The sentence against an evil deed

When there is a delay between action and consequence, we don’t get the feedback we need to act appropriately. For instance, you jump into the shower and the water is too cold so you turn up the heat and it’s still too cool and you turn up the heat ... and all of a sudden you’re in hot water. Check out this passage from my reading this week:

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; ESV)

So, why would God set things up like this? Doesn't it seem like stacking the deck against us for Him to delay punishing the wicked? Not really. If God were to smite every sinner as soon as we needed it and as much as we needed there would be no remnant. There would be no one left, and we know God can’t confound his own plans to work his will out through men.

So, be grateful for God’s mercy.