Things don’t always seem fair. It’s nothing new. Discrepancies between “are” and “ought;” i.e. the insurmountable gap between the way things are and the way we perceive they ought to be, has ever been observed and opposed.
But in our relegating the wickedness of humanity to the Creator, we relish convenience via reprobate impeachment. Despite the blatant choice of autonomy and rebellion, we readily dispatch all residue unto Christ, our scapegoat.
Scripture is clarity and truth, neither by committee nor consensus, but divine Author and Authority. The Word is rooted in nephesh: the heart, will, and mind of The Most High. Revering Scripture as authoritative, good, gracious, and true, transforms readers by transcending the quagmire of our narrow perception, limited experience, and finite understanding.
The Bible, God’s love story, avows the unique and lofty perspective of the Almighty Sovereign who is eternally Father, Son, and Spirit.
Therefore, when noting discrepancies, identifying injustices, recognizing wrongs, observing oppression, and yearning for justice, we are not alone:
...Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
-Jeremiah 12:1
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape!
-Malachi 3:15
Rebellion prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground! The armies of heaven were restrained from responding.
-Daniel 8:12
The tents of the destroyers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure...
-Job 12:6
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
-Psalm 73:2
Identification, rife.
Patience, rare.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
-Psalm 37:7
God is doing a mighty and eternal work! In the interim, the wicked are simultaneously given the opportunity to repent or to heap further condemnation. Fools are always exposed. Always. Their fruit is their undoing.
Jesus is responding to evil in patience, humility, and obedient surrender - for now. He exposed the fullness of His glory at the Cross of Calvary. He prayed the Father would forgive our horrific ignorance and folly. Judgment is drawing near.
Legitimate disciples of Jesus find no joy or satisfaction in the pending judgment of the wicked, for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The sin of self-righteousness whispers our sin was somehow less distasteful to God, somehow less repugnant. As such, the stench of our ongoing wickedness is exposed.
The righteous pray expectant prayers just as Jesus did. We pray unto our gracious and merciful Redeemer, our heavenly Father, and the Spirit of God. We pray for fools, stuck in the pit of their folly, to recognize, repent, and call out for redemption.
The redeemed of the LORD are ever optimistic about redemption and ultimately satisfied in His perfect judgment. When the true colors of the wicked are exposed by their fruit, we pray without ceasing as we wait patiently upon the LORD.
Blessings,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor, PBC
https://www.unstoppablekidsbook.com/
