RTW 2024

“Why do the wicked prosper,‍growing old and powerful?‍They live to see their children grow up and settle down,‍and they enjoy their grandchildren.‍Their homes are safe from every fear,‍and God does not punish them.‍Their bulls never fail to breed.‍Their cows bear calves and never miscarry.‍They let their children frisk about like lambs.‍Their little ones skip and dance.‍They sing with tambourine and harp.‍They celebrate to the sound of the flute.‍They spend their days in prosperity,‍then go down to the grave in peace.‍And yet 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?’

‍Job 21:7-15

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,‍and he will stand upon the earth at last.‍And after my body has decayed,‍yet in my body I will see God!‍I will see him for myself.‍Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.‍I am overwhelmed at the thought!

‍Job 19:25-27

• Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Job is asking: Why do good things happen to bad people?
• Let the whole Counsel of God teach us…let Scripture teach Scripture.
• Jeremiah 12:1-2
• Psalm 73
• Why do we envy the wicked?
• Maybe we are caught up in wanting a life of ease with no difficulties?
• Maybe we have lost sight of eternity?
• Do we forget that the wicked will only have “good things” for the short term, but they will suffer for eternity?
• We need to fix our perspective.
• Don’t worry about the wicked
  or envy those who do wrong.
  For like grass, they soon fade away.
  Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
  Trust in the Lord and do good.
  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
  Take delight in the Lord,
  and he will give you your heart’s desires.
  Commit everything you do to the Lord.
  Trust him, and he will help you.
  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
  and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
  Be still in the presence of the Lord,
  and wait patiently for him to act.
  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
  or fret about their wicked schemes.
  Psalm 37:1-7
• We want to see bad consequences for bad behavior.
• But even the wicked have a purpose to fulfill the plan of God.
• The best answer is: God loves sinners.
• We are wicked too…and He didn’t have us clean ourselves up in order to be saved.
• John 3:16
• Romans 5:8
• God is compassionate, merciful, and patient with the wicked because He wants them to be saved.

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We need to change our perspective: Suffering is for a season, God is for eternity.