{The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.}
~2nd Peter 2:9
Do you ever struggle with thoughts like "Why does that person have a nice house and they don't know God?" "They have to be the worst sinners ever and yet they have everything nice." "It's not fair, I go to church and believe in God and love Him and yet I don't have near as much as they do and the despise God!"
Well besides the obvious "Sorry Honey, life isn't fair." Why is life like this? Sometimes I've struggled with thoughts like this. In my devotions I read this verse and I realized maybe for some people God is just waiting to give His punishment. I may never see it while they are here on earth but someday they'll get it.
We can't be judgmental of others...I don't know what's in their heart, do you? God is probably either working or trying to work, and maybe He is simply trying to knock.
Thinking about all this brought my thoughts back to a movie I had seen, God's Not Dead. (Its a wonderful movie and I really recommend you see it by the way). The scene was that of a son visiting his aged mother dying of dementia. By the tone of his voice and look on his face you could easily guess he was living a life displeasing to God. The conversation goes as follows.
Son: "You prayed and believed your whole life. Never done anything wrong. And here you are. You're the nicest person I know. I am the meanest. You have dementia. My life is perfect. Explain that to me!"
Mother: "Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave. The door's wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it's too late."
Do those last words shock you? "Time runs out...suddenly it's too late." Has Satan allowed your life to be perfect? Are you successful? But perhaps far from God because you have no need for Him? It's easy to call on God when we are in trouble, but when everything goes well for us, does God still receive the glory?
We don't know how God is working in everyone's lives. The only thing we can do is know that God has a seat for them and one for me and if I'm not saved or right with God in my heart then they may take the seat I have and I'll be the one to burn. Or maybe they will join me in the seat next to mine! What a glorious thought.
Blessings
~Savannah
