Bible Reading: Psalm 73:12-14
Do you sometimes begin to feel sorry for yourself because you aren’t getting the things that you think you want or deserve? Does it sometimes seem as if the “bad guys”
are getting all the good stuff? Do you feel confused or frustrated trying to understand why it seems that the bad guys are rewarded while you are struggling?
The person who wrote today’s verses felt the same way. At one point, he said trying to understand this dilemma was “oppressive” to him. Then he did something that made the whole problem clear. He began to see things God’s way. Here are his words: “This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.”
The writer of today’s Bible passage realized that those people who ignored God and yet seemed to be blessed with all the “good stuff” in the world were on a slippery slope. If they didn’t quickly change and begin to live for God, everything they had would slip away, and, they would be left with nothing for all eternity.
At the same time, he realized that the person whose life was centered on God would ultimately receive all the good things that God has to offer –
even though that person may have an uphill climb to get to his eternal reward.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the strength to keep climbing toward my eternal reward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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