KBM Do The Wicked Prosper?
Kids Bible Minute • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsWe discuss and study whether the wicked really prosper or is it just perceived.
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In Psalm 73 Asaph, one of David’s musicians and writer of this psalm, writes about something that is no doubt very common amongst God’s children today. The great question “Do The Wicked Prosper?” Asaph, inspired by God, writes in Psalm 73:1-5…
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Again, this idea of God’s people wondering “why the wicked prosper” isn’t new. Job, who was under great distress, wondered this very thing in Job 21.
10 Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves and does not miscarry. 11 They send out their little boys like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They sing to the tambourine and the lyre and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol.
The great prophet Jeremiah complained about this as well in Jeremiah 12:1.
1 Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
There is no doubt that as the child of God, seeking to live a godly life, looks out and sees the perceived advantages this life seems to offer the wicked on there can be a question that arises, “Why do the wicked seem to prosper?” In our Psalm, Psalm 73, thankfully the answer is given. Notice, after Asaph makes all these observations, what he states in Psalm 73:16-24.
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. 21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
The wicked may “seem” to prosper but in reality they simply cannot be prospering “without God.” Yes, they might be enjoying “momentary” success but as Abraham said to the rich man in who was in torment in Luke 16:25…
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
Does it sometimes seem like the wicked have things better in this life yes and the reason for this is simple. The godly will always be persecuted and thus deal with difficulties (2 Timothy 3:12). But this life is short and eternity is forever, so as who really is it that is prospering? It’s you and I and everyone else that lives that godly life.