THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 13-16
“Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.” (Proverbs 13:21)
As I read through these proverbs, I looked for one that caught my attention.
There were several, like this one above, that did make me pause.
The question I had is, ‘is this really true?’
In my experience, those who try to do right often find trouble.
And too often, sinners often go rewarded in our messed up world.
What makes these sayings wise is that they look beyond the obvious.
They see behind what is happening, to what God is up to.
“The Lord works out everything to its proper end.” (Proverbs 16:4)
When at the moment it seems that sinners prosper, it won’t last.
In the end, truth and goodness and justice and love will win.
Jesus shows us this, as one who did what was right and found trouble.
His resurrection is our assurance that we will be rewarded with good things.
Do the right thing, even if it causes trouble; it will work out in the end.
Choose the Jesus way, and we too will endure the cross but receive the crown!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to do what is right, even when it is hard. Help me to trust that it will all work out for good in the end!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
It is so difficult to hang on to these truths in difficult times or times of waiting.
And I think that’s ok.
Something that helped me get through a troubled time was spending regular time in Psalm 37.
I needed it over and over again; it was one of the ways God helped me through.
Talk.
Words.
Truth.
Be a people of integrity doing what is good right and true.
Wisdom.
Making the right choices.
Discerning, being wise.
Prayerfully going in His way
seeking the Lord
and doing His will and walking daily in His Light
speaking words of love and hope and peace
being an instrument of His peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is dispair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.