It’s Friday…Contemplate Eternity

The world is a confusing place, isn’t it? Sometimes the wicked prosper and the righteous don’t. On the surface, that runs contrary to the promises of God, but we can’t afford to look for God on the surface. Eventually, we learn that the prosperity of the wicked and the misfortune of the righteous are temporary conditions. From the perspective of eternity, the wicked never prosper and the righteous never lack. Again, it’s a promise of God.

The psalmist, Asaph, struggled with perspective. His feet had almost slipped, and he had almost fallen. While he was struggling, he noticed that the arrogant weren’t. They were healthy and strong, free from burdens, wealthy, and bold in their sin. In spite, of all God’s promises to bless obedience and curse disobedience, the obedient psalmist was in pain and the sinners were doing fine. It didn’t make sense.

We can relate, can’t we? The godless of our age most often seem the most carefree and prosperous, never really suffering from their prodigal ways. Meanwhile, it seems like the followers of Jesus struggle to make ends meet, to get relationships right, or just remain faithful to Him. Why does it appear (especially in the media today) that those faithful to God are experiencing hard times and those who don’t care about Him at all, are having the time of their lives?

“You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:27-28)

Asaph discovered the answer to this enigma. It didn’t make sense to him until; until he “entered the sanctuary of God” (v.17). It wasn’t until he sat for a while in God’s presence, that he got a glimpse of reality, and most importantly, eternity. Only then could he fully see and understand the destiny of the wicked and their slippery ground. Seeing God does that; it makes the illusions of this world fade and the reality of eternity come into clear focus. It sets things right.

At times we all struggle with having the proper focus. The answer always is, slowing down and sitting in God’s presence for a while. Contemplate Eternity. As we do, we’ll all come away with the right view, and we’ll be grateful for the way God is carefully cultivating us, even when life appears to be upside down.

Have a beautiful weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those who make it their priority to hit the pause button and draw near to God, feel His pulse, and gain His perspective.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)