This is such a turbulent time we are living in. I ventured into a grocery store the other day, mask on, sanitizer waiting in my car when I exited. I did not handle a lot of things, just got what I needed. We were out of meat and I do not like to order my meat online for pick up. I never seem to get what I want, so into the store I went.
A large sign greeted me at the door, “Masks Now Required for Entry.” There was no one stationed there making sure masks were required and I noticed half the customers in the store did not have a mask on. When I arrived at the checkout, I found two very frustrated clerks, one checking out, the other bagging groceries.
I asked them how they were doing and found out quickly, they were not doing very well. The parent company had not seen fit to station someone at the door, as other stores had done to turn away anyone without a mask. They felt they were at risk, said people came through their lines coughing and sneezing and did not seem to care. I felt for them but had nothing with which to comfort them except to say I would pray for them.
I was reading in Isaiah this morning and came to this passage, “The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from Your instruction. Lord, I remember Your judgments from long ago and find comfort.” [vs 119:51-52]
I thought about those clerks. They were following company rules, wearing their masks, working hard, but they were surrounded by arrogant customers who thought they did not need to follow the rules to shop there. In essence, these customers were flaunting their arrogance in the face of those clerks who were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
Sometimes we feel like those clerks. We follow the instructions of our LORD, but the arrogant surround us in their disobedience and ridicule us. Still we maintain our obedience to God’s will and ways. Our comfort comes now as we remember God’s judgments … and judgment is exactly what that word means … taking a case against someone before a judge.
We remember that God will not allow the wicked to win. He has in the past brought judgment, He will in the future bring a final judgment that will end all evil forever and ever. We can find comfort in that.
