Prosperity of the wicked is a great mystery. You wonder why someone who purposed in his heart to stand and work against his Creator should prosper while those who are in the Lord's side seem to be lacking. It is a mystery which has bothered generations and people of different status.

Jeremiah 12:1, the man of God who knew his God as a Righteous One Whose judgement is without partiality asked Him,
"Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why are those happy who deal treacherously?"
Earlier in the Holy Scriptures, a song writer also asked the same question:
"Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped,
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Psalm 73 1-2.

He then went ahead to itemise those things enjoyed by the wicked. They are astonishing indeed!
Prosperity of the wicked is an ancient question that is asked today. Thanks to the Lord who has answers to all questions in His Word, the Holy Scriptures.
The Psalmist went further to clear his doubts,
"When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me- until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understand their end.
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction." Psalm 73:16-18.

Now, let us discuss some of the reasons for the prosperity of the wicked:
I. They are prospered to be destroyed. One practical example of this is a farmer and his plantation. Weeds can survive without anyone caring or tendering them. They flourish and blossom unhindered. When the farmer applies fertilizer to his plantation, the weeds will share from it. This is not the intention of the farmer.
What is the regular end of every weed? Destruction! The same holds for the wicked. Their end is not favorable to him. It shall be ill with him, Isaiah 3:11.

ii. Not only that, the earth has been given to the wicked. Job 9:24. Do you wonder? Be not confused. The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, Psalm 23:1. Remember that the Lord, in His infinite love and mercy had given it to man for administration and control. It was man who surrendered his authority and power to control the Earth to the wicked, Genesis chapter three.

iii. It is only in this world that the wicked have their own portion. It doesn't go beyond here. No hope or any better expectations elsewhere, Psalm 27:14.
"With your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasures."
Should they be prevented from enjoying the treasures for a season?
Iv. Do you know that all God's creation are for Himself? He does what He likes with them as at when due to Him. Proverbs 16:4 reveals,
"The Lord has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom."
This becomes clearer when we consider Exodus 14:4, "Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them (the Jews); and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord."
It worthy of note that the Lord had told Pharaoh, the wicked king of Egypt,
"But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Exodus 9:16.
Is this not true until today?.

v. The wicked are God's rods and staff for chastisement of any erring son or daughter of His. In the Lord's covenant with king David, He declared,
"When your days are fulfilled, and you rest with your father's, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
I will be his father, and he shall be My son. If he commits inquity, I will chastise him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men." 2 Samuel 7:12-14.
Should the rods,staff and blows of God not prosper? The more prosperous they are, the better they are in the execution of God's assignments.
May we not sin against the Lord to deserve their employment against us in the name of Jesus Christ.

vi. Many times, the possessions of the wicked are reserved for the righteous. It is the righteous who will use those possessions when the wicked are no more. A practical example is Nabal in 1Samuel chapter twenty-five. After his demise, his wife and all possessions passed on to David by marriage through Abigail. That is God for you.

vii. In many cases, what the wicked amassed as possessions are for the benefits of the righteous. He is holding them in trust for him. They are meant for the comfort of the righteous. If he fails to disburse them appropriately, he will be punished for that. He may lose his life like it happened to Nabal.
These words are also a proof of this:
"For Jacob My servant's sake,
And Israel My elect
I have even called you by name;
I have named you, though you not known Me." Isaiah 45:4.
This means that all the glowing promises to king Cyrus was for the benefits and good of His people. You can read them from verse one.

Beloved, I think one or more of the points raised, among others may be useful to you and to put your mind at rest on the issue of the prosperity of the wicked. Register it in your heart that you are a citizen of a better place, the kingdom of heaven. May we all reach there safely in Jesus mighty name.
Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday 26/09/2022. New Life In Christ (Akoyoyo, Ibadan).

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.