Then men will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” (Ps. 58:11)
IN THE END, THE RIGHTEOUS will be rewarded. Life in a fallen world can feel very discouraging and defeating. If we are unable to see beyond our immediate circumstances, we may lose hope and give up. Psalm 58 is a great reminder that we can take great hope in the fact that the war is already won, even though our victory may be delayed for a while.
The 1936 Berlin Olympics were filled with historic moments, not the least of which was the performance of the United States rowing team, whose story is told in the best-selling book The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. The young American rowing team was able to capture the hearts and imagination of the world with their talent, determination, and incredible ability to finish strong. Often, the eight-man crew would look defeated until the middle of the race when their disciplined determination would overwhelm and dominate their opponents. They won the gold medal.
You, too, may look around you and feel as if you are defeated. Be encouraged today, and don’t get caught in the world’s ways of thinking. Look to the hope of God’s Word, His return, and His reward for the righteous. As He rewards the righteous, He will also set right every wrong in our world as He judges it. That will be an epic finish, the ultimate reward to keep us “rowing.”
Be encouraged today by thinking of the reward to come.
Brian D. Bennett is the pastor of Overflow Church and lives in Benton Harbor with his wife and three children. He is the author of Go Now and Be the Church.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
