Why Does God Allow the Wicked to Prosper?

Why Does God Allow the Wicked to Prosper?

That some ungodly people enjoy good health, long lives and wealth is perplexing to believers. It certainly was to Asaph, a Levite musician appointed by David to direct one of the temple choirs (1 Chronicles 15:16-17, 19).

Asaph fell into a funk when he contrasted the prosperity of the wicked with the difficulties of living a righteous life. In the 73^rd Psalm, he writes: "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

But then he drew close to the Lord and gained perspective: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end" (73:17).

Asaph began to understand God's view on the fate of the unrighteous. The ungodly are like a bad dream which one forgets upon awakening: "As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image" (73:20).

The psalmist now understands that the well-being of the wicked is temporary, and that those who are in rebellion against God will eventually suffer eternal death: "For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry" (73:27).

Those who put their hope in wealth and other worldly pleasures ultimately have no hope at all: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36).

The Lord awakened Asaph to the truth of an eternal perspective; believers will enjoy glorified bodies and eternal life.

Though our courage and faith may waver at times, and though our strength may fail, we can be assured that one day we will be raised to everlasting life and will serve the Lord forever.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).