Be sure of this:  The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. (Proverbs 11:21)

I've got to be honest with you:  This particular proverbial sentiment -- about the wicked being punished and the righetous being vindicated -- is one of the hardest parts of the Proverbs for me to accept.  I have my doubts about how well it actually aligns with reality (even while the rest of the Proverbs ring so true).  What makes it trickier is that it's not just one isolated verse; it's scattered throughout the 11th chapter of Proverbs particularly, but throughout the rest of the book as well.  There often seems to be this message of, "Good things happen to good people; bad things happen to bad people."

But how does this really align with reality?!?

How does this proverb account for the AIDS orphans in Africa?  How does this proverb account for entire villages washed out by tsunamis in Asia?  How does this proverb account for innocent children who die in car accidents and medical tragedies every day?  How does this proverb account for the fact that cancer seemingly has no discrimination between the righteous or the wicked?  These are classic apologetic questions -- all variations on the well-known "Why does a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?" -- but rather than refer you to Lee Strobel or Josh McDowell or Ravi Zacharias, what does Solomon have to say about this?!?  If he was the wisest person ever and all that, then why would he make what appears to be such a foolish, ill-considered statement as "The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free"?

Well, I think you could certainly make an extended study out of this topic -- combing through the Proverbs and the book of Ecclesiastes as well (which actually has some very excellent writing on these topics)... But for the sake of brief devotional thought on Proverbs 11:21, I think it's very signficant to note the first four words in this verse:  "Be sure of this."  Why else would these words be added, if it wasn't inevitable that these questions of justice and innocence would come up?!?!  Most of the Proverbs don't come with any kind of special introduction or assurance, just sharing their wisdom in a very straightforward manner, but this one gives a special disclaimer.  He's already mentioned this theme of ultimate vindication / retribution enough through the first ten chapters of the book (and through several of the early verses of chapter 11 as well) that he stops at this point, seemingly anticipating our accumulated disbelief, and he speaks to the doubt.

Be - sure - of - this.

We may not understand what's going on in the midst of any given moment.  We may genuinely wonder why the righteous experience pain and why the wicked experience success at times.  But even in the midst of the doubt, we can trust that God is not duped, and the He's not randomly sniping and smiting people for the sake of some cruel game of chance.  We can trust this because the Bible tells us so and the wisest man in the world tells us so.  I know for some, this may not seem like a very great reassurance -- and certainly not if you're in the midst of pain and apparent punishment.  But to me, it helps to rely on the element of faith.  To be able to be sure of something that my emotions are not really sure about at all.  And with this universe as big and complex as it is -- and with the aspect of eternity factored in as well -- I'm glad to be able to hang my hat on a greater assurance.  On the assurance that the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.