There seems to be an injustice in the world.  Did the writer of Proverbs get it wrong?

Proverbs 11:1-31

Reference:  v.8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  'Bad things happen to good people.'  When you read through chapter 11 of Proverbs it almost seems like only good will come to the good and bad will be heaped on to those who do bad.  However, you don't have to travel far to see that that is not always the case in our world.  Walk through a hospital and you will see many good people lying in the beds of the wards.  Go to the business district and you will see many sinful people wearing suits and holding high-powered profitable positions.  There seems to be an injustice in the world.  Did the writer of Proverbs get it wrong?

Application:  I'm not telling you anything unusual when I say that suffering is a reality.  Every person will, has or is suffering in some way.  But the writer of Proverbs is not saying that the righteous will have a good and easy and painless life.  I believe the writer of Proverbs is seeing the bigger picture.  While it may seem that the wicked get all the spoils in our world, if we look at the bigger picture we know that those who follow God's path will lead to a life filled with hope, grace and unconditional love.  That is the kind of reward that people should be seeking.  Often we find it hard to see beyond what is directly in front of our eyes.  So when pain or injustice comes our way we start to question what God is doing to us.  However, when pain and injustice rear their ugly heads, that is when we need to rely on God, knowing that we have hope in our loving Saviour and He desires us to have abundant life.  It may not always be in the ways we desire, but we must have faith that God has the bigger picture in His hands.

Prayer:  Lord, so often we want to control what is going on so that we receive instant reward.  And yet we know this is not always what is best for us.  May we show our faithfulness by trusting You with the bigger picture.  Amen.

Are you experiencing pain and injustice?  What could be God's bigger picture for you?