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 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 even a longer run without a refreshing of the body
and mind. All that being said… 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.
A quick check in my spirit put things right back into perspective. Although I was
due for some “down time”, I knew that 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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