A L M A C I A S

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR TO BE

Through the years, we have all heard the expression that "the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence." This expression has become very popular in the conversation of many, but how many actually know what this saying means? It means that things are not as great as they sometimes appear to be. In Psalms 73, we find a man of God who was having problems understanding why it seemed that things did not go as well for the man of God as for those who did not even believe in God.

This man of God had become very discouraged because he noticed that those who did not even follow the ways of God prospered in many ways, while he, who strived to please God, was experiencing great suffering in his life. This man of God was so discouraged that he even begin to think that perhaps things would be better if he were just like those who led wicked lives. We read in Psalm 73:2,3: "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well night slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." This has always been a hard thing to understand. Why is it the case that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? The reason we may have a problem understanding this is because we tend to look at things only from the human standpoint and not through the eyes of God. What we might consider as being most important may not be what God considers as being most important for our spiritual welfare.

We might think that things always go well for the wicked; but as we learn in the book of Job, such is not the case. There are many who are now suffering for the wickedness they committed in the past. The prisons are full of many who are now suffering the consequences of evil deeds they committed in the past. How many wicked people have died at very young ages because they were involved in wicked deeds! And even more than this, let us never forget what is awaiting those who have lived wicked lives.

Let us never become discouraged because of what we sometimes see happening to the wicked. For the day is coming in which we all shall have to give account of all that we did while we were in our bodies, before Him whom no one can deceive.