When Good Things Happen to Bad People

1. When Good Things Happen to Bad People Why are the wicked getting rich whileI struggle? A study of Psalm 73

2. Asaph’s problem • Psalm 73 is written by Asaph • He is the leader of the singers of Israel • He is also a song writer • Asaph’s problem is spiritual bitterness. • Why are the wicked prospering? • Is living a faithful, upright, moral life worth it?

3. Same Issues Today

4. Same Issues Today • Why are we obsessed with celebrity? • Why do we feel tempted to cheat and steal or get some advantage? • Do you find yourself filled with envy of the rich and famous? • Have you thought that your faith and service to God is not practical?

5. Psalm 73:1 • A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. • God is good • God has blessed us, sent His Son • God has saved us • God is right, just, fair, honest – GOOD!

6. Psalm 73:2 • But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped • BUT - - - • I don’t like what I see around me • The wicked prosper / I struggle • The immoral are famous / I am a nobody

7. Psalm 73:3-4 • 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. • Movie stars, athletes, wealthy, rock stars = Prosperity of the wicked • They don’t seem to struggle when facing death

8. Psalm 73:5-6 • 5 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. • They don’t have problems like I do • They don’t suffer like others (me)

9. Psalm 73:7-8 • 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. • They have abundance, more money than they can spend in a lifetime • They live immoral lives and prosper

10. Psalm 73:9 • They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. • They denounce God, blaspheme • They openly discuss their immoral life on television • They speak against heaven and all things spiritual

11. Psalm 73:11-12 • 11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. • The rich and famous think – How does God know? • They are ungodly and increase in riches

12. Psalm 73:13 • Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. • Have I lived a faithful life for nothing? • 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Matthew 11:2-3

13. Psalm 73:16-17 • 16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-- 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. • Let’s admit it? We struggle with this • I didn’t understand why the wicked prosper • UNTIL – I turned to God

14. Look from God’s Viewpoint • We don’t always see the other side – God’s side • From Facebook – “Even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat.” • Reader’s Digest – “The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but their water bill is higher.”

15. Look from God’s Viewpoint • Peter made this mistake • 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:22-23

16. Look from God’s Viewpoint • Peter made this mistake • J. B. Phillips loose paraphrase - Then Jesus turned round and said to Peter, "Out of my way, Satan! ... you stand right in my path, Peter, when you look at things from man's point of view and not from God's"

17. Understand their end • 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. Psalms 73:18-19

18. Understand their end • MEGA-MILLIONS / POWER BALL • BUT - - Did you know that almost half of all who win $1 million or more file for bankruptcy within 5 years?

19. Understand their end • As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. Psalms 73:20 • You think they live a dream life? • It is really a nightmare!

20. Remember Your End • 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Psalms 73:23-24 • With God • God leads and guides me • He holds my hand • He will receive me into eternal life

21. Remember Your End • Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Psalms 73:25 • 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:67-69

22. Remember Your End • My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 • God is my strength • When I am weak, my heart fails – God is there

23. Remember Your End • Riches are temporary; God is forever • 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

24. Psalm 73:28 • But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works. • Back where we started – GOD IS GOOD!