Proverbs Chapter 23 verses 17-18 (NIV)
Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Following on from yesterday a little. It can be a bad thing to be seen to be zealous, except as we are told here to be zealous, not just for the Lord, but for the fear of the Lord. There is a difference. If we are zealous for the fear of the Lord, then surely that means we conduct ourselves before a holy God as we should.
If we do that then the only person we don’t want to offend or upset is God Himself. If we keep that at the forefront of our mind, then I don’t think we can go far wrong. Also if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ then we won’t get caught up being envious of what’s happening elsewhere.
Dear Lord,
Help me always, as Bill Ramage, my first pastor, often taught, remember with whom it is we have to do. You are Holy and just and worthy of praise. Amen.