Whatever You Do, Don't Envy Them (Psalm 37 #4)
When the world seems run by scoundrels, and when it seems like their skulduggery works so that they prosper, it can be tempting to wish we were in their shoes. This is one of the tempations that David challenges us to avoid in Psalm 37:1-40. "Be not envious of evildoers" (Psalm 37:1)!
One reason it's folly to envy those in power and who seem to be getting their way at the expense of others is that their flower is fast fading (Psalm 37:2). For the righteous to wish for what the wicked has--their power, their wealth, their influence, their victoires, their control of the White House, their manipulation of the system--would be as foolish as if the sun would envy a hundred watt bulb! The sun is more brilliant, and the sun's radiance more enduring. The 100 watter will flicker and die.
In short, the powerful and prosperous above us will "wither like the green herb" beneath a blazing sun (Psalm 37:2), while "the heritage of the blameless will remain forever" (Psalm 37:18).
For this reason, "Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked" (Psalm 37:16). Do you have a little? Do you have today's bread, a couple of outfits to wear, something simple to get around in, a roof over your head, a glass of water, enough health to get by?
Then you are better off than the D.C's power-grabbers and all the kings and presidents on earth. Enjoy what God has given you more than you worry about what government is taking away from you. Don't panic and fret over the media and cultural elite's seeming stranglehold on our culture. In the end they will perish while you endure.
Do you have a little with a righteous standing before God in Christ? You have more than all the wicked kings of earth combined! Do you have today's bread along with an increasingly transformed and righteous life by the sanctifying mercy of the Holy Spirit? Then you are the rich one. You are the truly powerful one. You are the one toppling the dominions and powers within by the grace of God.
I plead with my friends to give far more time and attention to enjoying, reading about, delighting in, and being satisfied with all they have in Jesus than they do reading about, fretting over, fighting for, and arguing about what the government is taking away, or how government might be better run.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't speak up or be concerned. I'm just saying that if you're fretting and fuming on a regular basis about all that's wrong with the world and the powers that be, you're letting them take away far more than your freedom or taxes. You're letting them take away your joy and contentment.
Whatever government can take away, they cannot touch a heart contented in God. Friends, whatever you do, don't envy the wicked or pine for the good old days. Live in the present moment of God's goodness and righteousness--and whatever happens you will be able to remain unfazed and unflappably joyful in your soul.
One reason it's folly to envy those in power and who seem to be getting their way at the expense of others is that their flower is fast fading (Psalm 37:2). For the righteous to wish for what the wicked has--their power, their wealth, their influence, their victoires, their control of the White House, their manipulation of the system--would be as foolish as if the sun would envy a hundred watt bulb! The sun is more brilliant, and the sun's radiance more enduring. The 100 watter will flicker and die.
In short, the powerful and prosperous above us will "wither like the green herb" beneath a blazing sun (Psalm 37:2), while "the heritage of the blameless will remain forever" (Psalm 37:18).
For this reason, "Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked" (Psalm 37:16). Do you have a little? Do you have today's bread, a couple of outfits to wear, something simple to get around in, a roof over your head, a glass of water, enough health to get by?
Then you are better off than the D.C's power-grabbers and all the kings and presidents on earth. Enjoy what God has given you more than you worry about what government is taking away from you. Don't panic and fret over the media and cultural elite's seeming stranglehold on our culture. In the end they will perish while you endure.
Do you have a little with a righteous standing before God in Christ? You have more than all the wicked kings of earth combined! Do you have today's bread along with an increasingly transformed and righteous life by the sanctifying mercy of the Holy Spirit? Then you are the rich one. You are the truly powerful one. You are the one toppling the dominions and powers within by the grace of God.
I plead with my friends to give far more time and attention to enjoying, reading about, delighting in, and being satisfied with all they have in Jesus than they do reading about, fretting over, fighting for, and arguing about what the government is taking away, or how government might be better run.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't speak up or be concerned. I'm just saying that if you're fretting and fuming on a regular basis about all that's wrong with the world and the powers that be, you're letting them take away far more than your freedom or taxes. You're letting them take away your joy and contentment.
Whatever government can take away, they cannot touch a heart contented in God. Friends, whatever you do, don't envy the wicked or pine for the good old days. Live in the present moment of God's goodness and righteousness--and whatever happens you will be able to remain unfazed and unflappably joyful in your soul.
Labels: Contentment, Culture War, Faith, politics
posted by Tim Shorey at
7:30 AM
1 Comments:
Thanks again Tim!
I just heard a reading of Jude. I would recommend to all who even have a hint of envy to read it. The end of the wicked as designed by God is quite clear. Just as clear is the end of the righteous, by a loving God who knows how to keep his own to the end!
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