How should we respond when it appears that wicked people are getting away with evil?

We live in a broken world where evil and injustice abound. Too often righteousness is punished and wickedness is ignored. It's almost impossible to listen to the news at night without getting frustrated and angry. For example, recently our new president lifted many of the existing restrictions on abortion. Now more innocent children will die due to the wickedness of others. Is this right? Does it make you angry. Does it cause you to ask the question how come these wicked people are getting away with perpetrating such evil?

This week I read that the legislatures of several states in the Northeast are going to adopt some form of gay marriage. They are going to declare what God considers perverted and sinful okay. Does this frustrate you? Does it make you wonder why such evil exists. Why doesn't God do something?

In places all over the world Christians are persecuted for their faith. Most are good citizens, they work hard and mind their own business. Their only crime is that they believe in and follow Jesus Christ. For this they are hated, persecuted, imprisoned and sometimes martyred. Does this bother you? Doesn't it make you wonder how come these wicked people are getting away with such evil?

Why does God allow the dictator of North Korea to draw another breath? Why does God allow the Hindus in Orissa to merciously persecute his children.

I could go on talking about evil and injustice all day. There's plenty to talk about. The issue for us is how do we respond to it in a godly way? Psalm 37 gives us some important insight and instruction.

Psalm 37 has the structure of an alphabetic acrostic. Its collection of wise sayings contrasts the wicked and the righteous. Psalm 37 was written by one well advanced in years (v. 25). Apparently he was concerned that those less experienced in their walk with God may be tempted, in times of adversity, to turn away. His aim was to admonish and to encourage them to steadfastness, especially when they are tempted to envy evildoers who enjoy great prosperity. God keeps the righteous. The wicked may appear to succeed for a moment but they will fade away. Though the righteous may stumble, Yahweh will continue to hold them. Their ultimate destiny is assured by Him.

Questions of theodicy (“Why do the wicked prosper?” “Why do the righteous suffer?”) are not the Psalmist's agenda. Of course the questions are there, but if they were put to him, he would probably answer: “I am willing to leave that matter in God's hands.” It's the psalmist's intent to give us a theology lesson but to challenge us to a life marked by trusting God, with the firm conviction that such a life will bring untold blessings from God, whereas a life of evil will result in destruction. As for the prosperity of the wicked he would answer: “Do not let what happens to others interfere with your own faithfulness to God nor to your commitment to what is right.” The psalmist does not close his eyes to reality. He is aware of what life is like in the “real world.” But for him the greatest reality is that God will bless the life that is committed to him.

How should we respond when it appears that wicked people are getting away with evil?

Don't fret because of evil doers instead trust the Lord. Vs. 1-11

What does it mean to fret ?......to glow with anger, to be grieved.....

Why do we fret?...Because we see the evil prosper....Because the wicked man’s schemes appear to go unthwarted...

Where does fretting lead ? See verse 8, it leads to sin-most likely the sin of unbelief.

Do not be envious...v1b...Psalm 73:3-14....then read Psalm 73:15-20

Trust in the Lord and do good....dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.Trust is the opposite of fretting. Quit worrying about what the evil doers are doing and make sure you are doing what is right, that is cultivating faithfulness. We trust Christ with our salvation therefore we must trust Him to take care of evil.

Delight yourself in the Lord....delight means to be soft and pliable before the Lord...How ?

Commit you way to the Lord....the course and direction of your life...Proverbs 3:5-6... Proverbs 16:3 God has a plan and a purpose for everyone of us. I believe it is our responsibility to seek to understand what God’s plan and purpose for our lives.We begin this process by committing ourselves to God’s plan for our lives. When we cooperate with God he brings His will to pass in and through our lives.When we are in the center of God’s will.

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him Psalm 40:1, Isa. 40:27-31

Don't fret because of evil doers because the Lord will protect you. Vs. 12-15, 27-34

Don't fret because of evil doers because the Lord will sustain you. Vs. 16-22

Don't fret because of evil doers because the Lord will judge them. Vs. 35-40

This world is broken and evil because of man's rebellion. We live with the consequences of that rebellion. God is allowing us to see and experience first hand what life independent of Him looks like. In due time He, the righteous judge of all creation, will set things right. The wicked will be punished and the righteous rewarded. Tears will be wiped away and opressions will cease. But for now we must live with the reality of a broken and evil world.

God cannot remove us from the pain of living without removing us from living itself. In due time He will do that for us all. But for now He walks with us. He is the God who sustains and protects us. He does not always answer the question why. He wants us to to trust Him. He wants us to discover firsthand the truth of Romans 8:28-30 (NASB95) 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Yes our God walks with us in the midst of this evil world. But He also points us to the promise of a painless future where evil and injustice are distant memories. A future where everything is set right. But for now there is the reality of a broken evil world. Dear ones we must face this reality but thank God we do not face it alone. Our Savior told us “lo I'm with you always even to the end of the age.”

So dont' fret about evil. Trust the Lord. Delight in Him. Commit your way to the Lord. Rest in Him. No don't fret about evil because the Lord will sustain and protect you. In due time, on the day of the Lord, He will reward you for your righteousness and He will judge those who have chosen the path of evil and wickedness.