Proverbs 23:17-18

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:17-18

We can sometimes become envious of sinners when we see that things always seemingly go their way, that they enjoy comfortable lifestyles, and that they appear to escape God’s judgment. This proverb commands us not to allow envy into our hearts but to be zealous for the fear of the Lord. The phrase “fear of the Lord” means to have reverence and awe for God, and we are commanded to zealously practice this attitude all day long. The result of the fear of the Lord is wisdom (Proverbs 1:7), and in this wisdom, we will know how to serve and honor God in our lives.

The second half of today’s passage closes with the promise that there is a life after death and that we can have a sure hope in it. Why do we have this hope? Because of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross and his subsequent resurrection. Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin, but He conquered the power of death, giving us assurance of eternal life. What a glorious hope to concentrate on as we live zealously for the fear of the Lord.

Pastor Jeff Mericle