The prosperity of the wicked – Thomas Brooks
"For
I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the
wicked. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
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. When I tried to
understand all this, it was oppressive to me—until 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!" Psalm 73
Oh,
how little is that man's condition to be envied, who for these short pleasures of sin—must endure an
eternity of torments!
O
sirs! Do wicked men purchase their present pleasures at so dear a rate—as eternal torments? And do we
envy their enjoyment of them so short a time? Would we envy a man going to
execution, because we saw him go up the ladder with a gold chain around his
neck and a scarlet gown on his back? Surely not! Oh, no more should we envy the
grandeur of worldly men, for every step they take, is but a step to an eternal execution!
Oh,
how much more worthy of our pity, than envy—is that man's condition, who has all his happiness
confined to the narrow compass of this
present life—but his misery extended to
the uttermost bounds of an everlasting duration!
"The
rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham
far away, with Lazarus by his side. So
he called to him—Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip
of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!" Luke
16:22-24
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