How do we keep trusting God when the wicked win?
I was asked this question way back when I was a brand-new babe in Christ. First, before I share that story, I want to mention we’ve all lived under the title of wicked. We’ve all sinned and gone our own way. Not one of us is righteous on our own. Unless we’re washed in the blood of Jesus, we’re wayward and wicked.
Good, now that I have that settled in our minds, we can consider the conundrum of how to keep trusting God when the wicked win.
I’ve noticed they win a lot. Sometimes they lie, cheat, and bribe their way to the top. Other times their gain is won fairly. But sometimes they leave cartloads of carnage behind them. Broken promises, broken friendships, and broken marriages tend to follow on heels of the most successful.
There are decent folk who manage to win at real-life Monopoly too. But unless the Lord builds an empire, the rich have labored in vain. When we die, we leave our wealth behind. Only what is done for Jesus lasts. Only work done in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting will prosper for eternity.
Now for the story I promised.
Okay, now I’m ready to share the story of when someone asked me how to keep trusting God when the wicked win. During my lunchbreaks at an extended care hospital where I was employed as an activity aid way back in the 1980’s, I often sat alone in the solarium. We were allowed to use it if no residents were in it at the time. When I volunteered during my days off, I brought my favorite residents there. It wasn’t easy for people in wheelchairs to navigate the double doors that separated the lovely room from the rest of the hospital. I knew I’d appreciate someone bringing me there if I was stuck in a wheelchair. The room had more windows than walls. Natural light, grow lights, and a trickling fountain made visitors and plants alike feel wonderful.
On one of my lunch breaks, an older staff member approached me. I had been told by one of the other Christians who worked there that Fern (not her real name) appeared to be seeking God. We were all praying for her.
She was troubled by another staff member whose behavior upset her. The gruff lady she spoke of had more seniority than her and had close ties with the local union. To complain about an untouchable appeared fruitless.
Looking back on that conversation, I believe any concerns should always be reported to the supervisor. I was the new kid in the building, so I kept out of the gruff lady’s way. But my workmate was deeply troubled by how much the other worker was getting away with. Sometimes, in this world, people get reported and still get away with lousy ethics. Sometimes the wicked win.
As a new believer, I spent a lot of time reading my Bible. I happen to have it with me while I ate lunch. When Fern’s brow creased with worry, I said, “I recently came across a Psalm about this topic. It helps me let go of bitterness about things people appear to be getting away with. Would you like to hear it?”
She sat in one of the patio chairs next to me, “Yes.”
I opened my bible to Psalm 37 and read it to her. Over and over again the Psalm mentioned how the wicked are eventually gone and no longer found.
Let’s read verses 8-11:
Don’t give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble. Those who trust in the Lord will possess the land, but the wicked will be driven out. Soon the wicked will disappear; you may look for them, but you won’t find them; but the humble will possess the land and enjoy prosperity and peace. Psalm 37:8-11 (NIV)
Fern’s face relaxed as the realization of a coming justice sunk in. Over the next few months, she continued to ask all of us questions. She also attended church. It was inspiring to witness an older woman who had no former faith come to faith in Jesus. Her usually troubled facial expressions were replaced by peaceful ones. She became joyful instead of jittery.
Perhaps this is what my boyfriend witnessed in me. For he soon began attending church too. And after he placed his trust in Jesus, he also asked me an important question. He proposed. Our wedding verse came from the same Psalm I had read to Fern.
Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire. Psalm 37:4 (GNT)
And now I’d like to close with a poem:
God wants us to trust Him
even when the wicked win
for we must remember
we too were enemies with Him
God wants us to trust Him
And pray for the lost
Since He died and rose for sinners
when He took our place on the cross.
~ wlm
Don't worry what the wicked do since they're eventually gone. Instead pray that they repent and place their trust in the Son. #pray #Devotional Click To Tweet
Psalm 37:4 says: Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire. #Bible #memoir Click To Tweet
I’m nosy-to-know if you have a special life verse that’s dear to your heart?
