Friday, February 3, 2012

Envious?

      
  But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.
    For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
    until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end...
        Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
    Psalm 73:2-3,25-26 

I am ashamed to say that I have had these same thoughts.  Why in the world do God's people suffer so, worldwide, and the wicked either proper or many times carry out the persecution of those who believe?  Why do they have the privilege of conning others and living on their greed?  Why can they take advantage of others and prosper from it?  It's difficult sometimes to remember that their high living is only temporary.

Where can we go when we begin to have these thoughts, that the wicked are better off than we?  To God's Word, of course!  It behooves us to consider:
   
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 4:1-9

We have HIM!  What more can we need?

Praying for grace to understand this without complaint,
Gloria


3 comments:

Belinda

Ahhh Gloria, I struggle with this so often, but not really with the wicked having more. I know that's all they will ever have and it's so sad. No, I struggle with wondering why God chooses to bless other Christians more than me. I know, that is a terrible thing to wrestle with. I should be so thankful He has given me all I need. So, I usually have to ask forgiveness frequently for this.

Angelia

Ive wondered what happens to people who can afford to pay an outrageous amount for something but makes it ok in their minds? im not envious of wasteful foolishness.

Cranberry Morning

I love that passage from I Peter. And that is a very eye-catching visual, Gloria!! :-)

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