DO NOT (PART 25) – A FRUITLESS ENDEAVOR

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Proverbs 24:15-16         

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Bad things happen to good people. You’ve heard the saying over and over again.

It’s true I guess as every day innocent people get victimized by someone in some way, whether by way of assault (maybe you’ve read about the “knockout” incidents that have happened recently), theft (think home robberies, stolen cars, pick pockets, or purse snatchers), or scams (we read about these all the time on the news and I would throw identity theft into this category).

Yes, there is no shortage of people in our society today who intentionally look to take advantage of others to their own gain. And many of the victims are Christians, believers in a Lord who promises to protect and avenge wrongdoing. Perhaps the offenders would be less likely to do what they do if they remembered the latter, that God will judge and punish those who willfully sin and do harm to others.

Truly, those who choose to commit crimes against others will pay the price for their wickedness and the people they affect, if righteous, will rise up from the misfortune and be brought back to prosperity. We know this because God’s word promises such. Look at these words from the 27th of the thirty Sayings of the Wise found between Proverbs 22:17 and Chapter 24:

Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Proverbs 24:15-16

Note the specific “do not” warning here for the wicked who would try to do harm to a righteous one:

“Do not” victimize the righteous. It’s a fruitless endeavor.

Why?

Because the Lord watches over the righteous, those who are that way because they live for the Lord and remain obedient to His will, way, and word. Our scripture offers great hope and reassurance for the righteous because even when they suffer hardship from the sinful actions of others, they will be restored by the Lord, rising again to a place of thanksgiving and praise over the way the He has rescued and blessed them.

As for the wicked, well, good luck when difficulty comes your way. For there’s another saying we use besides “bad things happen to good people”. It’s “what comes around, goes around”. For the Lord will teach sinners a lesson, they will be held accountable and suffer the negative consequences for their negative actions. They will experience hardship at the same level or worse than what they brought on the righteous they victimized and when they cry out for rescue and restoration, it often falls on deaf ears. For the wicked will stumble when calamity strikes and will have to wait until the Lord decides it’s time to forgive them and restore them back to a normal life again free from penalty. This will only happen when the Lord sees that they have truly had a change of heart and desire to live differently, to live righteously like the people they affected.

And so for the wicked, the message is clear. “Do not” even think about it. For the end result of your actions is not worth it, not worth experiencing the wrath of the Lord who watches over the righteous.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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