Proverbs 24:19-20
Do not fret because of evildoers
or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evildoer has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
It is proper to concern ourselves with seeing that justice is carried out and that the oppressed are protected. In such a spirit we are to concern ourselves with thwarting the deeds of the wicked. However, we are not to live with jealousy of the wicked or with general anxiety about them. It is good to see a wicked person brought to justice, but understand that the real justice takes place before the throne of God who rules with perfect knowledge and power.
No one is getting away with anything. The wicked are digging their own graves and sealing their own doom. God sees all; more to the point, God is working out all things for his glory to be displayed in his justice and in his mercy. All persons will receive what he has ordained and in such a way that all mouths will be silenced at the time of their hearing before the Almighty Judge. All knees will bow before the King.
Nothing can stop that inevitable conclusion. Certainly no wicked creature can thwart God’s purposes. They, who spent their lives mocking their Creator; they, who believed they were outwitting the Law, will find their “lamps” put out. They have no future, i.e. no future of blessing. They will wish they had no existence, that they had never been born. Keep this in mind the next time you fret over the way the wicked seem to be winning and prospering. And pray for their souls.
Psalm 97
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines[a] on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.