Proverbs 12:21

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about security: 

Proverbs 12:21 (ESV)

No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

Those who are "in Christ", at times, may forget the blessings of this proverb on a day-to-day basis.  Those we have been declared righteous by God have an umbrella of protection over them.   Psalm 91 is another example of this declaration. Solomon, no-doubt, read that Psalm and many others speaking of God's watchful eye over His children.    Those who are truly righteous will always be under the shadow of God's wing.   The wicked, certainly, don't reflect on the second part of this proverb.    The wicked, those who live in contempt of God and do not fear Him, will find their fill of trouble.  Yes, like Aspah in Psalm 73, there are times when we observe the wicked "living at ease".   However, God knows the terror in their hearts at night and the shame and guilt of their conscious.   They may be able to mask the "trouble" well.  What we see as being the "good life" is, in reality, the their hearts filled with trouble.  They will end in shame.   The contrast between the two life styles is striking.   Only God can protect us.  Though the wicked trust in his riches to cover him they, too, will fail.  The story of Job might cause us to second guess this proverb.  Job certainly was righteous. God said he was in the first verse.  However, he had “harm” befall him.   God, in the above proverb is speaking about a righteousness that is protected by the love of Christ (Romans 8).  Yes, this world will attempt to corrupt us.  But, our final walk with God spiritual is established by the righteousness of Christ and not our own.  In the end, Job was justified.   In the end the righteousness of the believer will save him.