Data proves that future-minded people are success magnets. It’s far more beneficial to focus on the long-term, in the long-term. In other words, delayed gratification and emphasis on the future usually pay off. Stanford’s marshmallow experiment—where they offered children one marshmallow immediately or two in fifteen minutes—proved that. The study showed that the kids who exercised delayed gratification became more successful.1 Remarkably, the Bible says a lot about that topic. Even the inconspicuous book Psalms—a group of prayers—addresses delayed gratification. That, more specifically, eternal gratification, is this essay’s topic.
In a prior article, I wrote about the differences between wicked and righteous people according to Psalms and how God rewards both. To summarize that article, the virtuous fear God’s wrath and love His law, but the wicked despise God’s authority. In return, God promised to protect the righteous and “Never leave or forsake them.”2 Specifically, He promised he’d never abandon the poor, who can’t defend themselves. However, to the wicked, He would “Speak to them in His wrath and distress them in His hot displeasure.”3
Psalm 94 establishes that God is the judge. “The Lord to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud… How long will the wicked triumph?”4 The author believes that God loves justice and is sovereign and will enforce it.
Later in the chapter and other passages, there is a belief and hope that some will “dwell with God.” Other verses say: “Shall the throne of iniquity which devises evil by law have fellowship with you?”5 “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”6 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”7 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”8 These verses address heaven. The respective authors of each chapter are confident that they’ll see heaven. Even though the wicked might oppress them, their reward is heavenly. Evil men won’t receive blessings, though. Psalm 145: “The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.”9 Psalm 37: “For the Lord loves justice and doesn’t forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.”10 God will judge the wicked. That is clear. But, in some Psalms, it appears that evil men are winning. They might be more prosperous or numerous, but Psalm 11 promises, “Upon the wicked, He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.” 11In the end, whether you “Kiss the Son”12 (submit to Jesus) or reject His law, God will judge.
I think Psalm 50 condenses this faith that God will bless the righteous perfectly. That passage addresses good and evil and promises them different rewards. “Give to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me, and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.’” 13
In conclusion, upright people are optimistic about the future because of God’s promises. They trust Jehovah will give them an inheritance in heaven and tread down the wicked with fire and brimstone. While evil might flourish on Earth, they believe in eternal gratification—and their heavenly reward.
Asher Sisneros 
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