Finding Comfort in Future Rewards

Psalm 119:49-56

Verses 52-53 I remember, Lord, Your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken Your law.

The psalmist continues his praise of God for the comfort he receives from the law. He knows the comfort but also the frustration.

First off the songwriter remembers that the words of the law are ancient. They have stood the test of time and that is part of their comfort. The psalmist knew what we need to come to see and that is that God is faithful through His law. The law brings comfort for those who obey it. But there can be a frustration that comes with knowing the law.

When we know the law we can become frustrated when we see others not obeying it. Especially those who have known the truth of the law. When we see others living wickedly and seeming to prosper it can cause us to doubt why we even bother obeying the law. Another psalmist understood this frustration very well and penned psalm 73.

Psalm 73 is a song that all of us can relate to. We see the wicked people around us seemingly prospering and we equate our hardships as a proof that our obedience is worthless, but that isn’t what God says at all! As 73’s songwriter came to realize, it isn’t that they are being rewarded for their evil. At least not their real reward. They may be thinking that they are getting away with it but their reward is merely temporal.

The real reward is coming for God’s people at some point in the future. Not because of our obedience but through it. The psalmist of #73 had the truth of the matter became clear to him when he walked into the sanctuary. It was coming into God’s presence through the obedience of seeking Him that brought the truth. That is how the law works. It reveals what is temporal and what is eternal in nature. We need to be focusing on what is eternal. The law gives us the push we need to live in the comfort of His promise.

Making It Personal

Do you sometimes get discouraged in your faith journey because others seem to get away with things you wish you could? Do you ever lose sight of the reason that God desire obedience? How can you refocus today?

Making It Personal Kids

Is it hard to see others seemingly get away with stuff? Does Jesus ever forget when you obey? Do you need to obey today?

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the reminder that our rewards are not always given in this lifetime. Give us eternal vision so that we will desire to obey in the now knowing there will be rewards in the future. In Jesus’ name, amen.