Thought for the Day

Verse 19 - We should not envy any privilege or possession of the wicked, nor consider forsaking God for the sake of temporary riches or power. What the wicked have in this world is already passing away. Fretting is an ungodly trait; it is a form of worry. God does not want us to worry, but to cast our cares upon Him who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

We are told to remain thankful, no matter what kind of situation we find ourselves in, and look to God in prayer for the needed answers to the problems of that situation. When we do this, God furnishes His peace to us, even in a storm or fearful circumstances. God's peace is one of the most wonderful gifts that He gives to us because it is not dependent upon our circumstances. Every child of God can testify to this, since we all face problems in life, and many times we should be worried or upset. However, because we pray, we are given His peace that passes all human understanding. "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace (be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, AMP).

Verse 20 - Wicked men will not be rewarded by God. They do reap what they sow, but they will never be given a reward from God, as the righteous man receives. Jesus tells us that when he returns, He will be bringing a reward with Him to give to every person according to what he has done. We are not saved by works; salvation is God's free gift to all who repent of their sin and give their lives to Jesus Christ. However, after we are saved, God records our works in a book. We will be rewarded for everything we have done for Him at Christ's coming (Revelation 22:12).

This verse also states that the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished. Light is God's blessing to us. Without light, no one can walk safely, either physically or spiritually. The first thing we do when the power fails is to search for a flashlight or a candle. Living in permanent darkness would be an awful thing. Natural darkness is only a picture of the true darkness which is spiritual. Jesus is described as the light of the world: "...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12b). Following Jesus, causes us to walk in the light, so that we can see the proper path, do our tasks, know when things are dirty so that we can clean them, enjoy seeing beauty and the people we love, and so much more. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9-10).