They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. – Psalm 73:5

Today's Scripture Reading (September 22, 2025): Psalm 73

Have you ever wondered why evil prospers? It is a question that I think most of us have asked at one time or another. Why do I struggle to make ends meet, while others seem to ignore God's dictates and have everything they need? I have even had some Christians suggest that God probably wouldn't care if we followed the world and broke the rules so that we can get ahead. A friend once admitted that he had lied on almost every job application he had ever submitted. He felt he had to, because everyone lies on job applications. So, his lies didn't get him ahead; they just leveled the playing field.

It was news to me. I don't think that I have ever lied on a job application. But, then again, I don't think I have submitted a real job application for over three decades. Maybe things have changed, and if they have, it is not for the better. And yet, it is a prevalent idea in our culture. If someone, a group, or even a national political party ignores the rules or standards to gain an advantage, we feel we must do the same. If we don't, then good will never defeat evil. And the reality is that we can probably all point at someone who broke the rules and succeeded, who did evil and yet got rich. Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) describes the situation this way.

While many saints are poor and afflicted, the prosperous sinner is neither. He is worse than other men, and yet he is better off; he ploughs least, and yet has the most fodder. He deserves the hottest hell, and yet has the warmest nest (Charles Spurgeon).

Asaph turns his attention to this situation between the saints and sinners. And he notes that those who are unbothered by lying and cheating don't have to worry about the common human burdens, the very things that most of us struggle with day after day. But while we are tempted to echo the behavior of those who are unconcerned with the things of God, Asaph maintains that that shouldn't be our way.

Sometimes, I wonder if this argument isn't a little overblown. Yes, there are the rich who seem to have achieved their wealth by doing things that are against the Laws of God. But there are probably more who have disregarded God's laws and struggle with the same things that we do.

John tells the story of a conversation between Peter and Jesus. Peter was concerned, for some reason, about what John was going to do. Maybe it was because John was the youngest of the disciples. Jesus responds to Peter's queries with these words: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me" (John 21:22).

Maybe that is still God's response to us. Don't worry about what the unbeliever does. You must follow me! 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 75 & 76