01/16/2023
We see the wicked about us, and they are too proud to believe in God. We watch them succeed in their lives, and some believers are tempted to envy them, but neither the wicked nor those who envy them can see that God’s punishment is at hand. The wicked believe that God is dead, and those who envy believe their behavior is a harmless pursuit. We understand that wickedness is sin, but do we fool ourselves into believing that envy is an innocent endeavor?
“The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies.”
Psalms 10:4, 6 NLT
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
James 3:16 KJV
Those who resist envy, especially the envy of sinners, remain hopeful of what lies ahead for them. They have hope in being judged a righteous person, and worthy of eternity in the presence of God!
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Proverbs 23:17-18 ESV
So God’s wrath destroys those who have no belief in Him because they are fools, but the silly, or in other words weak, men are destroyed by envying those fools. If we find ourselves envying those who don’t believe in God, or acknowledge His desire to punish sin, then we will be judged just as harshly as they are. Can we resist such folly, and be satisfied with what we are given by the Lord in our lives? Are God’s blessings enough for us without envying others?
“For wrath killeth the foolish man, And envy slayeth the silly one.”
Job 5:2 KJV
Today let’s turn our attention to our own hearts and ask if what we see there is enough, or whether we are pursuing what others possess out of weakness and envy. Let’s come to the understanding that such envy drives us to sin, and subjects us to the wrath of God. What, if anything,
do we envy in the world today?
Pray,
Father, thank you for helping us to resist the temptation of envy, and for strengthening our satisfaction in what we have received from you. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers, seeing our needs, and providing for us those things that meet our needs, and which seal us in you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is sufficient for us in every way. Praised be your name for each and every need you meet in our lives, and for showing us the foolishness of desiring those things that lead to sin, and death. Merciful are you who blinds us to the world, and gives us the sight of eagles for the heavenly things. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus so that every temptation, envy, and sin, is swept away. See in us the image of Christ, and call us worthy as we stand before you in judgement. Seat us at your table, Father, where we will envy nothing, and desire only the eternity with you that has been prepared for us. Call us your children, and the heirs and joint heirs with Christ. In this way we shall envy, and want for nothing.
Rich Forbes