Your Hope in Jesus Will Not Be Cut Off (Proverbs 23:17-18)
Listen Here:
Proverbs 23:17-18
Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18 Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
These verses are deeply encouraging to me. Have you ever felt tempted to envy sinners? Have you ever watched the wicked seem to prosper while your own life feels like one long drought?
Verse 17 warns us: “Let not your heart envy sinners.”
Easier said than lived. It’s a subtle trap – one that the Lord knows we are prone to fall into. Otherwise, why would He warn us? Clearly, there’s something about the wayward sinner’s life that can look appealing. There are moments when rebellion seems rewarding, when compromise looks easier, when sin appears to pay off.
But that’s a lie. We should never envy sinners. In fact, our hearts should be full – not of envy – but of compassion for them.
Because, to use verse 18’s language, “Surely there is a future” for the wicked sinner – but it’s not a glorious one. It’s one worthy of our deepest compassion and our most urgent pursuit with the love of Jesus.
We have zero reason to envy a wayward life. Instead, the second half of verse 17 gives us something better to pursue: “Continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.”
Why? Because it’s worth it. Because He’s worth it. It’s worth waking up with God, walking with God, and laying your head down at night with God, knowing you are His.
For “Surely there is a future” for the one who fears the Lord. And that future? That hope? It’s glorious. And as our verses conclude: “It will not be cut off.”
An old commentator, Charles Bridges, put it this way – but I’m paraphrasing in my own words:
Surely there’s an end to all of this. If the cross you’re carrying feels heavy, remember – you won’t have to carry it forever. If the road feels exhausting, the finish line is closer than you think. And when you get there? It’ll all be worth it. That’s why endurance and faith mark the life of a believer (Revelation 13:10).
So in the waiting, don’t judge God by how things feel right now. His plan is still unfolding. Hold onto His Word. Let His providence play out. Don’t call something finished when He’s still working. Wait. Trust. Remain steadfast. And soon enough, you’ll see, as James 5:11 tells us, the “purpose of the Lord” revealed.
I think there’s great wisdom in reflecting on our own hearts with these verses – to ask ourselves:
Where am I prone to envy sinners instead of having compassion for them?
So let’s pray for that. But as we do, let me encourage you:
‘Surely there is a future for the believer.
Our hope in Jesus will not be cut off.’
No matter the circumstance, no matter what you see – your future is secure in Him.
Let’s pray.
