"Why do bad things happen to good people while the wicked seem to prosper?"
Introduction
"Why do bad things happen to good people while the wicked seem to prosper?" is as old as humanity itself.
Even King David grappled with this dilemma in his writings. It's a profound and complex issue that challenges our understanding of fairness and justice in a world governed by an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good God.
Yet, amidst this complexity, we serve a God who never sleeps nor slumbers, and who has set forth His purposes for the righteous.
God's Promise to the Righteous
Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV)
"The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom."
a. Divine Favor: God promises to elevate the righteous, ensuring their success and leadership.
Psalm 23:1 (NIV) "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."
a. Provision and Care: God’s promise of provision and care ensures that His people will not want for anything essential.
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The Reality of a Sinful World
In this world marred by sin, we encounter lack, disease, failure, wars, and famines. This reality might seem negative, but it's important to understand that nothing happens by chance. Everything is under the sovereign control of God, who has a plan and purpose for all things.
Psalm 119:68 (NIV) "You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees."
a. God's Goodness: Everything God does is rooted in His inherent goodness.
1 John 1:5 (NIV) "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."
a. Absolute Purity: God’s nature is pure
and devoid of any darkness, ensuring His actions are always just.
Revelation 1:8 (NIV) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
a. Omnipotence: God's omnipotence assures us that He has control over all situations, past, present, and future.
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The Story of Job
Job 1:8 (NIV) "Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
a. God’s Sovereignty: God acknowledges Job's righteousness and controls the extent of his trials.
Job 1:21 (NIV) "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
a. Job’s Faith: Despite his suffering, Job recognizes God’s sovereignty and maintains his faith without blaming God.
Job’s Restoration and
Blessing
Despite Job's immense suffering and losses, his story concludes with a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness and restoration.
Job 42:10 (NIV) "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before."
a. Complete Restoration: God not only restored Job’s previous wealth but blessed him with double of what he had lost.
Job 42:12 (NIV) "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys."
a. Abundant Blessing: This scripture highlights the abundant blessings Job received, showcasing God’s generosity and faithfulness.
Job’s story serves as a wonderful reminder that God’s plans for His people ultimately lead to restoration and blessing, even after periods of intense trial and suffering.
Prosperity of the Wicked
At times, the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous suffer. This perceived imbalance challenges our understanding of success and prosperity.
Psalm 37:1-4 (NIV) "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
a. Ultimate Justice: The prosperity of the wicked is temporary, while the rewards for the righteous are eternal.
Proverbs 13:11 (NIV) "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow."
a. Integrity in Prosperity: True and lasting prosperity comes from honest means, as God blesses those who accumulate wealth righteously.
Eternal Perspective
As believers, our ultimate hope and reward lie beyond this earthly life. Even if we face hardships here, we are assured of eternal joy and peace in heaven.
Psalm 23:6 (NIV) "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
a. Enduring Goodness: God’s goodness and mercy accompany us throughout our lives, culminating in eternal fellowship with Him.
John 14:2 (NIV) "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
a.Heavenly Promise:
Jesus assures us of a place in heaven, emphasizing the eternal perspective that transcends earthly trials.
Conclusion
In a world fraught with suffering and seeming injustice, the question of why bad things happen to good people is a profound one.
Yet, the Bible provides comfort and clarity, reminding us of God's sovereignty, goodness, and ultimate plan.
The story of Job teaches us that God’s control extends over all circumstances, while scriptures like Psalm 37 and John 14 assure us of the temporary nature of earthly trials and the eternal rewards awaiting the faithful.
As we navigate
life's challenges, let us hold steadfastly to the promises of God, trusting
that His plans are for our ultimate good and eternal joy. Remember, the
prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, but the righteousness of God endures
forever.
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