DIG DEEPER | PSALMS | "Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?" | March 25-26, 2023 | Kent Sparks
March 27, 2023

QUESTIONS

PSALM 73:1-10 A psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12 Look at these wicked people - enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.


  • Can you relate to the psalmist Asaph? Do you feel like you’ve grown more frustrated - even growing in doubt of the goodness of God - when you see the wicked prospering?

  • Where in your life do you see this playing out (beyond politics and the media - in your particular circle)? How does it make you feel? Do you ever feel like you are hiding/stuffing down those feelings, life Asaph did?

  • In the sermon, one of the main keys was that if you are struggling with doubts, be sure to address them with a qualified spiritual leader or pastor, so you aren’t responsible for stumbling a brother in Christ. Do you have someone like that in your life? Who do you go to?

  • The reality is, God’s judgement is coming. So even if it seems the wicked are prospering, we know what their destiny is without Christ and what our destiny is WITH Christ! That being said, instead of living in anger and frustration, we need to be praying for the wicked with compassion and love - for their repentance and faith, so they may receive eternal life. Take some time to write down/think of one or two people in your life that need your compassion over frustration and pray for their salvation.