Written By Tracy Figley | CEO Strong Tower Christian Media
When my children were young, one of the phrases we often heard around our house was: “That’s not fair!” Almost from the time they could talk, it seemed they had radar that could detect unequal treatment. Now that my kids are grown, I see it in my grandchildren. “She did this and got away with it!’ or “I got punished and he didn’t!” It seems as though the little ones have an overly developed sense of fairness. Of course, the adult in the room has to break up the fight and remind the little immature humans that life isn’t always fair.
Since more often than not, I was that adult, today I wonder why I didn’t learn that lesson. Oh, for me it’s no longer about sibling rivalry but I realize that I’m still greatly bothered by the unfair! Whether it’s the child who is mistreated by a bully, the godly person who is marginalized for their faith, or the helpless who are cast aside. I’m an adult now. Why does it still bother me when truth is maligned and deception lauded or when good is called evil and evil called good? Maybe as believers, God made us to have that sensitivity. And I know I’m in good company.
Asaph was a musician who wrote a few of the Psalms. My favorite is Psalm 73. It’s worth the read. He starts out very transparent about his feelings with these words:
“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Asaph goes on to lament that the wicked don’t suffer pain but continually grow fat. They aren’t in trouble but are constantly causing it. They are proud and covered with violence. They don’t believe Heaven sees or will hold them accountable. That description from an ancient psalmist sounds like it could have been in this morning’s paper.
So, what do we as adults do with this frustrating feeling? May I suggest that we do what Asaph did? Get a Heavenly perspective. We pick up his thoughts with verse 16:
“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.”
Our God promises to make all things right one day. Chances are though, it won’t be in our preferred timing. But it is a promise we can hold on to and until that day, we can regain our Lord’s perspective on all that is going on around us by spending time in prayer, in His Word and in His House!
