Pressing On

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 23

Gold Nugget

Verse 17: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;”

Commentary

It was late on a Friday afternoon when I originally wrote this devotion. Although I had much on my plate that coming weekend, it wasn’t much in the way of “me time”. All around, I heard the plans of everyone’s weekend explorations. Some were healthy intentions for family and friends; others were designed for more of an indulgence of the flesh, while some just planned to rest for two days. I on the other hand, had much preparation to do that Sunday when I married my son and his fiancé. I had the rehearsal dinner that Saturday evening. I had a long run with my running buddy early Saturday morning. (He added some extra distance… more than I was interested in.) After that, I had something else of a rather unpleasant nature to attend to. My weekend was gone in a flash and it brought me right back to my desk Monday morning. The next week was full of long commutes, late nights writing, preparing Wednesday night’s bible study lesson and preparing a message for the following weekend. I usually had some time on Sunday afternoons to unwind and get re-focused, but instead had an eventful day  without a refreshing of the body and mind. Just for a moment, I envied some of the folks around me. They seem to have less on their plates and more time for themselves.

After a moment of envy of those with time for personal pleasures, a received a quick check in my spirit to put things right back into perspective. Although I was due for some “down time”, I knew the Lord had much work that He desired be done. He wants us to be refreshed, but He also wants us to have endurance. My rest times come and will come in the right time. As for now, I must press on and let those of the world do their own thing without me. I will obey the scripture that serves as today’s “gold nugget”, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;” Although it may sound unpleasant the way I described it, in honesty, it was only physically exhausting. I enjoyed visiting with family and friends at the rehearsal and wedding. It was an absolute blessing to watch my son marry a truly amazing woman. The privilege of writing this devotion, teaching and preaching was more rewarding to my soul than I can describe. So although the work is sometimes “work”, the Master that I labor for is the most amazing boss anyone could set out to serve. So the world can have all of its excitement and pleasures. I will “not let my heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;”

Prayer

Lord, sometimes I just need a little boost from you to get my head on right and my heart in position. There is nothing this world has to offer that compares to the joy of serving you. We must work while it is yet day, for soon darkness comes when none can work. Amen

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