1.  The Psalmist struggles with doubts about God’s goodness when he sees the wicked prospering and the righteous struggling.

2.  If we were honest with ourselves and with God we would have to admit that we have the same struggles.  Why do those who couldn’t care less about God seem to have lives of ease while those who love and serve God have struggles, difficulties, and trials.

3.  “He says what we often think: that it is of no use to have a clean heart and washed hands.  He sees no immediate benefit to obedience.  In fact, he suffers the opposite; daily plagues and chastening (vs. 14).”  (Robert Alden)

4.  “When we struggle (with infertility, financial reversal, family troubles, or any setback), we are prone to notice others who are doing well.  We become envious.  In time we become bitter, falling into the trap of thinking that life itself hinges on our problems being fixed or solved.  A better response in the midst of difficulty is to look to God.  He is all we really need.  His presence is far more valuable than anything else.  Remember the words of the psalmist: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you’ (Psalm 73:25).”

5.  His doubts are answered when he sees things from the divine perspective.  He learns that:

-even if life is a struggle, to know God is far better than a life of ease without God.

-whatever the struggle here, the believer has eternity with God to look forward to, not so with the unbeliever, to whom death will bring terror.