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Why Are The Wicked Prospering?

”I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” Hab. 2:1

Habakkuk is an interesting prophet. In some ways, he was like Job - not that he was personally suffering, but that he looked around and saw the wicked prospering. Listen to his words from chapter one: "Why do You make me look at injustice? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? ...The Law is paralyzed and justice never prevails ...Why then do You tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Like Job, he, too, wondered why.

We may look around the world today and see the wicked prospering. In some ways, it seems more beneficial to be unrighteous than righteous. Does God care when His people suffer, and evil seems to win? We tend to think the world is in worse shape now than in times past. Immorality is higher; crime is higher; perversion is accepted as normal; babies are murdered by the millions. Our society calls evil good and good evil. We wonder if Christianity has made much impact at all. After 2,000 years of preaching the Gospel, why is our society in tatters? If we were to disciple nations, where are the effects of it?

Many people struggle with this view, especially when they have been victims of injustice. We find these agonizing questions in the Psalms, Job, and some of the prophets. The wicked seem to prosper; wickedness seems to win. Where is God? Doesn’t He care?

Finding Peace When The Wicked Are Prospering

Habakkuk presented this dilemma to God. Even when he was confused and didn't understand the purposes of God, he knew where to turn. Some people allow tormenting questions to drive them from God. It is better to take Habakkuk's approach. He brought his problem to God and decided to watch and see how God would answer him. He didn’t rush into despair but, in faith, waited for God’s answer. What would God say? Faith in God knows God has an answer whether we see it or not. God is not required to tell us anything.

We need to learn the secret of waiting on God for His answers. We live in a society that expects everything instantly, from microwave dinners to promotions. We have no patience. We want to understand the Bible in 24 hours. If God doesn't answer our prayers five minutes after we have prayed, then we don't think He answers prayer. [Maybe we'll be generous and give Him a day if it's a big request!] Like the world, we get caught up in “needing” everything now! But God is not in a hurry. He wants those who will wait for Him. Relationships take time; they are not instant. When we, like Habakkuk, are willing to stand and watch, we will hear what God has to say. God may still not give us all the answers, but there will be peace in our hearts and a growing relationship which will build confidence in our lives.

Are things worse today than in centuries past? We get so caught up in the world in which we live that we romanticize what has gone before. Today's media keeps us in touch with all the bad things happening, so we are more aware than previous generations of evil worldwide. But consider that before the flood, there was only one righteous man in a world with a population of millions. The evil was so great that God judged and destroyed everyone except for eight people. The Old Testament days were dark days. The Light of God's Grace was limited. Even in Israel, which was the only nation that had any Light from God, human child sacrifices were sometimes practiced, as well as every other kind of evil. During the times of Jesus, immorality ran wild throughout society, including among the religious rulers. Political corruption in government and religion was commonplace. And so on...

Yes, things are bad today in many ways, but if you take an overview of history, we have come a long way in 2,000 years. Christianity has made an impact. Christians have founded schools, hospitals, orphanages, and charities. The Good News is going around the world. Christianity has grown from one Person and twelve disciples to almost half the world's population identifying as Christian. This mighty Kingdom of God will continue to grow and develop until the knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. The wicked prospering is a short-term event, not a long-term one. The judgment of God will come on them, and justice will be done. The mercy of God gives them an opportunity to repent, even as it has given us a chance to turn to God. None of us stand righteous before God on our own works.

For more information about Glenn Davis, see our About Glenn page or visit Glenn Davis Books.

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