Let’s be honest; the world looks appealing sometimes.
What Christian doesn’t have moments where they think that it would be easier or more enjoyable to live any way they want without any moral or spiritual constraints?
We can fall prey to looking at the world and wondering why they get to have all the “fun”. We wonder how they get to live however they want without any consequences it seems. It’s especially hard to grasp when we go through difficulties.
Asaph wrote twelve of the Psalms and once asked these same questions in Psalm 73; and the answer God reveals to him is very insightful. I would encourage you to read the whole chapter, but for the sake of brevity we will only examine some of the key verses:
"…I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.” -Psalm 73:3-5
“This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” -Psalm 73:12-14
Asaph admitted that he could not comprehend how the wicked could live such prosperous lives, and he envied them for it. He felt like he was serving God in vain; just to receive afflictions for his faithfulness.
But thankfully the psalm does not end on that sour note:
"When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” -Psalm 73:16-17
Asaph made the choice to enter God’s sanctuary. He brought his questions directly to God.
Like Asaph, we also must enter into God’s presence whenever we are grappling with tough questions of faith. God wants to teach us, and if we never come near to Him we won’t hear what He is saying. We don’t have to be afraid to bring our concerns to Him because He knows our hearts before we even speak.
In verses 18-20 God opens Asaph’s mind to understand the final destiny of the wicked:
"Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.” -Psalm 73:18-20
"Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” -Psalms 27-28
The wicked will not always prosper. Although they may flourish for a time they will be held accountable for their actions. We can be sure that no one escapes God’s sight and thus God will repay.
In the waiting time we observe that God allows both prosperity and trials to happen to both the wicked and the righteous:
"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." -Matthew 5:45
But unlike the wicked there is a purpose for the trials of the righteous:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?" -Hebrews 12:7
We must remember like Asaph did that in the end “it is good to be near God”. Although the wicked may seem better off at the moment, we can know that unlike them, our hope is secure for all eternity.