Proverbs 23:17-18
You may be at a point in your life where it seems like everyone around you that isn’t following the will of God is obtaining the measures of success that you desire… You may be battling in the mind with staying the course and holding to God’s unchanging hand because the grass appears to be greener on the other side; wherever you are in your life or whatever you are battling today, know that Solomon reminds us today to “Let not thine heart envy sinners…” The prize that you are working and competing for may not be seen on this earth, but you can rest your thoughts today on knowing that “there is an end…” The path that is broad which many follow appears to be the right direction to go, but the end is destruction and resentment… Solomon followed the ways of the land even though he was the wisest man to ever live and in his wisdom he instills in us the fact that the most important thing we must do on this earth is “be thou in fear of the Lord all the day long…” Despite what questions or concerns you may have about your situation, you must maintain your reverence and admiration to the Lord… The bible declares that as a child of God, we walk “by faith” and not “by sight…” This is mentioned to us because if we walked according to the things we see and observe we would become disheartened by circumstances, we would give in to temptations and eventually stray away from God.
The bible also says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen…” God knows that we will face man hardships on this earth and that whenever we allow ourselves to focus on worldly issues we will strain our faith and lose sight of our focus in walking according to His calling… This pilgrimage that we have begun will surely have twist and turns and if we allow our drive to be altered by things we see we indeed will fall short… The bible says that the people during the time of Noah were drinking, dancing and having a good time while Noah built the ark… This people walked by Noah laughing at him, calling him crazy and enjoying life… If Noah would have become envious toward these people, he would have stopped his work on the ark and joined the parade… However, by him adhering to God’s calling all creation was saved and in the end I can only imagine how many of those people were knocking on his door as the flood waters poured in… This Proverb that we read today speaks in parallel with the situation and opposition that Noah faced in building the ark… Solomon sat on the throne over the house of David (his father)… He ruled many years; however, despite having all authority and 1,000 women, he tells us in the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes that “Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind…” You can achieve all manners of success on this earth and will never have the happiness or joy that comes from the father… This is why we are called to remain in fear of Him and remember that everything that doesn’t align with the will of God “shall be cut off”, while those who walk according to His purpose“shall not be cut off…” We must understand that in doing the will of God, we must have a heart for service and not be distracted by our peers…
It is very easy for a Christian to envy and become jealous of one who doesn’t walk in the will of the Lord. You may see someone who looks to be prospering while you suffer, one who has plenty while you never have enough, or one who seems happy while you are constantly confused and shaken… The scripture tells us today that we must have fear (reverence, respect) of the Lord all day long… God created all things and in believing that, we know that He hasn’t neglected us despite how bad the situation may be or how good the life of sin may appeal to you…“For surely there is and end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off…” There is a finish line for your labor, there is a crown that awaits and there is a mansion with your name on it… The sinner seems to be happy, but this world is where his happiness rest, we are looking forward to a bigger prize, one that will outweigh and out trump the rewards for the earthly vessel. I know that it is not easy to walk this course of life, when it seems like the other routes may be easier and more enjoyable… That is why Paul always wrote letters to encourage the church to press toward the mark and obtain the prize of the high calling… God will pour out bountiful blessings upon you in dew season! He has not forgotten about you, He has not abandoned you; He has not turned away from you! So keep the faith and remember that everything will be well worth the journey when you hear the words; WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!!
ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
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