In the End, God Wins!
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, And his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
Our response to unfairness, as with all other issues, is based on our perspective—the particular vantage point from which we look at life. Basically, in this case, we have two perspectives to choose from: the human perspective or the divine.
The Human Perspective
Our natural, human perspective contends, “Since life isn’t fair, I’m going to get my share. I’m going to look out for number one. I’m going to spend my energy getting my own back or setting things straight or making it right. I’m not going to take it any longer.”
Our world is full of literature and counselors who will help you carry out this agenda. The problem is, you may get even but you won’t get peace. You may feel better for the short term, but you won’t get lasting satisfaction. You may find a way to channel your anger, but if retaliation is your major goal you will not glorify God. Those who live their lives from this perspective are more likely to end their lives as bitter, cynical, hostile people. Tragically, I have just described how the majority of Americans choose to live.
The Divine Perspective
Fortunately, we do have another option. The principle that Peter gives us is this: God misses nothing. He’s looking out for us. He’s listening to our prayers. And He is completely aware of the evil that is happening to us. Don’t ever think He has missed the evil. He sees, and He remembers. He may be long-suffering, but He doesn’t compromise His justice. Not only is His eye on the righteous, but His face is also against evil. Ultimately, good will overcome evil. In the end, God wins!
But if this is true, we wonder, why doesn’t He do something about evil? Why does He let it go on so long? Because God’s timeline is infinite—He doesn’t close His books at the end of the month. It may take a lifetime—or longer—before justice is served. But in the end, count on it, God will be just. In the end He will “work everything together for good” and for His glory.
That thought gives us hope beyond bitterness. If we don’t believe that and if we don’t focus on that, we become the loser. We spend our years like a rat in a sewer pipe, existing in the tight radius of cynicism and bitterness. Ultimately, we become, in our aging years, angry old men and jaded old women.
Taken from Hope Again by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1996 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
