Pr. 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
This verse reminds me of work. Have you ever worked for a boss who just seemed unbearable? Sadly, in our sin-fallen world, not everyone is perfect. Occasionally, there are people who rule over us in a very unpleasant way. This can be true for work, for government, just about anything. Truly we groan within ourselves when this is the case.
On the other hand, when we are ‘ruled’ by someone who is righteous, our lives are made much easier, and seem much more pleasant.
This reminds me of Col. 3:23-24, which says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
It is the Lord we are serving, not men. No matter how many raises, bonuses, incentives, or even punishments are given to us by men, our ultimate reward comes from the Lord.
I’m reminded, as well, of Eph. 6:5-8: “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
We are actually ruled by One who is righteous. Our reward comes from Him, not from man. We are instructed to serve our ‘masters’ in sincerity of heart, as to Christ. Serving Christ, the One who laid down His very life for us, is a privilege and an honor. If we can remind ourselves that it is He that we are serving, truly we can willingly lay down our pride and our lives to do His will in all we do. We can also be assured that the good we do will be done unto us by the Lord.
Also, this morning I read Ps. 43, in which the writer is asking for God to deliver him from the deceitful and unjust man. At the end of the Psalm, the writer reminds himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
Then there is Pr. 29:25 which points out that the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. We can trust in God because He is faithful. Our hope lies in Him, the One who is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not grow weary. Work as to the Lord today. You are safe in His hands, and your reward is forthcoming.
Rejoicing,
jamie
considering the word 