Psalm 37:35

Why Does The Sinner Prosper?

"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree." (v. 35) 

I don't know how many times, as the Lord was nurturing me along, and "growing" me, that I wondered why the sinner prospered so, and I was having such a hard time. I think we have all complained this complaint at one time or another. David had observed the same thing, that the wicked magnify themselves against him and seem to often have the upper hand, but he knew also, that their day was coming. In fact, let's look at the next verse: "Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." (v. 36). Suddenly he was no more! That is how judgment comes to the ungodly, swift and sure. It often takes its time in coming, but when it does, it hits them like a ton of bricks, and their demise is greater than their prosperity was. Don't fret my friend, when the wicked mocks and laughs, and seems to always get the best of you, his day is coming. As the old-time preacher R.G.Lee said in his classic sermon, it's "Payday Some Day"; God's retribution is sure, and mighty. The wicked was in great power for a time, but soon his time is up, and the power of God will prevail. Jeremiah asks the same question in Jer. 12:1, as others have wondered down through the ages. Man doesn't always understand God's ways, but we can be assured that He is in control, He will make sure all is given that is due. The wheels of judgment grind slowly, but they do grind, and nothing is left but powder that blows away in the wind, and is no more. 

The bay tree is a huge tree that spreads its limbs many feet in any given direction. The idea is prosperity, and good health, "Largeness" of self and "standing tall" as one that is "on top of the world". How often men have thought that they were "king of the hill" and that nothing could bring them down. The Bible says that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." The proud will destroy himself with his own pride. His evil will be turned back on him, and he will soon be no more. How haughty they appear as they mock and jeer at us, and yet how frail they are in the end.  --Marty Dunn

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