Hope in God, Not in Man - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - February 19, 2025
“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.” Proverbs 23:17-18
We live in a tumultuous world. Right is wrong and wrong is right. A quick flip onto the news lets us know how chaotic our world is. It's difficult to trust in anything that's going on in society because it seems we have walked far away from God and his promises.
This can make it difficult for Christians to understand what is truly right and what is truly wrong. This is especially true when we watch what's currently popular on television and in movies. Their work, when people are exposed to it long enough, can normalize sin and make people turn away from the truth of God's Word.
It seems celebrities who don't believe in God or live their lives making a mockery out of God's Word with debauchery, lust, greed, envy, etc. seem to prosper. However, the people who are trying to live righteous lives and do their best to live out God's commands often find trials at every turn. It can be difficult to trust God and place our hope in him when the world is so chaotic.
It can seem as if the wicked prosper, yet we know that because of God's promises they will not. By the world's standards, they prosper because they have a lot of money, or they have the most popular relationship. However, a more in-depth look at Hollywood will tell us that most Hollywood couples divorce within the first seven to ten years of their relationship. This can leave them hurting and broken. This is the part that we don't see. Instead, we see them starring in the next action film and becoming a popular superhero once again.
We need to keep in mind that these people are human beings too. For those who do not believe in God, they wander aimlessly, going from relationship to relationship and from acting job to acting job. But just as Solomon said, “Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” King Solomon had everything a person could want. He had numerous concubines, which meant he was married to hundreds of women. He was among the wealthiest during that time.
Yet, as he pours out his heart to us in his book, he tells us that it's all meaningless. Just as the wind can suddenly change course, stop, or become so violent that it's difficult to move, chasing after money or relationships without being anchored in God is unpredictable and dangerous. Sometimes it will be so volatile it will be difficult for us to move forward. Other times, it will change direction so suddenly, we may be left questioning why God abandoned us.
But God reassures us that we are not alone. For those of us who trust in him, he will always be the firm foundation on which we can stand. Even when the wind blows so violently it threatens to knock us down, God promises that he will always be the anchor we can hold on to when life tries to sway us in different directions.
Don't look with envy and jealousy upon the celebrities of Hollywood. Even though it may be tempting to wish we could be like them with all their possessions and worldly wisdom, the reality is it all will come to nothing. One sudden tragedy or natural disaster can destroy everything.
Celebrities’ foundations built on wealth and love can quickly become a foundation of poverty and loneliness. The only way we can withstand the wind is to put our hope in God. When we don't envy sinners, God promises we will have a future, and we'll always have hope in him.
Let's pray:
Father, let us be people who aren’t lured by celebrity charms. Let us understand that these are human beings just like us. As they chase after the fruitless cares of worldly wealth and love, they have been deceived just like we are if we chase after them. Reassure us that you are our only hope. Help us know that when we place our trust and hope in you, we will always have a future with you. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/metamorworks
Related Resource: Anxiety: Practical Steps for Healing in Christ
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