Psalm 73:1-9 “A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.”

There are a couple of self-evident truths presented in this passage. First, when evil triumphs, it becomes even more evil. Getting away with something bad generally leads to doing more bad things. Second, when we see evil getting away with it, we get disheartened. We might wonder, “What is the point in being good? If evil gets rewarded, what is the benefit of being pure?”

As we’ll find out, just because we don’t see evil being punished in this life, doesn’t mean that it won’t be in the future. We need to keep our eyes on God and continue to keep His commands. We have been promised blessings, but not always in this life!

Matthew 19:28-30 “Jesus said to them, ‘Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.’ “

For additional worship: The Nearness of God (Psalm 73)