The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Proverbs 24:16
What comfort these verses give, especially when we’re in the face of adversity! I know for myself that many times I wanted to give up because life seemed too hard, but these words always seem to echo back to me, and spur me on to keep persevering.
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 24:16
Last night, the show “Bridezillas” was on TV. I was saying to my husband that it really baffled me that those spoiled rotten, and very egotistical people seemed to flourish, and nothing awful ever seems to happen to them. But then I quickly realized that this is the Bible coming to life! I mean, how many times does the Bible tell us not to envy the wicked? The Word says that this life is the only prosperity and happiness they will know. “So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.” This is such a powerful Psalm, let’s continue…
“When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas
As a person laughs at dreams in the morning.”
A dream exists only in the mind of the dreamer. Don’t let your life’s goals be so unreal that you awaken too late and miss the reality of God’s truth. Happiness and hope most certainly can be a reality, but only when they’re based on God, not riches. Because reality is in God, we should get as close to Him as we can in order to be realistic in life.
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
And I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
Leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.”
Those who desert him will perish,
For you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
And I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73: 20-28
