In this world of changing values and social mores that are so far removed from biblical teaching that we wonder why God has not yet intervened, believers in Him often have questions. Most are never articulated because it would seem like we are away from the Lord because of our doubts. Usually, they are questions about good and evil. Like: “Why do the ungodly prosper? Why do godly people suffer? Why does God allow a longed-for and loved child to die young or in infancy, and other people to kill their own children before they are even born?”
The very first words of the Leviticus section of the Psalms begin with a positive statement of faith and assurance. “Truly (surely, without question) God is good.” We know he is near those who are His own children by faith in Jesus Christ. We know He is near those whose hearts are clean, and His goodness has been shown to us in many ways daily. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and our sins have been taken away. We can be cleansed by washing water by the word of God. But our faith in God does not mean we have all the answers to life and the problems that arise. It does mean we trust Him even when we have no answers to our “whys.”
So, questions arise to which we have no answers, and despite ourselves, we want answers. The psalmist was struggling with doubts to the extent that he was unsure of himself and his beliefs. He saw the wicked prospering for a whole lifetime; some died in a ripe old age without hardly a problem in life. Some were arrogant, proud, and overbearing toward those who had less than they did. They took advantage of poor people and compromised what was right and fair to get ahead. Truth and righteousness were not real considerations in their lives. They were making the news and, at the same time, were mocking God and saying, “How doth God know?”
Doubts are real and debilitating when we look at life and other people through natural eyes. Doubts can lead us to envy and inward anger when others are doing fine, and we are suffering. The self-assurance of unbelievers who seem so far ahead of us that we are in danger of doubting God, or at least doubting our faith in Him, can make us doubt. We can identify with the writer who said, “Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain.” Questioning God’s justice and love can take us very near to stumbling. Believers can fall into the snare of doubts if we just see the outside of the picture. It is especially true if we are experiencing misfortune and sickness or are being attacked unfairly.
The peaceful death of the godless in old age was the psalmist's concern. Arrogance and prosperity go together, and scoffing at oppression without the restraint of conscience or respect makes it appear there is no consciousness of ultimate justice. The success of the wicked is attractive to those who want the same success and prosperity. Believers are not immune to that deception. The ungodly don’t think God, if there is one, cares one way or another about what is happening. The psalmist struggled with temptation and doubts.
He struggled with his unanswered question, and it put him off-kilter spiritually. But like him, we should keep our doubts to ourselves and take them to God only. Don’t hope to trade places with those who prosper because of sin. Someday, they will want to trade places with those who trust God alone and have eternal wealth. The ungodly will lose everything they worship and will perish.
Finally, the psalmist went into the sanctuary of God. That doesn’t necessarily mean into the physical temple, but into the dwelling place of God. Everything changes from temporal to eternal, physical to spiritual, in God's presence. Real value and understanding come when we are close to God. We see everything differently: the light of eternity and the latter end. Reality is not in appearance. Nor are riches, success, and fame lasting. They are like a passing fancy. Like a dream in the night or a tale that is told and soon forgotten. We can get sidetracked by looking at others with foolish and ignorant eyes of flesh, which is a serious mistake. The eyes of faith are focused on things eternal. In the sanctuary, we get true insight. We see beyond eyesight and look at things as God sees them.
God may never give us an answer, or He may. That is up to His infinite wisdom. Thankfully. He accepts His people because of doubts. Doubts only affect us, not Him. Our God is in heaven and on earth. He is our strength and portion. Situations in which we are found may not change, but our attitude changes when we are in His presence. Reality is in God, even though what we see seems real. Temporal things have such a hold on us if we give place to doubts. When we are close to God, we are realistic about life.
It is our highest wisdom to trust and obey. Then, we simply go forward in faith. Faith is active in a believer who is conscious of God’s presence. Even more valuable is our faith in God as it relates to death, resurrection, and life after death and resurrection. When destinies are faced, we know the ungodly, “They say,” but the state of the wicked is precarious now, and they may be taken away without any further warning. Faith in God overcomes our doubts. We may sometimes lack faith now, and our courage and strength fail to a degree, but our unfailing God is our security now and forever. He guides and strengthens us now; there is glory and life beyond this life. God is near us now in our struggles, so we will testify to the fact that our trust is in the Lord God, and we will tell others of Him and praise Him