WHEN THE WICKED PROSPER
A disciple of God often struggles with the fact that he does not see due reward for his faithfulness while in this world. To make matters worse, the wicked who have no regard for God prosper. The hymnist, Asaph captures this dilemma well in Psalms 73.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.………. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence……They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression…….Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance (v4-10)
Asaph sees the health, wealth and arrogance of the wicked and cannot bear to see an apparent lack of justice from God. What is worse, the wicked take on pride and gather followers, which creates an impression that who follow God are to be despised. And when he compares his situation with them, he cannot help saying,
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. (v13,14)
But as he struggles to comprehend it all, the realization comes to him.
When I tried to understandall this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground;……..They are like a dream when one awakes;when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. (v16-20)
When life is considered from the standpoint of eternity, it makes sense. A life that is highly valued here on earth, but with no hope for eternity is no life at all. Like a flower that enjoys its glory and then fades away never to be seen again is the fate of the wicked. But the answer lies not just in the life to come, but also in the fullness of joy that comes here on earth from a life lived in a relationship with God.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (23-26)
In such a life is God’s counsel, hope for the future, a love relationship that transcends all and the strength of God that makes even the hardest affliction possible to endure. Asaph comes away with the conclusion that you could have the best of this world, yet be empty within, whereas for one in union with God, made possible with faith in Christ in today’s generation, the best of this world and the best of the world to come is not measured by the glitter of this life, but by the proximity with God.
