Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 23:18
People are influenced by what they see and hear, though they may not be aware of how strong the influence is. Advertising today tells you what the “ideal” is in looks, health, and experiences. Humanity changes from generation to generation with the pressures of society. Look at fashion, for example. Though women once wore ankle-length dresses, now standards of modesty have changed so that a minimum of material is generally accepted. Politically, issues of socialism, abortion, and gender fluidity have gained ground.
Christians are to yield to God’s influence above all. The verse immediately preceding today’s verse is a prerequisite for the future and hope that God desires for His people. “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:17). Some synonyms for zealous are enthusiastic, passionate, and fervent. Passionately put the Lord first and let Him be the deciding factor in your life. Jesus taught about the way His people should sway others with good works which glorify God, by comparing them to salt to give flavor and light to show the way (Matthew 5:13-16).
Be a positive influence on the people around you. Seek the Lord in prayer for yourself, your family, and the country. Be careful that political debates do not infringe on the importance God has placed on loving Him and loving others. Pray for unity for the church and salvation for the lost and that the United States will come more into line with what God desires for this nation.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 23:18
Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
