Then I realized I was bitter and I was all torn up inside....

Have you ever wondered why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer? Have you ever been mad at God that people like Hugh Hefner and Donald Trump have billions when you struggle so much from day to day just to survive? I have to confess that this a thought that creeps into my mind when I sit down and look at the check book and wonder how this month is going to work out. With Brandon's grandfather ill and the expense of the unexpected trips to Kansas City the last month this thought has been on my mind more and more. So why is it that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. Amazingly God answered this question for me a couple of days ago. Bear with me a minute while I take you through Psalm 73 and at the end you will also have the answer to this question.
"Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts or PURE. But as for me, I almost lost my footing, my feet were slipping, and I was almost gone, for I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives, their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people, they're not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats HAVE EVERYTHING THIER HEARTS COULD EVER WISH FOR! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to CRUSH OTHERS. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused drinking in all their words. "WHAT DOES GOD KNOW?" they ask. "DOES THE MOST HIGH EVEN KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Look at these wicked people enjoying a life of ease while their RICHES MULTIPLY? "DID I KEEP MY HEART PURE FOR NOTHING? DID I KEEP MYSELF INNOCENT FOR NO REASON?" I get NOTHING but TROUBLE all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally UNDERSTOOD THE DESTINY OF THE WICKED." Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at the dreams in the morning. THEN I REALIZED that my heart was BITTER, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still BELONG TO YOU; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your council, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart. he is MINE FOREVER. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."


After reading such a passage how can I now envy the wicked. Their destiny is the wrath of God where mine is the be in his glory for eternity. I might struggle here on earth, but I will be rewarded for my faithfulness. I am now convicted when I think that I deserve more than that, I sound like a "senseless animal" to God, and that those who do not belong to him will see his wrath. They will be judged for the wicked they do. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to my family. Praise him for our Salvation, which is worth more than any riches that can be found on this earth.