If you have never said it, you probably have thought it: “The bad guys always seem to get away with everything!”
When we look through the scriptures, we find this theme discussed often in the book of Psalms, in the book of Proverbs, and elsewhere. Although it can be disheartening, Proverbs provides a principle that you and I need to hold on to. Quite honestly, we are likely to see this played out in our families, workplaces, on campuses, and throughout the world. However, while evil behavior seems to thrive without repercussions, the Bible encourages us that this is not the end.
Proverbs 14:19 reads, “The evil will bow down before the good and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.”
Psalm 1 also describes this contrast. The wicked are going to be “like chaff which the wind blows away,” but the righteous are going to be “like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
We are going to see wicked people, and they are going to seem as though they “get away with murder,” but ultimately, the wicked will bow down before the righteous.
This truth is repeatedly emphasized in Scripture. Daniel, for example, was a man who sought the Lord and humbled himself. He was righteous before God, and those around him greatly resented that the hand of God was upon him. Daniel was at the highest levels of government when a dark plot was put into action to set up his demise. They went to the king and advised him: “Establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.”
Daniel did the right thing; he continued to worship God, and through the trap of his enemies, he was thrown into the lion’s den. However, that was not the end. Before it was all said and done, it was the bad guys who were eaten by the lions. God preserved Daniel, the righteous man, and there is a revival at the highest levels of leadership in the government.
Friends, we can trust God. The principle is true: the bad guys may momentarily thrive, but they will bow down before the righteous. Keep seeking God, honoring Him, and don’t give upโdon’t join the bad guys in their wickedness! We can trust God.
Father, I pray for us as we are tempted day and day to join in with the wicked. Give us grace. Give us strength. Help us to remember this principleโthat the wicked are going to perish like the chaff, but we can trust you. God help us to walk by faith. We pray it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friends, hold on to Jesus. Hold on to His promise. Hold on to His presence. He is going to carry you through.
