wicked

WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER?

How often have we heard, during our Christian walk that being a Christian is hard? That doing the right thing, trying to serve God to our best ability is a conscious effort. That obeying God doesn't come naturally. That our vain nature - our 'flesh' cleaves to the one thing that we despise in ourselves; our tendency to sin and sin some more....

As a young Christian, statements like this would leave me questioning "Why is it so hard? What do we have to do? How do we have to be? Surely, it can't be that hard? Salvation, accepting God's gift to man was simple, why are these 'older' Christians claiming that their servanthood to God is a hard one? They can't be serious....."

But.... they are. Very serious in fact.

The more I ask the Lord to show me the Truth, lead me in His ways, do His will - the harder it is for me to 'live' His will. True to the Lord's promises - I asked and He is showing me, teaching me. The more I learn, the more I am convicted and committed. Why is it hard for me? It's not so much the 'doing', but the 'being'. It is my attitude which causes me to be ever conscious. It is my attitude that I know needs correction, with the Lord's help.

Have you ever really considered your situation, circumstances, the people in your life; your friends, family, acquaintances? Even the people you don't know of - what they do, how they are. It's like 'us' and 'them', isn't it? We, the Christians, and Them, the non-Christians - otherwise known as 'the Wicked'. That's quite a harsh title, isn't it - 'The Wicked'. And yet, this is the title the Lord God uses. Imagine that sweet old lady in her candy-floss coloured twin set, wispy curls, framing her peach-complexioned face. Kind eyes, thin, posed lips. A delicate soft voice that gleefully tells you of her large family, life of hardship, her many grandchildren. It's hard to think of her as one of 'The Wicked' isn't it?

Recently, I have been thinking about 'the Wicked'. A lot. I've been contemplating God's love, His patience. If *I* were God, I know I wouldn't be so loving, so patient. It's hard for me to accept the things the wicked do to me. It's hard for me to accept the things the wicked do to my family. Sometimes, I find it hard when the wicked prosper. Not monetary prosperity, but in all aspects of life. I question my own heart: am I envious? Do I wish them harm? No! And yet........ what is it? Is it just me?

I turn to His Word, as I know all life's answers are there. Life itself is there. The Book of Psalms, which, in my 'younger Christian' days I considered the 'beautiful poetry of King David', I now claim as my own. I hear myself crying out to the Lord. I know the anguish, I know the fear, I know the passion........Psalms are mine! I tell my Heavenly Father this. I thank Him. He shows me Chapter 37:

1. "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."

How did you know, Father? How did you know these thoughts invade me?

2. "For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb"

I look at the devastation of my sun-burned garden. Withered, dead. Desolate. What a fearful thing to be cut down and wither at the Hand of Almighty God.

3. "Trust in the Lord, and do good;"

Oh, Father, I'm trying.... help me?

"so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

Thankyou, Lord

4. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Who, me? My desires? My HEART's desires?

5. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass"

I choose your way, dear Lord. Teach me to trust you, so that my heart will be fixed, that I KNOW you will bring it to pass.

7. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him;"

Patience, patience - I need to be patient. I will pray for patience!

"fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass"

Yet again, you know, Father, the attitude of my heart. And because you loved the world, I know that your Word is for all. I now know that there are more of your children with the same thoughts as I. You have many children, and yet - you treat me like the only child.

8. "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil"

Yes, Lord - I am purposed to obey you. I pray for your guidance.

10. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be".

Gulp....

12. "The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth"

Father, this is exactly how I've felt. That some people just can't bear us, and instigate all manner of strife. You knew this before the world began. This is part of Your plan.

14. "The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation"

Upright conversation. That's those with an upright lifestyle, isn't it, Lord? Could I EVER qualify? Do you consider me upright?

21. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth"

Father, this is what I strive to do, please help me, change my heart to continue, wilfully to - show that mercy, that mildness and tenderness of heart. Help me to strive to overlook injuries and to treat those who have offended me better, despite what they do/ have done to me. Help me to forgive, keep bitterness from me.

And because I have asked, and because you know my heart, I can be confident in Your Word which continues.....

23. "The steps of a good man (woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way".

You'll delight in *me*? Glory! What must I do, Lord?

27. "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore."

Yes, Father.

32. "The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him"

34. "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, though shalt see it"

37. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace".

Oh, that is what I seek, that is what I desire. Not only for myself, but for those I love. Sweet peace.

39 & 40 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him".

May we ever feast on the promises of the Almighty God!

I pray that whenever, if ever you are overwhelmed with "Why do the wicked prosper", that you will seek your Heavenly Father, so that His Words will breath merriment in your soul.

With love,
Helen