Temporary Prosperity

"Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?...they say to God, 'Go away. We want no part of You and Your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey Him? What good will it do us to pray?' (They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)" Job 21:7, 14-16

There is a danger in watching those whose lives appear to be prosperous here on earth. They are man-made wonders who pride themselves in the success they have achieved. They have built their own personal empires and are living without any apparent cares. Relishing in their own accomplishments they feel they are better off without the Lord. They have no need for Him in their lives. Job even observes later in the same chapter, "Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster."

We can't deny that it does often appear that wicked people flourish while those who intentionally follow the Lord seem to go from struggle to struggle. It can be difficult to watch the evil escaping hardship. There are Christ-followers, who, observing the outward ease of life of unbelievers, have sadly abandoned faith when their days became filled with heartaches and disappointments. Watching any life intently, other than Christ's, can be to our own harm. The comparison trap is set, and more often than not, we fall into it. 

I absolutely love how Job considers what he sees happening around him, and although his thoughts could pursue a path that would be to his detriment, he firmly resolved to have nothing to do with that kind of thinking. Oh, how many times do we also need to arrest the perceptions and assumptions that fill our minds. There can be a constant bombardment of questions and doubts that rise from hurt and confusion when we see the wicked prospering. 

There certainly appear to be many injustices in this world. There are those who reject God and live comfortable and peaceful lives. We all probably know someone who is not walking with the Lord yet living carefree, with wealth that surpasses needs. However, the things of this world can never begin to bring us more joy than knowing Jesus. 

While writing this a friend messaged me. She has had a couple of weeks of frustration dealing with multiple issues. She shared in detail all the struggles that have been mounting, yet the Lord has given her a deeper trust and joy in Him as He has invited her to praise Him in each storm. Although generally a "cup half empty" personality, the Lord is teaching her to drink from her saucer as His blessings begin to overflow. Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, sufferings that accompany our calling as Christians, we can express gratitude to the Lord for He never leaves us or forsakes us.

We sometimes develop a false doctrine when we equate blessings with righteousness and suffering with evil. Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:45 that God "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Those who have nothing to do with Christ in this life will benefit from His goodness here on earth, but there will be a time of judgment in the future.

Like Job, we must protect our thoughts from chasing a line of thinking based on impressions formed by what we conceive to be true. Even when the facts are accurate, we can't allow what appears, to dictate our response. Job recognized, as did the prophet in Zechariah 4:6, that it is not our wealth or our power that causes us to flourish. It is God alone who gives and enables both the just and the unjust to keep any of the blessings we receive from His hand. Even when wickedness around us escalates, we remember with Job that our Redeemer lives and one day all evil will be extinguished and justice will be executed.