Wise Journey

Read Proverbs 24

Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Proverbs 24:19-20

When the ruthless beat out the righteous for the next promotion at work, we may begin to envy them. When the malicious go unpunished, the disparity between what seems fair and what is reality causes great frustration. We become convinced that if we are “nice,” we are destined to “finish last.” However, that’s just it: We’re not finished yet. Like a hiker cresting the top of a mountain peak only to see the horizon littered with higher and higher peaks, we must remember that our journey has just begun.

Life on earth—for the godly and the ungodly—is but one peak from God’s perspective. Many people may cheat to climb higher, stepping on the heads of the righteous for a foothold. However, while they may enjoy the pinnacle experience of life on earth, sadly it will be their only summit. The Bible teaches that there is no future for evildoers. While the righteous will continue to ascend for eternity, evildoers are “snuffed out” and doomed to descend into darkness.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Be with God when the lights go out.

Today, Lord, may I not waver between worry and envy when it comes to the wicked. Help me to trust that righteousness will win out in the end.