man, didn't he deserve it?

What kind of life did Asaph see them leading as they lived so well? One of pride, self will, oppression and arrogance against God and man. Was God striking them down for this? No! They were even “increasing in wealth” (vs. 12) as Asaph looked on with envy and frustration.

Have I Been Foolish In Being Faithful?

13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, And washed my hands in innocence

14 For I have been stricken all day long, And chastened every morning.

Asaph's envy led him to decide that he had been foolish for being faithful. He asked himself, “Why do I remain pure and try to do right? Why not just take shortcuts like others do?”

Spiritual Disaster Averted

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I should have betrayed the generation of Thy children.

16 When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight

17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

18 Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction.

19 How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!

20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, Thou wilt despise their form.

Asaph not only nearly fell himself, he came close to destroying the faith of many others. Had he spoken from his envy he would have betrayed God's people by sowing seeds of doubt. We must edify by speaking the words of God, not destroy by undermining what God has said.

Only after Asaph went to God's house (the place of true wisdom) did he recognize that God would punish them appropriately. Asaph finally, with difficulty, understood because he saw (by faith) their eternal end. Before that, Asaph could not reconcile what he thought was right with what God seemed to be allowing. When we just look at only the temporary prosperity of the wicked, we have not looked long enough to make a proper judgment. In our own mind, retribution never comes soon enough for the wicked. The justice of God comes from mind of God, so it will be on a higher plain than our understanding.

The wicked don't seem to be troubled now, but they will be soon enough. Then their trouble will be with God. So even if the wicked have everything and have it easy, in the end it still is better to be with God. “Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked.” (Ps. 37:16)

Return To Proper Spiritual Perspective

21 When my heart was embittered, And I was pierced within,

22 Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.

24 With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.

Asaph acknowledged that in his time of doubt he was in pain and had sour disposition. He doubted God's goodness and faithfulness in governing man. But for a man to doubt God and be grieved at God is foolish and beastly. Asaph admitted that he was like this when his mind was harboring sinful thoughts. Even the wisest and best men become first class fools when their thoughts do not conform to God's revelation. After Asaph returned to the truth he enjoyed the blessing of clarity that only comes by conforming to God's teachings. He again had fellowship with God while on earth and the hope of heaven in the hereafter.

Now Let's Think And Speak About God

25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For, behold, those who are far from Thee will perish; Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.

28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.”

Asaph put away his envy and dark mood to consider the glory of God, the sure reward of the righteous and the punishment reserved for the wicked. So he who once nearly spoke his doubts, told everyone of the goodness and graciousness of God.

What should we do when justice does not come quick enough to suit us? When the wicked seem to live so well? When the reward of righteousness seems missing? Keep going to God's house, keep going to God's word, think on the end of all things and stop envying the wicked. Only by patient faith will we endure and eventually reign.