Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
Does it sometimes seem as if you are doing everything right, Christ is your Savior and you try to always obey God. You read the Bible every day. You go to church regularly.
You “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). You share your faith in Jesus with other people at every opportunity. You treat your friends & enemies with love, kindness, and respect. Yet you are still unable to get ahead? Does it seem that the “bad guys” are the ones getting all the breaks? Do you feel that you are getting a raw deal?
The breaks that the bad guys are getting are temporary and the success they are having will be short-lived. Ecclesiastes 8:12 & 13 Solomon said, “Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.” Even if wicked people live to be 100, they can only experience a maximum of 100 years of success. Then they will experience an eternity of heartache and pain.
On the other hand, if your success doesn’t even begin until you reach heaven, it will last forever – your success will never end!
Now, when you look at the BIG PICTURE, who really gets the raw deal?
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:1-4 ESV
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to keep my eternal success in mind when life here gets hard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.