Today we read from the following verses in the One Year Bible:
Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
Luke 9:28-50
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 12:10
And let's actually read this Psalm together:
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.[a]
5 They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity[b];
their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.[c]
11 They say, “How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?”
12 This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Do you see what I'm seeing here? You might be frustrated with God because you see evil people in this world making tons of money and buying everything they want, and doing terrible things to people, and getting away with it over and over! I don't need to name names. You know who is doing all of these evil things. But it should make you feel better that this is nothing new! The Psalmist probably wrote this around 3,000 years ago. And it was as true then as it is now. That it's easy for us to look at the wicked and think, "God, what are you doing??" But then, when all the story is told, we find that justice and mercy and love all have their say, and God has woven everything perfectly into a beautiful work of art.
Don't worry - the story isn't over yet. Like the Psalmist says - make HIM your portion, and you'll always be satisfied.
God, thanks for teaching us that there's nothing new about evil people prospering.
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