Tuesday... Two four letter words that are far apart.

Both of them are found here in Proverbs 23:17-18 (AMP). The first one is the word envy. It is such an empty word. It has no power in it except to make us depressed, discouraged and dissatisfied.

Here is what it says, "Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation]," And there is the other four letter word. It is the word hope. Here it is again, "Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], but [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day. Surely there is a future [and a reward], and your hope and expectation will not be cut off." And there is a big, big difference in the two.

So what is envy? It is a discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. In no way does envy lift you up.

But hope is another thing. It is a feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen. There is power in hope. There really is. Especially if your hope is in God.

I love the word expectation. The last part of verse 18 says, "Surely there is a future [and a reward], and your hope and expectation will not be cut off." Now the key here is to "[continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day." The NIRV says, "But always show great respect for the Lord." The CEV says, "always honor the Lord." If your hope is connected to God then there is a future and a reward. And that is not true with envy.

I hope to have a good life. Well if my hope is connected to God then I know that if I continue to submit to God in humility and faith day by day then whatever happens I can believe there will be a future reward, and that my hope and expectation will not be cut off.

So there is our choice. Let's choose hope. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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