Walk the Walk
Whether you are a new believer, a long-time believer or a pre-believer this podcast is for you! Walk the Walk will help answer some questions you may have. I will talk about the Bible...and what it means to me. Not only will I share, but guests will be invited to share their own stories on how God is moving in their lives. You will be encouraged, uplifted and hopefully you will want to seek God to be a part of your life. You are welcome here.
Walk the Walk
Why does obedience sometimes feel like punishment while sin seems rewarded?
Hello and welcome to Walk the Walk. Today's episode is why Are they Winning? Now, today's episode is for ones who have looked around and thought this just doesn't seem fair. It's for those of us who have prayed, obeyed, fasted, tithed and still find ourselves struggling, waiting, barely holding on while others, who openly sin, mock righteousness and casually carry the title Christian, seem to be thriving. Let's be real. Sometimes it feels like the people doing everything wrong are the ones winning. God, can we talk about that? Because I'm confused. I see people doing whatever they want, sleeping around, lying, living for themselves. Not only do they call themselves Christians, but they're very successful. Oh, their businesses blow up, their social media is blessed, their life looks shiny.
Speaker 1:Meanwhile, people who really try to follow you, lord, are tired, broke, sick, lonely and grieving and wondering why obedience feels like punishment, and wondering why obedience feels like punishment. My child, you're not the first to ask this and you won't be the last. I know I've read the Psalms, lord. I've seen David cry out. Why do the wicked prosper? But I guess I didn't think it would hit this close to home. You're seeing a snapshot. I'm painting the full picture. You see what they post. I see what they carry. You see the fruit of shortcuts, but you don't see the root of consequences coming. But, lord, it just seems like people who don't even try to honor you are living better than those who do.
Speaker 1:Temporary ease is not eternal favor. Not every blessing comes from me. Some are allowed as a test. Not every struggle is punishment. Some are refining fire. I discipline those I love and, yes, I let some people have their reward now. But, child, what I'm preparing for you is bigger than right now.
Speaker 1:So this pain is not punishment. No, it's preparation, it's proof you belong to me. And when it feels like you're losing, remember you're storing up something that moth and rust can't touch. They may shine here, but you will shine in heaven. So I shouldn't measure my obedience by what I can see. No, measure it by who. I'm making you into the path of righteousness is not easy, but it is holy and it is worth it. I needed that today. I don't know if you did too, but you know, we all have been looking and watch the news and see absolute evil seem to be successful. We've been looking around and wondering why the ones living wild are living well. Living wild or living well. Remember, not everything that glitters is gold, and not every win is a blessing. God sees you. He hasn't forgotten you or me, and your harvest is coming, not in just this life, but in the next. But until then, keep walking the walk.