RIGHT IN HIS EYES

Proverbs 21:2

All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.

I have been faithful to my wife for 13 years, yet, here is an actor who has a wife and a number of mistresses and children out of marriage. But he is by far, richer than me with all those big houses, money and cars. I have been working for 15 years now, and I can say I have been generally honest in my dealings with my company and suppliers. Yet, here is a politician known to have amassed great fortune from graft and corruption, but he is still free, rich and well-loved. As a child, I would complain because my mother would always ask me to run errands, and point to my brother saying, “It’s supposed to be his turn!”

So many cases and situations in life, I shout “NOT FAIR!” Until I realize that isn’t this the same thinking that Cain has? He thought that God always favor Abel, and out of envy, he allowed sin to enter his door and be his master. He thought God is unfair so he killed his brother.

From this, we shall realize further the basic truth. We are not the true judge of what is fair and what is unfair, of what is right and of what is bad because our concept of fairness is tainted by envy and selfishness – it centers on ourselves and what we believe ought to be. We cannot even say that what we are doing is right and the others are no good compared to us. It is only the Lord God who can judge us. And in everything, He has His plans and purposes. And believe you me, those are fair and for the goodness of all.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, You are a just and faithful God. Gently look at our hearts, for You are the only One who can really judge the hearts of men. I may perceive others to be worthy of Your wrath or even hell, but You are the only one who knows what should be done. Life may never really look fair to us, but Your grace is much bigger than we’ve sometimes allowed ourselves to believe. And in all of these, we only trust in You.

Amen +

Give me discernment, (to) observe your law and keep it with all my heart.