The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

—Psalm 73:2–3

It’s easy to stumble and slip when we look around at people who aren’t serving God yet seem like they’re doing so well.

“Where are my blessings?” we think. “Why am I even trying if it’s all in vain and my reward looks more like punishment?” (Psalm 73:12–13).

The answer comes later in the chapter, and the author finds it by spending time with the Lord: “It was troublesome in my sight until I entered the sanctuary of God” (Psalm 73:16–17).

Those people may prosper in this life, but their end is eternal destruction (Psalm 73:17–29). But as faithful believers, no matter what difficulties we face here, our eternal destination is joy in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 73:23–28).

When we look around, start to wonder where God is, and become tempted to follow the way of the wicked, may we take those fears and thoughts to the Lord. It’s in his presence that we’ll be reminded of truth and his goodness.

This world is not our home. All the rewards of this earth will be meaningless once we hit heaven and useless if we’re not part of God’s family.

If we believe our rewards should be earthly, we’re in danger of stumbling and slipping. The Lord is our strength to resist that temptation, and he is our incorruptible portion (Psalm 73:26), both in this life and the next.

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