How should believers respond to the temporary prosperity of the wicked? Setting the Scene Psalm 92 celebrates God’s faithfulness and justice. Verse 7 puts the spotlight on a puzzle many believers feel: evil people sometimes seem to thrive. The psalm immediately reframes that picture, reminding us their success is as brief as summer grass. What the Lord Declares in Psalm 92:7 “Though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.” Key observations: • “Sprout like grass” – rapid, noticeable growth. • “All evildoers flourish” – their influence can look widespread. • “They will be forever destroyed” – decisive, irreversible judgment. Why the Prosperity Is Only Temporary • God’s justice timetable is perfect (2 Peter 3:9). • Earthly wealth or fame has an expiration date (Luke 12:20). • Final judgment is certain (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11–15). Cross-references: • Psalm 37:1–2 – “they wither quickly like grass.” • Psalm 73:17–19 – “You set them on slippery ground.” • James 5:5 – “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence … You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” How God Calls Us to Respond 1. Refuse anxiety • “Do not fret because of evildoers” (Psalm 37:1). • Worry drains spiritual energy and questions God’s sovereignty. 2. Keep perspective • “Until I entered the sanctuary of God” (Psalm 73:17) – worship realigns vision. • Remember eternity every time headlines celebrate wicked success. 3. Stay faithful and productive • “Trust in the LORD and do good” (Psalm 37:3). • Our calling doesn’t change because culture applauds sin. 4. Guard your heart from envy • Proverbs 24:19–20 warns envy is misplaced; “the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.” • Contentment in Christ silences jealousy (Philippians 4:11–13). 5. Pray for their repentance • God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). • Temporary prosperity can be an opportunity for mercy before judgment. Promises That Anchor Our Hearts • God “will repay with affliction those who afflict you” (2 Thessalonians 1:6). • “The earth is full of the loving devotion of the LORD” (Psalm 33:5) – His goodness isn’t eclipsed by evil successes. • “In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13). Walking It Out Today • When you notice corruption rewarded, speak Psalm 92:7 aloud. • Replace scrolling that fuels frustration with time in worship and Scripture. • Celebrate every evidence of God’s goodness in your life—gratitude locks envy out. • Invest in eternal treasure through generosity and service (Matthew 6:19–21). • Encourage fellow believers: remind them that the grass may look green, but it burns fast under the heat of divine justice. Believers stand on the unshakable certainty that God’s verdict will outlast every headline. Temporary prosperity cannot compete with eternal glory. |
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