Week 11 Thursday

It’s Not Fair

Today’s scripture selection: Job 21-22

Key verses: Job 21:7

 

     “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?”

 

     “It’s not fair” – three words that you’ve probably said now and then. I know I have.

     It is difficult, especially when you are, as far as you know,

  • Playing by the rules
  • Working hard
  • Trying to be honest
  • Trying to be fair
  • Be charitable
  • Be forgiving

All the kind of stuff the Bible talks about.

But still, the crooked politicians seem to prosper; the unscrupulous businesses make even more money than last year; and the media celebrates the very last ones that you want your kids to emulate.

Well, this problem has been around a long, long time.  Job knew all about it – and complained about too.

The fact is, “it” isn’t fair.  We live in a broken world, scarred by human sinfulness.  To put it in the terms of Christian faith – we wouldn’t need a savior if everything, and everyone, was perfect.  But not only is the world not perfect, it doesn’t even come close.  What’s the answer?

Accept the world as it is.  Do your best to try and make it a little better in your corner of it.  Make small, but important differences in the lives of others.  Don’t give up and live a day at a time – on faith – and grace.

Sure, the wicked will seemingly prosper – for awhile.  And it isn’t fair.

But God has plans for his faithful children in due time.  And in the meantime – even in a broken world – He showers us with blessing time and again.

 

Prayer:  Lord, sometimes I get so discouraged by so much unfairness.  Strengthen me, give me hope, and help me to trust in better days – and you. AMEN.

 

 

 

Paul Simrell's avatar

By Paul Simrell

The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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