Day 20
Envy vs. Hope
Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off. [Proverbs 23:17–18]
Have you noticed that so often when the Bible talks about hope it is an antidote to a problem?
In this passage the contrast is between envy and hope. On first glance you may think, “I don’t envy sinners!”
That’s what I thought too!
So let’s think about this. Honestly, there are times when I’m struggling with a habitual sin so intensely that I am envious of those who don’t care what God thinks. I imagine, “It would be so much easier to just give up and wallow in my own choices and desires.”
I’m so grateful that God knew we’d have these moments. And what does He offer us in exchange for envy and wallowing in our sin? Hope: A future hope that cannot be cut off.
What’s great about this hope is that hope in God can outlast any envy, any struggle, any temptation. Not because of the power of your hope, but because of the certainty of the object of your hope: God.
So when you are tempted to envy, whether it is your perception of someone else’s freedom, someone’s position or someone else’s life, refocus your emotions on your unchanging God and the future hope He has for you.
Question to Consider
When has envy robbed me of hope? How does knowing I have a future hope that cannot be taken away encourage me today?
Prayer
Lord, I confess to You that there are times I envy others in these ways (think about this and confess specifically to God). Help me replace that envy with a confident hope in Your power and Your Word.
