Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:1-3
Worldly prosperity can be so deceiving. The promises it makes of freedom - of joy - of acceptance are nothing more than shadows. Eventually, we will feel trapped, depressed, and rejected, for everything the world offers will fade. Only the glory of the Lord will remain.
So why do I envy those who seem to be enjoying all the world offers them?
Too many times, I covet the lives of the wicked. They seem to have it all. Anything they want, they take. Their wildest desires, they fulfill. Nothing is off-limits. Here I am, denying myself for the sake of righteousness, and those of this world seem to be so happy. But their happiness is an illusion. The image that is seen from the outside cannot reveal the truth.
Would I envy their loneliness on sleepless nights, their agony on the morning after, or their anxiety from waiting for some test result that could reveal an uncertain fate? The ways of the righteous bring true freedom, joy, and acceptance.
But as for me, there are times I have slipped; there are times I have lost my foothold.
Lord, help me to stand in firm places. Too often I have turned my eyes from Your salvation to gaze at the world. Nothing it offers can compare to You, but envy is my constant companion. Help me to remember - the wicked will perish. Today's illusion will be tomorrow's terror. Save the lost, Father.
Oh, how the world needs You.