THE LORD’S BRANCH CHRISTIAN CENTRE
THE BRANCH’S WAY-Isaiah 4:2 (A WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE) Sunday March 10, 2024
DO NOT ENVY THEM
Text: Psalms 37: 1- 7 (NIV) “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
In today's world, godlessness is daily increasing. The standard and the ways of the Lord have been eroded. The get rich quick syndrome has taken over, this they do mostly in unrighteous ways by stealing, kidnapping, defrauding and they even kill the reason why money rituals are common. The prosperity of the ungodly is making many believers to question their being good or holy. The wealth and success of the evil doers is so alluring that many people are wishing they are in their positions.
But David who is dear to God's own Heart is advising us never to envy the wealth or success of the evil doers, believers are not to follow their evil ways of getting wealth or succeeding. Even though the evil doers appear to be excessively rich with big houses, posh cars, high class groups, with great popularity in the society. True believers are not to envy them. No matter what or how much they have.
Proverbs 24:1-2 said "Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. [2] For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Solomon advised not to walk in the way of the evil doers (Proverbs 1), in Psalms 1: 1- 2 David said "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
David called us to put our trust in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to Him.
When we do what God wants and we live by His standards, God Himself will then place the right kind of desires in us and He will also fulfil them. For the Scriptures say "it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2: 13).
It is very important for us believers to know that God is always in the know of what we are going through, and He is very concerned about the happening in every life. And, He will always hear the cries of His children. God said even though a woman may forget her sucking child, but He will not forget us as each of us name is graven on the Palms of His Hands (Isaiah 49: 15- 16).
Our future lies in our absolute trust in God, the best is still available for us despite the present predicament of the nation. We should know that the wealth of the evil doers cannot redeem them, nor be offered to God as a ransom or bribe for eternity. A day will surely come when the evil doers will wish they could trade places with us to have eternal wealth. As what they look and see as wealth or success today will become worthless. It is the blessings of God that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).
Let it be very clear to us that, the fact that one is very rich is not a sign of God's approval on the person's life, neither the lack of wealth in a person is a sign of God's disapproval. Do not allow wealth or lack of it to become your obsession. Do not run after wealth as to lose your love for God. Never allow the pursuit of wealth or success to take the place of your family, friends and God.
The Scriptures say "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that uses his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work" (Jeremiah 22: 13). “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous to go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.”
(Proverbs 10:2-3 NIV)
Jeremiah 17:11 says "As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a FOOL". The book of Job chapter 31: 3 says ill-gotten wealth will at the end become calamity and disaster. The book further said that evil doers will one day be taken away, and all they own (land, houses, cars etc) will all be cursed even their mothers will forget them only WORMS will want them"(Job 24: 18, 20).
Let the evil doer therefore, take to the advice of Isaiah "to forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him RETURN unto the Lord our God, and God will have mercy as well as pardon him; (Isaiah 55: 7). The book of Job 11:14 says "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles". Job 22:23 further emphasized the need for the evil doers to put away iniquity from their homes and to return to the Almighty, and God shall build them up.
Jesus is waiting for as many that would want to amend their ways, He stands and knocks at the door of your heart waiting for your invite. He is willing to come in and eat with you, it does not matter how far gone you are in sin. Jesus is saying come now and wash yourself in the Blood He provided on Calvary Mountain and you shall be clean, even though your sins may be like scarlet, they shall be removed and you will be as wool that is as white as snow. If you want Jesus to cause a turn around in your life and way pray this simple prayer of salvation: Lord Jesus, I have gone my own way and sinned against you. Have mercy on me and forgive my sin. I believe you are the Son of God who died for my sins and You rose from the dead and ascended to heaven and sits at the right Hand of God the Father. Today, come into my life as I surrender my life to You. Give me Your Holy Spirit to lead me in my life's journey. Thank You Jesus for accepting me. I congratulate whoever might have said the prayers.
Prayers:
1. Holy Spirit if I am on the wrong path, reposition me in the name of Jesus.
2. Holy Spirit help me to live a pleasing life before You, in Jesus name.
3. Every hinderance to God's plans for me be destroyed in Jesus name.
4. My yesterday would not destroy my today and my tomorrow in Jesus name.
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