“The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.” (Psalm 119:51)
How do men assess men? “… Man looketh on the outward appearance” (1 Samuel 16:7) Men look for visible results. Success or failure is tied to outcomes, to numbers and statistics. We are graded according to the product or yield of our efforts. But looks can be deceiving. The wicked can prosper and the righteous can find themselves in a wilderness of want. Jesus warned: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
Jesus Himself was held up to a standard of measure that He didn’t meet. “Surely,” the people concluded, “those living in the blessing and favor of the Most High don’t end up on a cross.” Job also saw the opinion people had of him do a complete reversal. When he was fabulously wealthy, he was deemed the “greatest of all the men of the east.” But when his riches were wiped out, he was held in utter contempt.
When people shake their heads, and don’t have mercy upon us, what should we do?
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.” (Psalm 123:2-4)
The Lord sees deeper than men do. He does not judge by the seeing of the eye, or the hearing of the ear. Obedience is His measure of success. All that should matter to us is whether we are letting our Shepherd lead us in paths of righteousness. If we are not, then the Lord will chasten us, even with the reproaches of men. But if we are faithfully walking in what the Lord has given us to do, and we are buffeted for it, we are positioned to gain true riches. As we “take patiently” the grief men would give us – without bitterness, without anger, without vengeance – the Spirit of God and glory can beautifully rest upon us, displaying in His sight the visible marks of success. Before gaining heaven’s applause, every saint should expect to hear earth’s jeers.