Nothing Happens Overnight

I would like to look at some scriptures today, which in themselves tell a very big story, regarding doing what is right in the sight of God, or doing what is wrong. And after all, those really are the only two choices we have in this life, as Solomon assured us by the holy Ghost: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13,14). But one thing we should consider is that God judges the doings of men here and now, as well as hereafter, as the apostle Paul wisely noted: “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free” (Eph. 6:8). And also, “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Col. 3:25). On one hand our faith is tried when we persevere in doing the right things, regardless of the way circumstances work out for us. Solomon also commented on this, saying that there are times that it appears that we may be receiving bad things for doing well, and that those who are doing evil may appear to be rewarded with good for it: “Here is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity” (Eccl. 8:14). So it’s evident that sometimes people appear to be rewarded with good things for doing the wrong things in their lives. Many righteous men and prophets attested to this appearing condition of things, and some of them have been greatly tried by it (Job 10:3,4; Job 21:7-12; Psm. 17:13,14; Psm. 73:2-5; Psm 94:2-7; Jer. 12:1,2; Hab. 1:12,13; Mal. 3:14,15).

The understanding that delivers from being deceived by these false appearances of things, is simply that nothing happens overnight, but rather space is given either to endure in righteousness with faith in God to reward us accordingly; or to repent of doing wrong and thereby avoid unnecessary judgment against sin. God tries the hearts and faithfulness of the righteous, and gives the wicked the opportunity to avoid wrath. Isaiah felt the trial of his faith, feeling somewhat overlooked by God for his faithfulness: “Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God” (Isa. 49:4). But even while feeling the trial of his faith, he knew deep down that God had not forgotten him. Same with Jeremiah: “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jer. 20:9). The wisdom of God in Solomon spoke of the space to repent that God gives to those who are doing wrongly: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Eccl. 8:11). Indeed it is a dreadful error to mistake the longsuffering of the Lord as an allowance to continue in sin, as he went on state: “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God” (Eccl. 8:12,13). And the apostle Paul assured us that whatever it is that we are inclined to do will catch up with us, whether for good or for bad: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:7-10). No my friend, God never misses a beat, and both sees and judges the affairs of men continually. That can be a joyous thing, or it can be a dreadful thing. It all depends on what we are geared to doing. Amen.