Psalm 37:35-40 “I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.”

Generally, if the Israelites followed God as individuals or a nation, they could expect to reap rewards. However, that wasn’t always the case. God did promise blessings for His people, but those blessings were usually tied to their obedience. In addition, sometimes bad things happened to good people and bad people experienced prosperity. The issue of the prosperity of the unrighteous has always been recognized in Scripture. Here we’re reminded that, no matter what happens in life, death comes to all, and only the righteous are promised salvation and a future.

For additional worship: Beyond the Sunset