why do people win the lottery? sinful activity of gambling damages families & society hear of...

Why do people win the lottery?Sinful activity of gamblingDamages families & societyHear of $100 million winnersSecretly say, “I wish it was me.”

Our view of the world can be distorted & cause us to doubt

See good fortune of the ungodlyJealous of what they haveFaith shakenNeed God’s counsel

Declares the goodness of God, 1Foundation of the PsalmGod is good, Mt. 19:17­No fault in Him­Not to blame for inequities­Does not neglect His people­Does not lack power

Declares the goodness of God, 1Good to the pure in heart, Heb. 13:5, 6­Regardless of appearances­Regardless of troubles & sorrows­He is on their side

Had almost fallen, 2 & 3Faith waivered, Mt. 14:28-30­Almost a skeptic­Can lose our faith & fall­Will deal with struggles, 1 Pt. 5:8

Had almost fallen, 2 & 3Envied the wicked, cf. Mt. 6:19-21­Looked at here & now, cf. Col. 3:1, 2­Ignored future­Saw outward pleasure­Blind to inward pain­Earthly prosperity above God’s favor­Physical above moral

Wicked seemingly have few problems, 4 & 5Death little trouble­Suicide­Idolized & glamorized after death

Wicked seemingly have few problems, 4 & 5Death little troubleLife is easier & carefree­Afford home; 2 or 3­Good career­Enjoy vacations; exotic & expensive

Wicked seemingly have few problems, 4 & 5Death little troubleLife is easier & carefreeHave nothing in the hereafter…

…Let them have it all nowIf earthly goods are of great value,

God would give themin large measure to His children

Wicked filled with pride & violence, 6It elevates themIt brings them goodIt pleases them

Wicked have abundant things, 7Eyes bulge outVoracious appetiteOpulent lifestyle

Wicked are confident in their iniquity, 8 & 9Scoff at the truthRelish oppressionSpeech unrestrained

Saints pour out their sorrows, 10Cup full of sufferingLay them out before God, 1 Pt. 5:7

Saints wonder if God even knowsabout the inequities of this world, 11 & 12

How can He know…& allow it to continue?Does He really know everything?Look at the wicked!

Righteous seem to be punished, 13 & 14Trying to be righteous is an apparent waste, Gal. 6:9Constant trouble in life

Kept struggles to himself, 15Would undermine others if spokenSome foolishly express their doubts

Painful to wrestle with these issues, 16Trying to understandTorn up on the inside

Answered when he turned to God, 17God has the answersQuite meditation in “God’s house”Make sense of the world

Our view of the world can be distorted & cause us to doubt

See good fortune of the ungodlyJealous of what they haveFaith shakenNeed God’s counsel