Have you
ever had a question or a problem that seemed to not have an answer, and you
were unsure where to look? I have! And let me tell you, it’s frustrating. But
Oh, the joy and relief when you finally figure it out; it feels as if someone
suddenly switched on a light bulb in your head.
King David
had a similar experience many years ago. For many years, he had watched the
wicked prosper despite their wickedness. As evidence of their prosperity, their
riches had multiplied, and they enjoyed a life of ease. In comparison, he had
observed that the godly had constant trouble, himself included. For surely
there must be something wrong with that picture, he thought.
The
situation frustrated him, and he became envious of the wicked. He figured if
the wicked prosper, then the righteous should prosper even more. Perhaps out of frustration the king
questioned the value of his faith: “Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I
keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain” (Psalm 73:13-14). To the Christian, the Word
cautions, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I [Jesus] have overcome the world” (John 16:31).
In his
discouragement, King David set out to learn the secret behind the success of
the wicked. He asked, “Why do the wicked prosper?” (Ps 73:16) He discovered
rather quickly that his research wasn’t going to be easy. Nevertheless, he did
not give up his search; he stayed on task until he found the answers, right
there in the house of God: “I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally
understood the destiny of the wicked” (V 17). His pursuit for insight was
finally over, and he had learned some valuable lessons about
himself, the wicked, and about God.
About himself:
The king
learned that his heart was evil and from it came evil thoughts, murder,
adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander (Matthew 15:19). He
learned his heart was bitter, he was torn up inside, he was foolish and
ignorant; he was envious of the wicked. That sounds like the rest of mankind!
Our hearts are desperately wicked just like the Scriptures say (see Jeremiah
17:9).
Like the
king, we worry needlessly about things we don’t understand instead of going to
the Lord in prayer. Fretting and worrying are proof that we don’t completely
trust God, and wish we were in charge of situations ourselves, rather than
leaving things in His hands. But like the king, we should turn to the Lord with
our questions and concerns, trusting Him for the answers. It’s good to know
that through challenges, we learn valuable lessons and gain knowledge that we’d
otherwise not acquire. King David learned his lessons so well that, in his old
age, he was able to say, “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never
seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25).
About the
wicked:
The wicked
have no regard for the Lord, but He is patient with them and does not want them
to perish; He is giving them time to repent. But because God is just, He will
judge and destroy them if they don’t repent (see Ps 37:18-20; Ps 75:2, 8, 10).
Unlike the king, let’s not envy the wicked, thinking they’re getting away with
murder, because they are not. Instead of envying them, they need our love and
prayers.
About God:
The king
learned that God is in charge at all times and in all situations; He knows and
sees all, and nothing takes Him by surprise. His holiness demands that sin be
punished; He has plans to reward the righteous and to punish the wicked. But
because He’s not willing for any to be destroyed, He is exercising patience to
give them time (see 2 Peter 3:8-9). His patience makes it appear the wicked are
free to do as they please, but their day is coming if they don’t repent. We
need to share the gospel with them and lead them to a saving faith in
Jesus.
Whatever
your dilemma, do what King David did; go to the Lord in His sanctuary (Bible
and prayer), and you’ll come out with answers that will calm your heart and
sustain you through your difficulties.
Ps: All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).
Feel free to share; feel free to leave a comment. Thank you!
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