“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8

Final Fairness

I recently learned that this verse is the exact middle verse of the whole Bible which reminds me that there are no accidents with God! Not long ago I was put to the test in this area and reminded to trust the LORD and not my own reasoning. It was finals week and the pressure was on.

Part of the final for my course was the requirement to write a response to an essay question and it involved a very detailed study to prepare. In short, I was preparing to describe what body system components are required to allow the body to walk (muscles, bones, nervous system, cardiovascular, etc.)

We were given two days to complete the whole final in class. Determined to be over and done, I stayed on the first day and completed everything even though I was one of the last to leave.

We all returned on the second day to either finish or get our final grades. One of my classmates who had a similar grade to mine had decided to finish the essay question on the second day. The teacher called her up to get her exam and she returned saying that she was told that based on her grade, she would not be required to complete the essay and was given an A! While I was sincerely happy for her, other feelings of unfairness rose up in me immediately as well. I had studied and worked HARD on that essay question! My grade was the same as hers going in and yet I had to complete it and she did not.

Almost as quickly, the LORD reminded me that my heart was not in the right place. It didn’t matter what was “fair.” What was meaningful to me was that I learned a great deal going through the process to prepare for the exam and that is just what He knew I needed. The parable of the laborers came to mind. I was responding like the complaining laborers: “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a denarius. But he answered one of them, and said, ‘Friend, I do you no wrong. Didst not thou agree with me for a denarius? So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few chosen’” (Matthew 20:10, 13, 16).

It should not matter to me what goes on around me, but only that I am doing what is set before me as unto the LORD. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

I need to rejoice for those that receive favor even if it seems “unfair” to me, knowing that He is always working things for my good and His glory! “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

“Dear Jesus, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is so tender and gentle in correction. Thank You that I can have confidence in You and that You always have what is best for me even if I can’t see it right away or ever! I pray that as I continue to become more like You in my walk,  that I will do all things as unto You alone. Amen.”