“Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.” -Psalm 37:16–17
The poetic justice here is that arms are symbols of strength and productivity which both lead to prosperity. But the righteous apparently lack the abundance the wicked seem to enjoy.
No matter. Their arms will be broken but the Lord will be the one who upholds the righteous. He provides for and strengthens the righteous who prosper righteously. The wicked obtain their abundance through deceit, treachery, and even murder. But they will be judged.
One way to think of this is that death brings an end to all men’s labors and separates men from their achievements. Even if the wicked seem to prosper in this life, they are separated from their abundance for all eternity in their moment of death.
Not so for the believer, the follower of Christ made righteous by his propitiation (Romans 3:21-22). The Apostle Paul reminded the believers at Corinth:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful passage. I’ve been praying and struggling over a decision and this helped me realize it is a light momentary affliction. I can live with whatever the results will be because I am looking forward toward the eternal.
What a blessing to hear. Thank you, Phyllis!