When It Looks Like the Wicked Are Winning

Isaiah 33:1 (ESV) Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you.

God announces to Assyria that the very things she is doing will be done to her. Destruction and betrayal are in her future for the way she has acted. Why is she considered a traitor? Because Assyria took ransom money from Hezekiah and yet continued to harass the nation of Judah. 

You have to see this in the time it was written. Assyria was dominant and in control, even of Judah's future. So it seemed. But that is how the world always looks to us at the moment. It seems the evildoers are getting away with it. It seems the wicked are ruling without consequence. It seems that way. It is NOT that way. 

Assyria will be cast down soon after these years of trouble for Judah. The peopled needed that reassurance in the midst of their frustration. Whatever it is that has you frustrated, look to God's Word and know that the end is written. Accounts are recorded, and God will avenge. 

How are we to live? Consider Isaiah's address to the people in the following verses:

Isaiah 33:2 (ESV) O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

First, we pray. We seek God's gracious hand. We depend not on our strength, but His. He is our "arm every morning". 

Isaiah 33:5–6 (ESV) The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, 6 and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Second, we praise. Notice the firm assertion that the Lord is both exalted and above all things. He is our stability! He brings wisdom and knowledge. Know the Lord that you might know these realities. 

Isaiah 33:14–16 (ESV) The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” 15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, 16 he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.

Third, we pursue purity and righteous living. That is the point of Isaiah's message. God's people had lost God's protection and blessing. Why? Because they had joined the nations in their debauchery. Yet there is hope for the "sinners in Zion". Whenever we still hear of the judgments of God but do not experience them, we have the opportunity to avoid them through repentance and prayer. 

Thus Isaiah turns the people's attention back to a righteous King who comes. 

Isaiah 33:17–19 (ESV) Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. 18 Your heart will muse on the terror: “Where is he who counted, where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers?” 19 You will see no more the insolent people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a tongue that you cannot understand.

After describing the coming heavenly city accompanying our heavenly King, Isaiah speaks of the hope He brings. 

Isaiah 33:21–22 (ESV) But there the LORD in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass. 22 For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.

And ultimately, the King brings His own to a place of forgiveness and healing. 

Isaiah 33:24 (ESV) And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.

It may look like the sinners are winning. It may seem like people are getting away with it. Do not be misled. God, the righteous Judge is coming, His king is appointed, and His kingdom comes. Do not fear the wicked, but fall in humble prayer before the true heavenly King.