Envious Of The Wicked?

Do not let your heart envy sinners,But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;For surely there is a hereafter,And your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:17-18 (NKJV)

It’s a very natural experience to look around and see mean, selfish, ungodly people who win and prosper. Sometimes it just gets to us. We think, God, that is just not fair. Why, we ask, should the bad, disobedient people get good things and those who love and serve you suffer?

This proverb gives us instruction and encouragement and comfort. It gives us comfort knowing that we’re not the only ones who sometimes feel that way. Even David felt that way. He said, “I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3, NKJV). David once served under a prideful, jealous king who wanted to kill him. It is times like these that don’t seem to make sense and cause us to be frustrated.

What then should we do? Our proverb today instructs us. Don’t envy wicked people. All they get are their external victories and temporal prizes, but internally sin has conquered their souls, and that is too great a price. They are to be pitied rather than envied.

And, lastly, our proverb comforts us by saying, “Surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” Let’s let Jesus have the final word. He said “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

In all situations, the great victory shout and defining attitude is “be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day.” To obey this does not lead us to victory; to obey it is victory. Have you felt discouraged seeing others who don’t deserve it excel or be blessed? Our heavenly Father “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matthew 5:45). To “fear the Lord” in a practical way merely means to trust that your life is in his hands. Trust him when there’s hardship, trust him when life isn’t fair, trust him to work all things together for your good (see Romans 8:28).

One Year Bible Reading

Isaiah 25:1–28:13; Galatians 3:10-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 23:17-18