Psalm 94:2-3 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. Lord, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?

David was asking the same question we ask. How long will the wicked triumph? So at least it seems this way to us here on earth. We look around and see people with more money than we have. They seem to have an easier time with life than us. But they do not confess Christ as their Savior. They do not live with even a hint of human morality. They sin and are full of greed and pride. When we look in the mirror we wonder to ourselves, how much longer?

But we do not see eternity. We only see the finite time we have here on earth. But God sees and He knows that the more grace He shows the more souls that will be in heaven. What if Jesus came back for His followers but we had not known Him as Savior yet? Where would we be? In an eternal place of suffering, where there is gnashing of teeth. This sounds like a terrible place, this hell. But every day that goes by is another chance for someone to receive the grace Jesus provides for us.

This is why James put it like this. My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. What we go through makes us more like the image God wants us to be. It also gives time until the last soul is saved. So do not wish the time away until the wicked are snuffed out. Pray for those who are not saved. Spread the words of Jesus. Walk like Him and be patient.