Sometimes it seems that evil prevails and that the good people of this world are taken for granted. Coworkers may launch themselves above others by taking credit for others’ hard work or by spreading lies about others to boost their own image. Someone may pose as a concerned businessman seeking what is best for an elderly widow only to rob her blind by a bogus contract.
Some elected officials pretend to be the voice of the people while secretly stuffing their pockets through underhanded transactions. Lies, murder, theft, homosexuality, abortion, pornography and everything under the sun (to borrow a phrase from Solomon) is done without shame in broad daylight. The Lord has set forth clear guidelines in His Word and has promised His blessings, but how do we come to terms with the fact that those who habitually practice wickedness seem to prosper?
There is a saying that is commonly known: “Nice guys finish last.” Do we believe this to be true? Have we ever told someone that they are “too nice” or “too good” and therefore they will never get ahead? Is this a Biblical or worldly teaching?
We must turn to the Scriptures to learn the answers to these questions. Human reason or conscience or good sense are not reliable sources if they are not based upon God’s Word. One of the proverbs advises that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12. Elsewhere in Proverbs, we are commanded to “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:3-7
II Peter 2:9-10 reveals that God knows how to rescue us from trials and will preserve us: “…the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.”
Nice guys, in the end, will not finish last if they obey God and seek to do His will. While a person who does good and is kind may be taken for granted on the earth, he (or she) will be rewarded for their goodness when Jesus returns to the earth. We must keep in mind that “the faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his” (Proverbs 14:14).
The Bible reveals God’s will and the reason that the evil seem to prosper. We see by reading today’s passage in Psalm 37 that although it appears the wicked are flourishing, their days are numbered if they do not repent. He will not let the righteous suffer forever, but He has not destroyed the world yet because He wants everyone to be saved. Every day that we awake healthy and of sound mind, we are given another opportunity to repent of our sins and seek His salvation. Every day that we decide not to do so is another opportunity from the Lord that we have wasted. We are not promised another day, another minute, or another second of life so we must take advantage of the opportunities that God gives us.
Do not worry that the wicked go unpunished because assuredly God is not blind to evil. One day, He will require an account of everyone and He will be just in His judgment. It should be a very sobering thought that every one of us will be judged for every idle word we speak. Jesus Christ, our Savior and He who will return on the Day of Judgment warned that “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:35-37. While we examine others’ actions, we must be careful to examine ours first.
Although the world around us is filled with evil thoughts and actions, we can rest in the fact that God sees everything and will correct the scales of justice in the end. Until then, we must try our best to teach others of the terrible day that awaits them if they do not repent, while making sure that we are striving to obey God’s Word as well.
The words of Psalm 37 tell us in great detail what we need to know in order to live in peace and comfort while living in a land of wickedness. Let us trust in God to prevail in His time and not ours.
Psalm 37
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of
peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”
