Teaching is my passion and teaching believers the Word of God is my calling. That's why I write a weekly newsletter from the Word of God. Knowledge builds faith and faith builds understanding. Drop your email below to receive helpful lessons about God's Word.
God, Why do the Wicked Prosper?
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Ask God: Jeremiah asked God a question that many of us have wanted to ask. Why do the wicked and even non-believers prosper? Jeremiah was bold but very respectful when he approached God with his question. God appreciates this type of approach. Jeremiah was not confrontational, he was looking for information. God's answer gives peace of mind and helps us understand the good and the evil in the world.. Good Evening Reader, Thank you for receiving and reading each lesson. Lessons of the Bible explained in everyday terms are enlightening and beneficial for growth in our faith. God had given Jeremiah a challenge. He was young and had a lot to learn. Jeremiah sought the source of all answers: GOD. This is a good example for us. May God bless you abundantly this day. All Glory to God. Elvin Jeremiah Questions Why the Wicked Prosper Go to God with Your Hard Questions Jeremiah had a problem, and it is the same problem we often have today. That problem is understanding why God allows bad things to happen to good people while allowing good things to happen to wicked people. It feels like life is unfair, and evil seems to win. We—like Jeremiah—wonder why God allows it. But what if our confusion is the very place where faith grows strongest? What if God is preparing us for future difficulties? Just like Jeremiah, we can bring our most challenging questions to God—not in rebellion, but in faith—trusting that His answers will shape us for greater endurance and deeper purpose. Jeremiah’s Honest Conversation with God Chapter 12 of Jeremiah records one of the prophet’s most honest and heartfelt conversations with God. Troubled by the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, Jeremiah boldly brings his questions before the Lord. He begins with respect—acknowledging that God is always just—but quickly pours out his frustration: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” (Jeremiah 12:1). This is not rebellion but the cry of a faithful servant seeking to understand divine justice. God’s response challenges Jeremiah to deeper endurance: if he becomes weary running with men, how will he contend with horses? In other words, greater trials are coming, and Jeremiah must grow stronger in faith. The Lord also reveals the coming judgment upon Judah and her neighbors. Yet, He ends with a promise of restoration for any nation that learns to follow Him. God desires that all shall be saved. He also desires that each believer grow in faith and dependence on Him. He does not want anyone to falter during trials. For man, it is easy to focus solely on the present moment, seeing only the struggles and the pain. However, God wants all believers to understand the broader perspective and look to Him for guidance and direction. In a short time, we will all be with Him for eternity. This chapter captures the tension between human pain and divine purpose. It teaches that questioning God is not a sign of faithlessness—but an opportunity for growth and greater dependence on God. Jeremiah’s bold dialogue reminds believers that God welcomes honest hearts and uses seasons of confusion to prepare us for greater spiritual battles. Encouragement During Times of Disappointment Jeremiah 12: 5 is a powerful verse and one that still cuts deep into the heart of weary believers today. Jeremiah was struggling to understand the ways of God. Where does Jeremiah go for answers? He approaches God. Let’s revisit this verse: “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5, NIV). In context, Jeremiah was discouraged. He had faithfully preached God’s word, yet he saw the wicked prosper and himself suffer. He wanted answers. But instead of explaining everything, God strengthened Jeremiah through this question. Essentially, God was saying: “Jeremiah, if you’re tired from smaller battles, how will you stand when the real trials come? Tougher days are ahead—you must grow stronger now.” Preparing in Today’s World Imagine a young police officer or firefighter who tires easily during training drills. The captain might say, “If the exercises wear you out, how will you handle a real emergency?” The point isn’t to shame but to prepare—the drills are meant to strengthen for greater challenges ahead. In our world today, this verse applies to believers who grow weary in the “training ground” of life—smaller daily frustrations, minor injustices, or moments when obedience feels unrewarded. God allows these trials to build our endurance for the greater spiritual battles ahead—times when faith will be truly tested. Grow in Faith and Determined Resolve God was calling Jeremiah—and us—to spiritual toughness. If we faint in small tests like criticism, waiting, or even minor losses, how will we endure heavier ones like persecution, deep grief, or even the moral collapse around us? The world around us presents greater challenges every day as people turn from God. This verse in Jeremiah reminds us that the purpose of today’s difficulties is often preparation, not punishment. Paul echoed this in 2 Timothy 2:3: “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Then James reminds us: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3). When life feels unfair or too hard, God might be saying to you, “I’m training you to run with horses.” He’s developing the strength, endurance, and faith you’ll need for what’s next. Endurance Training for the BIG Race Paul often used “running a race” as a metaphor for the Christian life—one of discipline, endurance, and eternal reward. The illustration in Jeremiah reminded me of the following story of a young boy training for his track team: “Training to Run with Horses” Years ago, a young boy named Caleb loved running races at his school. He dreamed of becoming a track star. But during his first track meet, he came in last place—completely exhausted. Frustrated, he told his coach, “I’ll never be fast enough.” The coach smiled and said, “Caleb, you’re still learning to run on level ground. The real races are tougher—uphill, in the rain, with people cheering against you. If you quit now, how will you ever win when the pressure is on?” So Caleb kept training—early mornings, sore legs, and small local races. Years later, when he ran the state championship, that discipline paid off. He didn’t just run with others—he led them. The hard training prepared him for a much greater race. That’s what God was saying to Jeremiah: “Don’t quit in the small races—I’m preparing you for the big one.” Jeremiah’s challenges with the men of his hometown (Anathoth) were only the warm-up for the opposition he would face from kings and priests in Jerusalem. And God says the same to us:
Run the Race with Eyes Fixed on Jesus Paul compares the Christian life to a disciplined athlete running to win a race. The prize isn’t earthly glory—it’s eternal reward and faithfulness to Christ. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. “Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
When you feel worn down, remember: You’re in training. God isn’t punishing you—He’s preparing you to run with horses. And one day, you’ll look back and realize that every small trial was strengthening your stride of faith. Takeaway from Jeremiah’s Question to God When Jeremiah grew weary and questioned God about why the wicked prospered, the Lord answered with a challenge: “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5). God was telling Jeremiah that the struggles he faced were only the beginning—greater trials lay ahead, and he needed to grow stronger. It’s the same for us today. When we face life’s frustrations, delays, or discouragements, God is using them as training for bigger battles. Like an athlete who grows through practice, our faith is strengthened through perseverance. The spiritual life is a race of endurance, not a sprint. If we stumble in easy times, we won’t be ready for the harder ones. But if we trust God and keep running, He will make us strong enough to “run with horses.” Today’s trials are preparing you for tomorrow’s victories. Keep your eyes on the Lord—He’s building your endurance. Elvin The People Taken Captive by the Babylonians
PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends. Reader, Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose. Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family. Grow in the knowledge of God. Elvin Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons. Go to: www.AskGodForHelp.net To See More Living Life Lessons |
Grow in the Knowledge of God's Word
Teaching is my passion and teaching believers the Word of God is my calling. That's why I write a weekly newsletter from the Word of God. Knowledge builds faith and faith builds understanding. Drop your email below to receive helpful lessons about God's Word.