Do Not Fret When You See the Wicked Prosper
“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 carries out wicked schemes (Ps 37:7).”
The criminal behavior of our elected and non-elected government officials is expected. Their being above the law of the land should be expected, too. Why do people fret when they see wicked bureaucrats get rich from their government jobs?
Jeremiah prayed, “Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease (Jer 12:1)?” The context of the prophet’s prayer is the destruction of Israel at the hands of the Babylonians. God’s reply is simply, “I have forsaken My house (Jer 12:7a).” If God disciplines His own people with such severity, what does He intend for the wicked nations and their rulers?
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Prv 14:34). Watching corrupt politicians frolic in the sea of popularity is grievous to my sense of justice. America claims it lives by the rule of law, but watching corrupt judges overturn the will of the people has become customary fare. We the people elect corrupt politicians, who appoint corrupt judges. The rule of law is only as good as those who are upholding and enforcing it.
Clearly, corrupt government officials do not hold one another accountable to the rule of law, so there is lawlessness from the top down. Thus, the whole thing is a travesty. I suppose I am waiting for my now daily dose of Islamic terror or a Gay Pride parade to re-direct my fret anyway from politics. Is there something we should know?
Evil must run its course in God’s predetermined plan (Prv 16:4; Acts 2:23). I enjoy college football, and I like a good competitive match up. When the devil gives us a good fight, we do not enjoy it so much. We must recognize, the victor in competition is glorified more by heated rivalry. Christ is glorified more when the devil does his best work. Intriguingly, tearing down rogue human empires is a joint work between God and the devil.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan (Prv 29:2). When God judges a nation, He will give it wicked, godless rulers. Wicked rulers are inspired by their father the devil (Jn 8:44). When the people want righteousness, they will cry out to God in the midst of their oppression, like Israel did in Egypt. They will be bold in standing up to corrupt leaders, like Moses did to Pharaoh or as Mordecai did to Haman. The people will look for their deliverer.
Christians must point people to the only deliverer, Jesus Christ. He is the righteous King (Is 9:7). He rules over all (Mt 28:18; Acts 10:36), and His kingdom is in conflict with the corrupt kingdom of this world (Ps 110:1; Lk 20:43). Jesus is the righteous Judge of all (Is 11:4; Acts 17:31).
The writer of Hebrews notes that it is appointed once for a man to die, and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27). The judgment occurs at the bema seat of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11). He is just in all of His judgments (Jn 5:30). It is the wicked who will be raised from the dead on the last day unto judgment (Jn 5:28–29).
The law of God was established for all people to know their disposition. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). We are all under condemnation (Jn 3:18). Without God’s merciful salvation (Rom 9:15, 18), a person can only expect the fruit of condemnation, which is eternal destruction (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). Corrupt American politics is only a foretaste of hell, and there is no hope of new leadership there.
Today, some evil governor, representative, senator, vice-president, or president will tell the American people they just need to move on from this week’s scandal. The media will also encourage us to move on from this week’s flavor of corruption. Edward Snowden will rightfully shake his head somewhere in Russia. I suppose I need to move on, too. It is better for my health.
Is there any solace in any of this? We must suffer the wicked for a season. We must listen to their lies for a time. Christians can rest in the Lord because of the promises of His Word. His Word is true (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17). When He comes again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5), His kingdom will have no end (Ps 145:13; Dan 4:3, 34; 7:14, 27). It will be marked with righteousness and justice, and His people will rejoice in gladness, forever. In this we can rest.
David E. Norczyk
Hillsboro, Oregon
May 13, 2021
