The Perspective of God’s People

The psalmist Asaph struggled with the age-old question of why the wicked prosper. In Psalm 73 he wrote, “But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness” (verses 2–3 NLT).

We live in a time when people celebrate and flaunt ungodly lifestyles. And like Asaph, we wonder how long they’re going to get away with it. As followers of Christ, we try to live by God’s Word, and people mock us for it. So, we say, “This just isn’t fair. That’s a horrible thing they’re doing. They shouldn’t be able to get away with that.”

David, too, reflected on the life of the godly and the ungodly and contrasted them. He looked at the priorities they have. And in Psalm 5 he wrote, “You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers. Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe” (verses 6–7 NLT).

David was saying, “Nonbelievers can do what they want to do and live the way they want to live. But I’m going to go to the house of the Lord.”

Asaph arrived at a similar conclusion. He wrote, “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction” (Psalm 73:17–18 NLT).

When we gather with God’s people and study God’s Word together, we will see the big picture. We will realize that sin eventually catches up with everyone. And as followers of Jesus Christ, we will know that we’ve made the right choice.

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