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QUESTION 35:
If God is so good to His people, why do the wicked prosper while they have their hardships?

ANSWER:
This is exactly what David, a man after God's own heart, said in Psalms 73.

When he saw the prosperity of the wicked, (Psalms 73:3) he saw they had no hardships even in death. (Psalms 73:4). They had no plagues in life. (Psalms 73:5). They had everything they wanted. (Psalms 73:7). They even spoke out against God. (Psalms 73:8-9). "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase their riches." (Psalms 73:12) On the other hand, he speaks of his own troubles in (Psalms 73:13-15). He is totally baffled when he says, "When I thought to know this, it was too painful to me;" (Psalms 73:16). Here David found the answer. "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; Thou castedst them down into destruction." (Psalms 73:17-19). In a moment they are utterly consumed with terrors. God has not dealt with man in judgment now. This is the day of His salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2). "And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). Payday will come. A sad end to the wicked. David adds, "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee." (Psalms 73:22) "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalms 73:24).

What about you? Are you getting on well in the world but losing your soul for eternity? What have you done with Christ? To reject Him means you will be lost forever. To neglect Him is also fatal. (Hebrews 2:3.). "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation." If you receive Him you WILL be saved. (John 1:12-13).

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen