Todays readings.. Genesis 34&35m Psalm 37, Matthew 22
“BE NOT ENVIOUS”
The world today concentrates an enormous amount on marketing goods and services: the internet, radio, TV, newspapers and magazines are full of promoting one kind of thing or another. A fundamental aim is to make people envious of what other people have or experience so that they want it themselves! Do we feel envious at times?
David’s Psalm (No. 37) today is very special. David is full of spiritual advice to those who aim to live in a godly way among the attitudes in the world of 2017. David says, “I have been young and now I am old” [v.25], so these are words of reflection in the latter end of his life.
David starts by saying [v.1] “be not envious of wrongdoers” because they, like the grass, have no future. In another Psalm we will read, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” [73 v.3] But it is not just a matter of avoiding doing wrong, or of not being envious of the successful. Positive thoughts and attitudes must be developed! We now turn to note what David says in today’s Psalm, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way” [v.7]
It is a real challenge to “be still” in that sense – in a world that is so active in experiencing and aiming to do everything possible that seems to be within their reach – most unwisely so in many cases!
Those who are now old think this is a crazy world, but very few of the young see it this way. David sees a time when “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” [v.11]
Our Lord Jesus repeats this and applies it to inheriting the entire earth! [Matt. 5 v.5] David says, “the Lord laughs (mocks) at the wicked for he sees that his day is coming” [v.13]. Finally we note v.30 & 31, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” This means – for sure – that he or she is “not envious.” We lay the foundation for this kind of thinking and living by daily reading the word of God, and really thinking about what we read.
