Proverbs 23:17-18 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.
Recommended Reading: Psalm 73; Proverbs 3:31; 24:1–2,19–20
Why does it seem that the sinner is having a great time in life and the righteous seemed to be suffering? This doesn’t fit the picture of God’s justice, and until we come into God’s presence and get an eternal perspective about this, we will continually ask the question. In the long run, the pleasures of the sinner will pass into pain and the pain of those who love God will give way to pleasures in his presence forever. Proverbs strongly warns us here and elsewhere against envying those who are not living for God. At times it may look like they are having all the fun, but their lives will ultimately be unfulfilling unless they forsake evil and follow God’s paths. Because we are confident in our hope, we can be zealous for God and refuse to envy sinners. We are rich in God’s goodness not only now but also in the future. We will never regret the hard choices we make for him.
