Envy~

“For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men” (Ps. 73: 3-5).

“When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—  Until I went into the sanctuary of God;  Then I understood their end” (Ps 73: 16-17).

 “Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.  I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.  Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.   

Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.   My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.   But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works (Psalm 73: 21-28).

I love how David described his feelings in this passage.  I also love that he explains that after going into the sanctuary of God he then understood the end of those he envied.  It is so easy to look at others and be envious of their jobs, homes, families, vehicles, or whatever.  David points out that when his heart was grieved over such things that he was foolish and ignorant.  It is encouraging to me to read the struggles, and the hearts cry of one who is named a man after God’s own heart.  He admits his weakness in verse twenty five as he states that his flesh and his heart fail.  He doesn’t leave it there though; he proclaims that God is the strength of his heart and his portion forever.   

The end of this passage sums it all up, and is my heart’s desire.  “But It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works”.   I pray that I will keep my eyes, my heart, and my mind on the Lord and focus on what He has for my life, and to do what He is calling me to do.