"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass."
Psalm 37:7
Things seem to be upside down as one looks at the world and can't help but notice that the wise and worldly and wealthy of the world seem to prosper, and those who follow the Lord many times are the lowly. Why is this so?
There's a reason. A very real reason.
From the beginning, God's creation was "good," and Adam was given the rights over the earth. But when Satan succeeded in getting Adam to sin, that rebellion let sin enter the world and gave to Satan the rights over the earth. Satan became "the god of this world" (2nd Corinthians 4:4). His followers are "the rulers of the darkness of this age" (Ephesians 6:12). So what would anyone expect as a result of this? Satan has blinded and corrupted them.
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD has blinded the minds of unbelievers...
2nd Corinthians 4:4
"...according to THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience..."
Ephesians 2:2
So the whole world is under Satan's dominion, and that's why everything is the opposite of what it should be. One needs to understand this thoroughly before it will make sense that evil men prosper, and that they prosper by evil scheming and careful planning in order to get their way and not be found out. This is so obvious, isn't it? How evident this is in the governments of this world! And evil men aren't content only to prosper, but they hate those who follow the Lord, just as Cain hated Abel.
"The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
The Lord laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming."
Psalm 37: 12-13
It's only for a time. Jesus obtained the rights to the earth when he gave himself in sacrifice for our redemption. When he returns, the whole thing will be reversed and "the last shall be first and the first last" (Matthew 20:16).
We need to remember this when we see the wicked prosper, and it must not be grievous to us because yet a little while and it's all going to change. It's important therefore, not to become bitter over what we presently see. Satan will assault every born-again believer with hateful thoughts and feelings of anger, but resist that because it only hurts you, not them.
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret - it only causes harm."
Psalm 37:8
Instead, focus your mind on the things of God. Worship and praise him. Delight yourself with the remembrance of all he has done for you, enjoy the knowledge of his love for you, and rest in the promises he has made for the future.
vs 10:
"For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more."
It's all going to change. Totally. And forever.
In the meantime, trust the Lord:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;
and THE PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding,
will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
"The secret things belong to the Lord our God,
but those things which are revealed
belong to us and to our children forever,
that we may do all the words of this law."
Deuteronomy 29:29
As we walk on our journey through this life, we will encounter a lot of unexplainable things which may make us question God. The eternal "why's." Job, a man grievously stricken with tragedy, refused to question God. Friends of his came to comfort him in his grief and they suggested all kinds of reasons why Job had these calamities come upon him. At the end of the story, God was angry with those friends because they were wrong in their conclusions of why these things came upon Job. In other words, we cannot always know the reasons behind things, because God's ways are far more complicated than we have any idea. God sees with a perspective that we do not have, therefore we have to leave the "why's" with him. Job did exactly that.
"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head,
and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away,
blessed be the name of the Lord.'
In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.'"
Job 1:20-22
It is the pride and arrogance of man to demand from God to know his reasons for things, with the unspoken threat that if he doesn't reveal the reason, the man will harbor in his heart the belief that God is unjust. God has said throughout his Word that he is the God of justice, of love, of faithfulness. Sometimes he allows bad things to happen to good people, and he does not owe us an explanation. If you have an argument with God, know perfectly that the fault is with you and not with God. It behooves all believers to trust in the INTEGRITY of God. He will answer all our questions later, but for now we must surrender to his will as Job did, knowing that God is not unjust.
Here is a detail that many miss when reading the story of Job. We are told in chapter 1 of the Book of Job, how many sheep, camels, yokes of oxen, and female donkeys Job had - and lost them all. At the end of the story, in chapter 42, God restores to Job DOUBLE of all that he lost. A double number of sheep, a double number of camels, a double number of oxen, a double number of donkeys. But - whereas he had lost his children, seven sons and three daughters, when God restored Job he did not double the number of children he went on to have. Seven more sons and three more daughters were born to him, the same number of children that he lost. Why did God restore double the number of everything else, but only the same number of children that would be born to him? The answer is that Job did not lose the original sons and daughters forever. They were very much alive in heaven and he would be reunited with them, so that in heaven Job will have the double number, the original number and the number of the ones born later. 14 sons and 6 daughters.
The secret things belong to the Lord, and we have to leave it at that, that is his prerogative. He wants to know the attitude of our heart, whether we will judge him wrongly, or whether we will believe in his integrity and trust him no matter what. It all turns out right in the end, for those who trust him without having to know “why” when suffering comes.
Do not be among those who will be ashamed on the day they stand before God and come to know the why's and wherefore's - and who will drop their head and say, "oh wow, now I get it, now I understand, I wish I had trusted you." No. Trust him now. Many didn't pass that test and entered an eternity of regret. Don't make the same mistake.
"Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
and put perverse lips far from you."
Proverbs 4:24
Believers are called out to be different from the world. Indeed, the word "church" in the Greek is "ecclesia," which means "called out ones." How can believers be that light in the darkness if they are like the world? Strive with all that is in you to be above reproach because you represent the Lord God in front of all, and be sure – they’re watching.
"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:5-6
Keep yourself focused on your walk before the world and do not waver. They are watching for you to stumble so they can accuse you at the slightest deviance from the right path. Pray always for wisdom and grace that you might be a witness to them instead. Let your light so shine before them that they will be convicted of their own sin and perhaps come to repentance.
"Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
If you set your mind to do this, it will not be difficult because you have the Spirit of the living God within you. Walk according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, being careful not to grieve him, being careful not to shame him. Keep control of your temper and show kindness and mercy.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Ephesians 4:30
Above all, stay away from all that is evil. Don’t be seen in places that they would judge you for. Remember your call, remember whom you represent, and walk worthy of him.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead,
and your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;"
Proverbs 4:25-26
You are called to be that light on a hill, to be in the position of calling the world to salvation. Be that therefore, and always keep in your heart the mission you have been given. You could make an eternal difference to someone by the way you represent Christ.
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God were pleading through us:
we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God."
2nd Corinthians 5:20
And truly God IS pleading through us, imploring those around us to be reconciled to him. Work with him, not against him.
The reward ...is forever.
For you ...and for them.