Psalm 73:2-3 – “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my step had almost slipped. ³ For I was envious of the boastful, I saw the peace of the wicked.”

Today is a day to rejoice because it is the day God has made, and more blessings and victories are waiting to be discovered than we can imagine.

Focus is essential!   

When we choose to rejoice and focus on God our troubles will pale compared to the Light of His Glory.  I did not say they would magically disappear, but they would be put in perspective!

The Psalmist confessed that he had allowed his focus on the seeming ease and prosperity of the wicked to get him down.  It had almost shipwrecked his faith.  It had nearly caused him to throw up his hands and give up.  He was battling difficulties in life, but it seemed that those around him, far less committed and engaging in evil, were getting away with murder.  His attitude was, “God, How Could You?”

Most of us have been there, even if we refuse to admit it. Envy is a focus shifter that destroys faith and confidence. Paul admonished us not to compare ourselves with others.  

• First, we have no idea what is happening in their lives and what God might be doing.   The only life in which we can have any idea of what is happening is ours. 
• Second, when we allow envy or jealousy to gain a foothold, we slap God in the face.

He is Love, true!  But we must never forget He is Holy and Righteous and works on each individual differently. We must never lose focus on Him!

A few verses later, the Psalmist revealed his epiphany: “If I had allowed myself to rehearse what I saw and allow envy to bear fruit, I would have lost my faith. I would have turned my back on God.”  He continued, saying, “When I went to the sanctuary, I understood.”

That sanctuary does not necessarily have to be a church, but it is the Throne Room of God and into God’s presence. In His presence, our hearts and minds are open to understanding, and we realize that God’s dealings with everyone are personalized. There is no one-size-fits-all.

As we Seek God first, we realize that our Hope is Him and our provision is Him. I do not care what someone else has. They may have more than enough, and I may be in need. It may appear that they are facing no demons in their life while I am fighting every devil in hell. It may seem that nothing wrong touches them, and everything I feel falls apart. But GOD is still God, and there will be a payday one day.

Never allow the devil to entangle you in the debate about fairness.   Life is not always fair from the human viewpoint, but God is always just, righteous, loving, kind, and compassionate.   God cares about the condition of our hearts.  You can count it all joy “if” you realize that God’s love allows you to go through trials, and His purpose is to make you strong so you can be a channel through which He can bless others materially and spiritually.

If you are blessed with a million dollars and have ten cents to my name, I will rejoice with you.  I have learned that life is not about comparisons but companionship.  Life is not about who has the most ease but being in that Secret Place with God!

Let us determine that we will Seek God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our spiritual maturity.  If we do, I believe several things will transpire:

• We will grow to a place of trust so completely that we refuse to compare ourselves with others.
• We will refuse to be envious or jealous of what another has or is not going through.
• We will realize that CHRIST IN US is our hope!
• We will realize and experience God’s Love and the work of Jesus on the Cross so profoundly that we will lose all self-centeredness, and envy cannot grow in a selfless heart.

Today, your victory is awaiting you!  I pray that you will see it and seize it. Turn to God and resist the devil, and the devil will have no choice but to leave! I declare that this is!

May today be a day of overflowing victory and exquisite joy for you!