Punished for Doing the Right Thing

Have you ever felt like you were doing the right thing, and as a result you were being punished for it? You know you've been committed and faithful to God, you know you've been submissive to His Divine Will for your life, and still it seemed like the bad as opposed to blessings were coming your way? Saints I can't explain it, but there are times in our walk with the Lord where it may actually seem like we're being Punished for Doing the Right Thing. This is not a phenomenon that I can claim to understand, but yet it is one that is consistent with those who faithfully and closely walk with the Lord. That's what makes it seem like such a paradox. You would think that the "closer" you are to the Lord, the more immune you are to negativity and bad things happening to you. Generally, by the Grace of God, this is the case. But as believers in Christ, particularly if you're a Devoted Disciple, we need to understand and be cognizant of the fact that there is a place in our walk with Christ where we can be challenged to be Punished for Doing the Right Thing.

Let's look at a couple of examples. One prime example is that of Joseph. Joseph shared with his family the dreams that God gave him, and as a result his brothers got jealous and sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). Joseph did nothing wrong; but when you're the object of envy and jealousy, you can definitely experience being Punished for Doing the Right Thing. Then, when Joseph was in Egypt, the Lord blessed him while he served in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39). But Potiphar's wife wanted to sleep with Joseph and continued to make advances towards him. It got to the point where Potiphar's wife practically threw herself at Joseph, and he did exactly what the Bible says, "flee fornication" (1Corinthians 6). But after he refused the advances of Potiphar's wife, she had Joseph framed for attempted rape and thrown in jail, where he served for two years. The man did nothing wrong! As a matter of fact he did the "right" thing. Yet and still, he was Punished for Doing the Right Thing.

Then we have Job, a man that God described as perfect and upright, one that feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1). Yet with this glowing Divine Report, Job still lost his children, his wealth, his reputation and his health. But once again, the man did nothing wrong. All he did was be faithful to God and do the Will of the Lord. However, with all of that, at the hands of Satan he was Punished for Doing the Right Thing.

The last and most poignant example is that of Jesus, a man who knew no sin (2Corinthians 5), who spent all His life ministering to the needs of others. But yet, in accordance with the Divine Plan of the Father (Acts 2), Jesus suffered like no other human being had suffered in the history of humanity. Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world! (John 1). Of all men who ever lived, Jesus not only did nothing wrong, He did everything right. But yet and still, He was Punished for Doing the Right Thing.

However, before you get discouraged, understand that even though the Father allowed all of these men to go through undue suffering and anguish, it was all temporary and it led to a Greater Glory that the Father had ordained. Joseph didn't stay in prison, he became the second highest ruler in all of Egypt (Genesis 41). God gave Him such wisdom that Joseph was able to save not only the nation of Egypt in the midst of 7 years of famine but most of the known world (Genesis 41). Job didn't stay sick, God restored everything he lost. And not only did God restore to Job everything, He gave him a double portion (Job 42). And then with Jesus, the Father has given Him a Name that is above every name (Philippians 2). Jesus rules all of Heaven and Earth (Matthew 28). What's my point. Whatever God is allowing you to go through and experience that you feel that you're having to endure "unjustly" is not to break you, it's to make you. It's not to destroy you, it's to develop you. It's not to punish you, it's to Promote you. If you know in your heart and spirit that you have been faithful to the Lord and been obedient to His Will and to His Word, then don't let this "temporary" (and believe me, it's only temporary) episode get you down and depressed. Don't get lost in the "woe is me" syndrome. Rejoice! Your Breakthrough is on the way. Rejoice! Your Miracle is on the way. Rejoice! Your Promotion is on the way. Rejoice! Because this is the pattern that God has established for those who get Punished for Doing the Right Thing.