Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
“Who can stand before envy?” Not me!! The wrath and anger of someone can do much harm, it can even be barbarous however, envy is an impossible and dreaded thing to remain in the company of! There are people that fall victim to envy instead of rejoicing in the work that God is doing in another persons life. They allow sin to overtake them and instead of becoming part of the work God is doing they set themselves against it. When someone is filled with envy quite often they try to cause division with their words, and prove to be faithless friends. It is uncomfortable to even hold a conversation with someone who is filled with envy for you never know what they will twist and turn. How would God have us behave when we find ourselves before envy? Consider Saul and his envy of David.
- Saul’s envy sent David on the run for his life. Instead of staying in the company and trying to resolve things ourselves we would be wise to remember it is best to part paths for the season and wait for God to calm the hearts involved.
- Saul was unjust in his pursuit for David and yet David remained respectful to the authority God had placed in His life. Likewise, we should remember it is God that can change the hearts of man. If God has allowed someone in a place of authority over us. Prayerfully, seek His plan why and submit to it.
- David respected what God was doing in Saul’s life. While Saul chassed David for sometime, while David cried out to God for relief, he maintained His respect for God’s timing! We too should respect what God is doing in the other persons life. We must respect the time that it might take for God to calm the storms and maintain our honor to God in all our words and deeds.
- When David could have allowed others to take Saul's life David made it clear that no one was to do so! Many times when those that love us see someone hurting us they want to take action into their own hands. It is easy for us to encourage their behavior yet, we are shown by David’s example that we are to give strict instruction to all those involved that they are to let God do what God is doing. Anyone that tries to take matters into their own hands is not doing so with our blessing. In fact, anyone that interferes risks losing the fellowship we hold with them as well.
As I consider the people that God has placed in my life and the times that I have stood before envy; the time that ungodly authority had control of my ability to do what I knew God had called me to do; I can not separate the memories from the spiritual growth that was brought to fruition from those seasons of life. I can remember the pain, the trial, the mornings that I was on my face before the Lord with tears, crying out for His power. I remember the friendships that I have had to give over to the Lord because I can not stand before envy. I also have a peace that passes all understanding because of these trials. I have a confidence that these moments have built. My personal relationship with God is different because of these moments… Truly God does use all things for His glory and for our good if we love Him!!
“Who can stand before envy?” NOT ME!!
Because of His Grace,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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