My Journey Day 13 Why do evil people prosper?

Day 13 - Why do evil people prosper?

Readings Psalm 13, 43, 73, 103, 133

I found out that another friend is in the hospital and a biopsy is being taken this morning. Lord, please listen to the prayers for this godly good woman. Deliver her from this and bring her to complete healing.

Psalm 13 David is calling God out to answer his prayers, to deliver him from his enemies. He wonders how long ago did God forget him? “Will you forget me forever?” What is so amazing is that in his prolonged trial, David ends with praise, “But I will trust your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.” He has not gotten resolution and yet David says, “But”. In contrast to my circumstances I know without doubt I will trust, even though I don’t see any help, “God is good”. That is a mature faith, one that is not shaken or moved by circumstances. I want mature faith.

Psalm 43 is almost identical to 13. “Why must I go about mourning?” the answer to his suffering is stated as “Send forth your light and your truth to let them guide me . . then I will go to the alter of God, I will praise you.” David knows getting His light in the midst of trouble is the answer, praise of God in the midst of tribulation is salvation.

Psalm 73 is another favorite. It has such an honest and real description of Asaph’s struggle with envy of the wicked man. He says that God is good to the “pure in heart but as for me I almost slipped”. Asaph admits he is not pure and how he convinced that He had been pure in vain because of the success he saw of the wicked. As he seriously considered sin, he realized that it would hurt others and then came the answer, he entered the sanctuary of God and his perspective changed. I believe that spiritual worship with others is critical to the walk with God. It softens us and changes our perspective. Asaph has these great words of comfort,vs. 23-24 “Yet I am always with you,; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with our counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. . . vs. 28 “But as for me, it is good to be near God, I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

This journal is getting long, really long but these psalms today are amazing,

103:3 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

I could just quote the whole Psalm . . remember this one!

Proverbs 13 is another reminder for a son to remember his father’s words.

Topics covered include

1. Lazy will keep hungry, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied

2. Guard your lips or they can ruin you.

3. Righteousness guards the man of integrity and truth

4. Pride brings division but wisdom is found by those who take advice

5. Dishonest money dwindles away but he who saves makes it grow

6. He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects command is rewarded

7. A father that loves his son is careful to discipline.

So much to comment on. I hope I can translate these in simple words to my kids. Help me Lord make these proverbs part of my vocabulary so that I too can teach my children as Solomon did.

Lord, you listened to my prayer yesterday and delivered us. Thank you. May my heart be turned to you this week in repentance, humility and wisdom.