Return to the Devotionals page.
During the most tempestuous and traumatic season of his life, Job received little hope or comfort from those around him, especially his three friends. What began as a well-intended visit from these men devolved into spiteful ramblings and verbal slander against their friend. Their descent into this vitriolic behavior occurred because they assumed that suffering, loss, and tribulation were things God only allowed the unrighteous to experience.
However, human history and the Scripture's teachings clearly disprove this assumption. Studying the former alone shows how countless wicked rulers, criminals, and other evil people enjoyed long, prosperous lives that strongly contrasted the persecutions and trials of believers. Such a seemingly unfair disparity can be challenging for us to accept, especially when many of us naturally desire to see God execute His judgment on the wicked and strip them of their prosperity, glory, and authority. However, a careful examination of the Scriptures' teachings on spiritual inheritance, God's love, and His sovereignty reveals why the opposite often occurs.
One reason God allows the unrighteous to prosper is their portion lies only in this life. The Scriptures note that all believers have their portion in God, which Christ made possible through His redemptive work as Ephesians 1:11 states. Romans 8:17 notes that through accepting His salvation, we become God's children and Christ's co-heirs, which guarantees our reception of an eternal spiritual inheritance that includes everlasting life (Joh. 3:16), God's Kingdom (Mat. 25:34), and incorruptible treasures (Mat. 6:20). However, those who reject Christ's salvation limit their portion to this life as Psalm 17:14 states. Although they may enjoy years of immense prosperity, glory, and power, Psalm 37:2 notes the temporal nature of their earthly portion, promising it will eventually fade away as they enter the afterlife emptyhanded and condemned to eternal judgment. Thus, because they have no inheritance in the afterlife, God graciously allows the unrighteous to have their portion in this one.
Another reason He allows the unrighteous to prosper is His immense love for them. That God would love these wicked individuals should come as no surprise to us, for Romans 5:8 notes that we also were unrighteous sinners. Both us and them are equally undeserving of God's grace, yet He lovingly made Christ's salvation available to even the vilest sinner to receive in repentance and faith. It is this immense love that also leads God to bless both the saved and unsaved, as Matthew 5:45 notes. Despite their rejection of Him, God lovingly extends common grace to the unrighteous, allowing them to meet their needs, be healthy, and even prosper. In addition, 2 Peter 3:9 notes that His boundless love causes Him to have compassion and patience with the wicked. Although God would be perfectly just in immediately punishing them, He mercifully gives them time to repent as 2 Peter 3:15 notes. Thus, His indescribable love for the unrighteous is revealed through Christ's gift of salvation, God's common grace, and His desire to see all come to repentance.
One other reason He allows the unrighteous to prosper is that He often uses them for His sovereign purposes. The Scriptures showcase multiple instances where God used wicked rulers and nations to fulfill His plans, bring Him glory, and demonstrate His sovereignty. For example, Habakkuk 1:6 notes that God raised up the Babylonians, an immensely wicked people, to conquer lands foreign to them, including Judah. He also used Egypt and Assyria to judge Judah, as was prophesied in Isaiah 7:18. In addition, Isaiah also notes in 44:28 how God raised the Persian king Cyrus for His purposes, which included defeating Babylon and allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. Of interesting note between these three instances is that even though God allowed unrighteous nations and rulers to prosper, He eventually brought them to destruction due to their unwillingness to repent. Thus, despite their opposition to Him, God is sovereign over the wicked and uses them for His perfect purposes.
Our heavenly Father is not unfair in allowing the unrighteous to prosper; rather, it further exemplifies His indescribable and endless love, grace, and patience for all humanity. These divine attributes are perfectly demonstrated in Him giving the unrighteous a portion in this life, patiently delaying His judgment of them, and using them for His purposes. Our response to their prosperity should not be one of jealousy, but a burning desire to share the Gospel with them and a thankful heart towards God for the eternal and incorruptible inheritance we have in Him.
Return to the Devotionals page.