Choose Confidence

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
CHOOSE CONFIDENCE
Prov 3:31-32
31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
NIV
Why in the world would I ever envy a person of violence? Maybe understanding the Hebrew word which implies a person who opposes others for the purpose of an unjust gain, I really would not ever envy that kind of person. Although I suppose it could be easy enough to what to have all that gain, that great abundance of material things, and wealth. To live in such excess, never having to consider the cost of anything my heart could ever desire would not necessary be difficult. But to gain that unjustly, at the cost to so many others, would be completely against every principle of God and this especially for God detests that kind of action. People who live according to the principles of this world, using whatever means possible to gain an advantage over others, either by wealth or position are in trouble. Those who spend their efforts in the pursuit of having more, being better, attaining prestige through position in society and have no regard for the ways of God are deeply troubled. I think sometimes even those who profess a personal relationship with God get diverted into this kind of living, and that is why this warning has been spoken. I must ever be on my guard against such thinking, and never ever envy any who live in such a manner for their end may not be as pleasant as they believe they life is. No, I would much rather have that which only God provides for me, live as he has desired me to live, where he has chosen for me and do what he has directed me. What a great reward it is being included in his confidence. To be in close deliberation with God, to have that kind of intimacy, that kind of consultation, and know his secret is far greater than anything this human life could ever offer. Why would I envy someone who does not have that? I surely believe it has to be one or the other, for both cannot be had. I have decided to choose his confidence.