July 9, 2011 Bad People, Good Lives

Do Bad People Have Good Lives?
Jeremiah 11 - 13

Jer 12:1 Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?

JEREMIAH’s wonders: Why do the wicked win? I think we often wonder the same thing: Does it really pay to obey God?
What was the source of Jeremiah’s grieving heart? Jeremiah and God had a very close, loving relationship. When you love God as deeply as Jeremiah did, you take on more of his character. You come to love others as God does. You see them through God’s eyes, and you want to protect them from sin’s destruction.
As a result, you also hate sin as God does because it destroys the people you love. When people are away from God and hurting, you will love people as they need it most. You want them free of sin to receive God’s blessings.
Still you may get frustrated with God as Jeremiah seems to be. Sometimes you wonder: “Why, God, are these people living a good life when they disobey you?”
Jeremiah got his answer when he saw their “good life” as the clean rag that turned to dirt and become useless. The people’s wickedness turned them into useless dirty people.
Pay attention to those who “look good” but disobey God. You’ll see the same thing happen—every time. Their lives look successful, but their sin gradually covers their success and destroys them.
Jeremiah had a heart like God’s. He trusted God’s ways, and he longed for his people to see God’s heart to protect and save them. God wants you to know that his protecting, saving heart is for you.


Pause and Consider: people you know who had good lives but now don’t. What happened? Do they need your prayers?