You know, I used to be really impressed by those who start well. I thought it was all about how cool you were in high school, what college you went to and what job you got afterwards. As I’ve matured a little bit (aka got older!), I’ve become more impressed by those who finish well. I’m working through Proverbs and Proverbs 10:30 says…

The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

Those who follow God and receive the saving work of Jesus Christ have staying power. They remain in the land. This passage is telling us that the wicked are eventually uprooted. Why? Because God is the definer of reality. When we live in accordance with his will for us, there is a permanence that enters into our lives. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, eternal life comes with him. Even though we get hit a million times, this world can no longer overcome us. There is something in the heart of the believer that has overcome the world…or rather someone.

The wicked can’t have that same staying power. All they have to rely on is themselves. And let me be clear about what I mean by wicked. Wickedness simply refers to those who have not chosen to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. They may be otherwise “good” people, but nobody earns salvation. And by the way, who really defines good? That’s just food for thought.

When all you have to rely on is yourself, your resources are incredibly limited. It doesn’t matter how smart, how rich or how popular you are. Trials will come that will exhaust your personal resources and you will not be able to stand without God. You can bank on it. On top of that, every single one of us will one day stand before the throne of God. I can promise you that on that day we will not want to rely on our own merits. The only thing to rely on then is the saving work of Jesus Christ and what he did for us. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are not saved by works but rather “by grace through faith.”

The wicked will not remain but the righteous will. If you rely on God, your resources are unlimited and this world has nothing on you. If you all you have to rely on is yourself, you will eventually be swallowed up.