WHEN EVIL MEN PROSPER   Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.    As I watch the plan of God unfold in the world I consistently forget that His timing is perfect! There will come the day when He will set things straight and Jesus will return in Glory! Until then I watch evil men carry out the destructive work of Satan. They use comforting names for the evil they do but very few of them know they are serving the Devil. I watch them prosper and I struggle because it seems that there is no justice. Psalm 73 below tells the same story. The author is depressed with how evil men prosper. Then God shows him their end in verses’ 16 thru 20. Their eternal state is shown here in that they go to destruction and are “swept away by terrors”. I pray all would repent and look to Jesus for salvation and purpose in life.   Psalms 73 Truly God is good to Israel,to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such a painless life;their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace,and their clothing is woven of cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil;in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens,and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,drinking in all their words. 11 "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask."Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?" 12 Look at these arrogant people — enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? 14 All I get is trouble all day long;every morning brings me pain. 15 If I had really spoken this way,I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.But what a difficult task it is! 17 Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God,and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed,swept away by terrors. 20 Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake.When you arise, O Lord,you will make them vanish from this life. 21 Then I realized how bitter I had become,how pained I had been by all I had seen. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you;you are holding my right hand. 24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel,leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you?I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,but God remains the strength of my heart;he is mine forever. 27 But those who desert him will perish,for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. NLT