Have you ever been perplexed or even frustrated by those who speak evil of God and his people, are cruel and unloving, yet seem to be prosperous and happy while you are struggling just to make ends meet? Have you ever been tempted to think that God is cheating you? Though sometimes it may seem like people are getting away with being rebels towards God but understand this, there is a day of reckoning coming, and it is not sleeping. In Ps 73, the Psalmist was jaded and maybe even discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked – that is, until he understood the bigger picture.  

Psalm 73:1-19 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold, for I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore, pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff and speak with malice; in their arrogance, they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore, their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree; they increase in wealth.

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long, I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then, I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

You can be sure; no one is getting away with anything! It may seem like people are getting away with their rejection of God and their cruel and evil ways, but I can assure you, there is a day coming when justice will be served! Apostle Paul understood the severity of rejecting God’s ways, and he wrote, “Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2Cor 5:11

Don’t be fooled; justice is not sleeping! In his kindness and profound love, God is giving men ample time to change their minds and turn to him.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

God is in love with people who fail, and how thankful I am for that! He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve – his grace and mercy towards us is unfathomable!

Psalm 103:10-14 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Where would we be if God did not love us right now – right where we are at! The way God looks at those who have failed and done wrong is different from how most people look at them. Consider these profound words of Jesus.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Wow! Yes, God is kind, even to those who are ungrateful and wicked! Please understand this; for some, this world is the closest to heaven they will ever get, but for you, this is the closest thing to hell you will ever know!

Lift up your head – Keep pressing on; God’s best for you is on the way! Here are two things you can take with you from this Encouraging Note; 1. God is loving beyond anything we have ever known. 2. Justice is on its way!

My dear friend, I pray that this Encouraging Note will inspire you never to allow the enemy’s lies to trick you into believing that... 

God Is Cheating You