Proverbs 23:17 ¶ Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be
thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end;
and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Here is a Proverb of hope for the discouraged
and downhearted. Don’t look at those around you who are having good fortune and
good times and wish for what they have. Fear the Lord, trust Him, and wait.
Only someone who has been down and out or flat on their back can truly
understand this one.
The believer has eternal life with God. But the
prosperity of the wicked is their portion in this world. See Psalm 17:13 - 15.
Psalm 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him,
cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: 14 From men
which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in
this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of
children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. 15 As for me, I
will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with
thy likeness.
That prosperity of fools will destroy them. See
Proverbs 1:32.
Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the
simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But be devoted to the fear, the awe, the
reverence of God as per Pslam 119:38.
Psalm 119:38 ¶ Stablish thy word unto thy
servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Remember what God told the Jews in captivity in
Jeremiah 29:11.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I
think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give
you an expected end.
And read Psalm 73.
1 ¶ «A Psalm of Asaph.» Truly God is good to
Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were
almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the
foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in
their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other
men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride compasseth them
about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out
with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and
speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their
mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to
them. 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most
High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase
in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in
innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every
morning.
15 ¶ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the
generation of thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful
for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into
destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are
utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when
thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 ¶ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish
was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am
continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt
guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in
heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My
flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion
for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast
destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to
draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all
thy works.
Many people are struggling these days in America
but, remember, many people are also doing well. Don’t envy those who are
prospering unless they are doing it in a Godly manner. Then, you should look to
them as an ensample to learn from but you must know them personally for that as
you can’t believe anything the media says and you certainly don’t want to be
taken in by someone’s own press that they say about themselves. It is better
simply not to look to others but look only to the Lord and wait, pray and
patiently wait for His deliverance. Don’t let the success of other’s turn your
head because Satan, the god of this world, takes care of his own and promotes
our love of the wrong things, unnecessary things, things that God doesn’t want
in our life.
America has long been a land where coveting has
been a virtue, where we think we need things that we really don’t. In the end,
you only need God, and at the end of your life, if He is all you have, then you
have everything. No wealthy man or successful man who doesn’t have Christ, have
God in their life has anything when all is said and done. Be thankful for
Christ and His salvation and don’t despair at what others have or have
accomplished that you haven’t. It’s not about you anyway, it’s about Him.
We are not saved by our own efforts but by
Christ’s. Even Jeremiah wasn’t lifted out of the mud and muck by his own
efforts in Jeremiah 38. He only received the knotted rags that were offered to
him. He was lifted out. He wasn’t even holding on. The men who lifted him did
all the work. Let Christ do for you, to you, and with you what His will is and
be happy for your part in it and quit struggling so much and trying to do
things yourself. Don’t envy others.
Be faithful to God. He’ll lift you up.
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