“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18
Certainty versus deception. This does not seem like a hard choice. A sower plants seed, he scatters seed usually, and that seed grows to something greater and bigger than the thing that was sown. When that thing is righteousness it only stands to reason that that will be rewarded by a righteous God. However, too often we are hesitant or distracted by the reward it seems that the wicked are getting. Do not miss that word… deceptive. Solomon is saying that what seems like a reward is not, and will not yield the wage (deserved payment for work accomplished) that we might think.
Lord God, You are the great Giver. The giver of all good things! Praise you that you lay before me a relatively easy choice to make. Help me to stay focused on Your righteousness, and to act in accordance with what I know You have instructed me to do. Keep me from envying the wicked, and feeling that they have it better than me, or my family. May I share in the joy of other families and not compare my marriage, or my kids to them. You have given me a path; my family a path to walk that is our own. Help me to trust in You on this journey, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.