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Proverbs 24:1-22 (NIV)
Saying 20
24 Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; 2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5 The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. 6 Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8 Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer. 9 The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! 11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. 14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, 22 for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Do God’s people fall? What’s the difference between God’s people falling and the ungodly falling? (verse 16)
Lord, life is not easy. We live in a world that has fallen to corruption and sin. Help me not fret due to the deeds of evildoers because they have no future, and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. The wicked depends on lies and deceitful schemes which will eventually fail them, it cannot be sustained, and then they have nothing but despair. You have not promised that life would be easy if we follow You. We can expect trials, especially at the hands of the unrighteous. Those who are righteous are faithful to You and keep Your ways even during times of trial. We are shaped and refined by trial. We have resilience because of our great hope in You and Your plan for us. You promise blessings for those who love you and keep Your commands. One of those blessings is for protection from enemies who would do us harm. You are our strength and our shield. In Your wisdom there is hope for the future and Your hope will not be cut off. We have been saved and redeemed by Your sacrifice on the cross. You will return and make all things new and make them right. Lord, I love You with all my heart, soul, and strength and seek to know You and follow You. Teach me what I need to learn from adversity. Let me let go of what is harmful and help me to grow in areas where I need to grow. Strengthen my faith and trust in You. Keep my head up and my eyes on You. I grasp on to the hope of Your eternal salvation and hold on to Your promises for redemption and trust in Your faithfulness. Amen