Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Bible contains multiple instances (such as in Job 21, Psalm 73, and Ecclesiastes 8) of different individuals speaking from a human perspective concerning the apparent lack of consequence for the actions of the wicked, while the righteous are afflicted. Even Jesus told His followers, "In the world, you will have trouble," but He immediately added to that, "But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." From God's eternal viewpoint, the good always ultimately triumphs, despite the difficulties caused by the presence of sin (even within ourselves) in this life and world. The Bible accurately reflects the entirety of this multi-faceted situation.

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Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

I am glad to answer this question as it may very well come up with our weekly small group Bible study this week. (We're going through Jeremiah right now!) In Jeremiah 12:1, Jeremiah honestly asks, “Why do the wicked seem to get ahead?” He’s speaking about what he observes all around him; often those who do wrong seem to be prospering, enjoying success and comfort. This question isn’t unique to Jeremiah; many people, including Job and the Psalmist, have struggled with the same issue (Job 12:6; Psalm 73:3-12).

However, the Bible also clearly teaches that the wicked do not truly prosper in the end. Passages like Proverbs 13:21 and Psalm 34:21 remind us that their success is only temporary. It’s important to understand these verses aren’t contradictory; they’re simply describing different moments in time—what looks like success now won’t last forever.

Right now, God is patient and merciful. He delays judgment because He desires that everyone has the opportunity to repent and turn away from sin (2 Peter 3:9). This patience is a precious gift—God is giving you and me a chance to choose Him before it’s too late.

But this time of delay is not a promise that judgment won’t come. God promises that justice will be served; those who reject Him will face the consequences of their actions (Psalm 37:35-36; Psalm 92:7). While the wicked may seem to be winning for a season, their victory is short-lived, and God’s justice is sure.

The greatest hope lies in the good news of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son to take the punishment that you and I deserve for our sins. Because Jesus died and rose again, anyone who puts their faith in Him can be forgiven and receive new life with God (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).

If you feel the burden of your mistakes or wonder about your future, know this: now is the perfect time to turn to Jesus. Don’t wait for judgment to catch you by surprise or for the opportunity to pass you by. Jesus offers peace, hope, and a secure future that nothing can shake.

If you want to receive this gift of grace, you can pray this simple prayer right now:

“Jesus, I know I’ve done wrong and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again. Please come into my life and help me live for You. Thank You for loving me and giving me new life. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer sincerely, congratulations! You’ve just taken the most important step of your life. I encourage you to find a local church or a believer you trust to help you grow and walk closely with Christ.

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