Is Life Unfair?
Scripture Reading — Psalm 73:1-5, 16-28
As for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
—Psalm 73:2-3
Sometimes life seems unfair. Sometimes you look around and wonder why some families experience one hardship after another while other families prosper.
Why is it that so many of us have everything we need while others have less than nothing?
Why is it that some people who care nothing about God live in luxury, while millions of people dedicated to the Lord are persecuted?
These are the very questions that torment the writer of Psalm 73. He did not understand: “As for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
He’s not alone. Many Christians wrestle with that issue. A wife standing next to the casket of her husband whispered to me, “This is not right.”
So many things in life don’t seem right or fair. That’s why we need to keep our eyes on the Lord.
It was only when the psalmist focused on the Lord and came into God’s presence that he began to understand. He did not find an answer to his questions. But he found peace in knowing that our lives are in the hands of the loving God who has become our Father through Jesus Christ. When life seems unfair, be sure to come into his presence.
Lord God, be close to all who struggle with hard questions today. Draw them into your presence. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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