When we have been wronged, we may be tempted to take pleasure in the punishment of the wicked, but that is not of the Lord: “I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness. . . . Why should you die?” (Ezek. 33:11). Do you hear the heart cry of God? Does it match your own, or have you been allowing bitterness to replace compassion and mercy in your heart? Knowing the sorrow that awaits the wicked is no source of comfort for the truly converted.
Let me close this chapter with a word picture: Imagine for a moment that you receive a certified letter stating you are the only heir of a distant relative who has left you an inheritance of several million dollars. The next day you receive in the mail late notices for numerous bills and turnoff dates for your utilities; because of circumstances beyond your control, you fell behind on all your financial obligations. What significance will the certified letter play in the way you handle the situation? Well, you are fully aware of the problems you face, but you know without a doubt that help is on the way.
The same holds true for those of you today who say that everything has gone wrong in your life. Romans 5:6–9 is the “certified letter” you’ve been waiting for: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” Before everything went wrong in your life, Jesus Christ made everything right! Mercy will surround you, and shouts of joy will fill your mouth again.
Remember where we started at the beginning of this chapter, Psalm 147:3–5: “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” If everything has gone wrong in your life—whether by your doing or someone else’s—the Lord God of heaven who numbered and named the stars wants to bandage your wounds. The question is, will you let Him?
Deep wounds always leave a scar. The imprint and impact of everything gone wrong can stay with us a long time—even lifelong sometimes. But friend, because of what Jesus has already done, one day you will have a new body with no scars. You will live with your Savior forever, and everything that was wrong will be made right. Hold tight to that and never forget it.
Excerpt from “Happily… Even After” now available on Amazon.
