Why Do Bad People Succeed?

Why do honest people sometimes struggle and the not-so-honest seem to succeed?

I’ve had to bow to those who are dishonest or live an ungodly life at times. Yes, it’s frustrating, but it is a reality. So why do bad people succeed?

The prophet Jeremiah asked the same question when he asked:

“Lord, when I bring my case to you, you are always right. But I want to ask you about the justice you give. Why are evil people successful? Why do dishonest people have such easy lives?” (Jeremiah‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NCV‬)

Jeremiah said: “You have put the evil people here like plants with strong roots. They grow and produce fruit. With their mouths they speak well of you, but their hearts are really far away from you.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NCV‬‬)

Things haven’t changed have they? It does make you ask “Why?” doesn’t it?

Do you know how God answered Jeremiah?

He said: “If you get tired while racing against people, how can you race against horses? If you stumble in a country that is safe, what will you do in the thick thornbushes along the Jordan River?” (Jeremiah‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬ ‭NCV‬)

So what does that mean? It means greater challenges are coming - and they did.

In Jeremiah’s future, he would be locked in stocks, imprisoned, ignored, made fun of, beaten, given the death sentence, put in a muddy well to die, , called a liar, and the list goes on. When those times came, Jeremiah complained again. And God gave the same answers.

So what’s the take-away? The Christian life is not easy. It’s not easy to be patient, kind, gentle, forgiving, mature, having self-control, being generous - the Christian life is not easy.

However, God “did” share that he would punish evil - in time - in His time.

“This is what the Lord says about the people of Judah: “They really love to wander from me; they don’t stop themselves from leaving me. So now the Lord will not accept them. He will now remember the evil they do and will punish them for their sins.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬ ‭NCV‬‬)

God “will” deal with the evil and ungodly every time. Success is not how it appears to us. God has a different view of success.

The truth is, we are not in control. God is. He has a different time line. He has different ways of dealing with things. He allows suffering for reasons we don’t really understand.

The question is can we walk in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense? Do we “really” trust God? Do we believe He has our best interest at heart?

God would not offer his Son Christ to rescue our souls, and forgive our sins only to abandon us. He “only” has our best interest at heart. Do you and I really trust this?

King Solomon once said “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success. Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.” (Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NCV‬‬)

GOD, help us to always pray and take our concerns to you. However, help us understand that your answers sometimes can be different than our desires. Sometimes you say “yes” - and sometimes you have a different plan for us. Help us to love and trust you no matter. IJNIP amen ♥️