Blessings of God’s peace ~ Wendy Mac
Hi, Wendy. Well written post on a tough question. 😊
Thank you, dear Irene. It’s a question we wrestle with on a regular basis here on earth. We won’t in Heaven.
Blessings. 🙂
Again, thank you Wendy for your Spirit-filled advice! I love Psalm 37 where it says in verse 1 – 7, to not fret but to ‘Trust’, ‘Delight’, ‘Commit’ and ‘Rest’. Beautiful, meaningful Pslam!
Thank you, dear Sandra. Yes, what a delight that God wants us to rest and trust instead of fret. Trusting is a better choice than fretting. Always.
Wendy, I appreciate your honest, thoughtful, loving and Biblical response to this reality… many times the wicked win. There is such comfort in the truth of God’s Word. We can rest in His final justice, where all wickedness will be crushed. And all of us, whose wickedness is washed in the blood of Christ by our faith in Him, can receive the blessings He paid so dearly for us. May we pray for all to receive this most precious gift of salvation in Christ alone.
Thank you, dear Melissa. Yes, His Word is a comforting Truth that cushions us during crushing disappointments when we trust and pray for those who have harmed us or others. The Apostle Paul is a perfect example of what God can do through a transformed heart. We’re blessed.
A tough issue but what I love about your post is how the Lord arranged a divine appointment for you to help a troubled woman. And how the seeds planted in her by you and your coworkers were eventually harvested. God is good.
I try to remember to abide in Christ and trust when I see the wicked winning and prospering. It’s something, I think, we all struggle with from time to time. Psalm 37 is a great psalm to read when we struggle with this issue. Thank you for this reminder, Wendy.
Thank you, dear Nancy.
God’s divine appointments are the best. I wonder if we’ll share them with each other in Heaven. True happy-ending-faith-stories are my favorite.
Wendy, you wrote with such realness about a subject that bewilders many. I believe there is a justice for the wicked we often will never see. A mentor one day when I thought a certain person should face God’s justice rightly admonished me to always remember that His justice always includes the availability of His mercy.
There was a family member who took delight in causing disharmony. I thought she was wicked. I thought, “No way she’ll change.” God showed me how wrong I was. Two months before she died she became a Christian. I regret that I didn’t see her those last few months. I was told that she was so loving. No one is beyond redemption. Not even those we believe are wicked.
Thank you so much for sharing this story, Dr. Osborne. It gave me goosebumps because I keep telling people I’m going to keep praying for the “impossible” ones. It’s not by might, power, or eloquent words we’re saved, it’s by the Holy Spirit.
Even while I pray I tell God some requests seem impossible to me. But I agree with Him that He is the God of the impossible. Nothing is a problem for Him.
Blessings as we keep praying, believing, and trusting.
It really does seem like the wicked wins. That was a question I use to ask God all the time. Then the Lord told me that the wicked does not win. It is an illusion from the enemy. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, dear Desirayl. Yes–when we have an unilluminated soul, we believe an illusion. May God continue to open the eyes, hearts, and minds of all whom we pray for. Blessings.
Blessings to you Wendy. I pray your having a great day. As always thank you for commenting.
Wendy, I love how God put you in Fern’s path, and that you were able to show her God’s love and His Word. What a great lesson in this story. Thank you.
Thank you, dear Mary. Fern was a sweetie. Although she was close to retirement age at the time, she seemed twenty years younger after she put her trust in Jesus.
One of my favorite verses:
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Thank you, dear Teresa. Proverbs 19:21 goes perfectly with this post. 🙂 Blessings.
The wicked win in the work place all the time. There are always the “in crowd” people at work. I was always the worker bee while others floated around the office. It is difficult to ignore them, but we can do so with prayer and assitance from the Holy Spirit. And to remember, I only have control over me and my behavior.
Wise words, dear Sandi. “(We) only have control over (us) and (our) behavior.”
Blessings on your Christmas. 🎄🎁🕊️
Thank you & blessings.