October 17

For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. — Prov 23:18 BSB

The allure of sin is a deception. What seems so attractive in the moment will, in the end, bring only destruction. “Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” A wicked person may appear to prosper for a while, but there is a future reckoning. Sin will inevitably lead to a harvest of pain and punishment. If we could see things clearly, we would recognize that even now, the fruits of a godly life are far sweeter than those of sin.

No faithful young person would envy their sinful neighbor if they could follow them through their reckless living and see the sickening aftermath. “Sorrow follows wrong, as echo follows song.”

The peace that comes from living according to God’s will is infinitely better than the remorse and regret that sin brings. There would be no envy if a godly young person could set the two lives side by side and see them in their true light.

One young man found himself surrounded by friends who drank heavily. Would he join them? He considered the older men around him and saw the toll that alcohol had taken on those who started drinking when they were young. He also observed those who had chosen not to drink. Based on this, he made his decision. “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”