Life From God's Perspective

Chuckle: “Tell a man there are three hundred billion stars in the universe, and he believes you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it, and he has to touch it to be sure.”

Quote: “Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another.” –Isaac Penington The Art of Living

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away" (Psalm 37:1-2 NIV).

No doubt you have wondered why so many ungodly people seem to prosper and get all the breaks. We may want to question God about why do they seem to get ahead while those who strive to live righteously often struggle and never seem to get a break. This observation often causes us to shake our heads with wonder and can cause us to become bitter and envious of them. However, God has some specific instructions for us in our passage for today: "Don't do it" but rather look at life from God's view point.

We should never envy evil people, even though some may be extremely popular or excessively rich. No matter how much they have, it will fade and vanish like grass that withers and dies. Those who follow God live differently from the ungodly and, in the end, will have treasures in heaven. What an unbeliever gets on earth may last a lifetime, but what you get from following God lasts for eternity.

Ungodly gain, although attractive, is only temporary. During the last Olympic season I was reminded of Paul's exhortation, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV). Don't forsake the way of eternal reward for momentary gain and worldly pleasures. Keep God's perspective on life and keep pressing toward the goal.

"Henry C. Morrison, after serving for forty years on the African mission field, headed home by boat. On that same boat also rode Theodore Roosevelt. Morrison was quite dejected when, on entering New York harbor, President Roosevelt received a great fanfare as he arrived home. Morrison thought he should get some recognition for forty years in the Lord's service. Then a small voice came to Morrison and said, 'Henry--you're not home yet.'"

As a Christian, God may choose to bless you with wealth in this life. If so, be thankful and please remember the words in James 1:17: "Don't be deceived my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, . . ." Either way, let's pray that God will give us strength to resist the lure of the world's temporary pleasures and focus our attention on the things that really matter from God's perspective. Let's never settle for only worldly trinkets when we can have heavenly treasures.

Love, Jerry & Dotse