This morning, reading in Proverbs 23, it’s a much needed reminder within a familiar refrain that causes me to pause.

The underlying heartbeat of Proverbs is that of a father wanting fullness of life for his son. The instructions, the pearls of wisdom, and the pleas are those of a dad who wants what’s best for his kid. Twenty-three times “my son” is addressed with the desire that he would seek the paths of wisdom and righteousness and flee the ways of foolishness and destruction.

But dad’s voice isn’t the only voice vying for this young man’s attention. There’s the alluring voice of the unfaithful wife, and overt invitation of the brazen prostitute. There are the voices of those who are clearly wicked yet have realized a measure of “success” and riches though their calculating devices. So much so, that it’s enough to make a young man — or a young woman — ask themselves if the way of righteousness is really worth it? Face it, when the going get’s tough, it can be tough to be faithful. When others seem to be getting ahead, it can be hard for the righteous to stay in their lane.

And so, the heart and desire of the father is again laid out for the son.

My son, if your heart is wise,
       my heart too will be glad.
My inmost being will exult
       when your lips speak what is right.
Let not your heart envy sinners,
       but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
Surely there is a future,
       and your hope will not be cut off.

(Proverbs 23:18 ESV)

Surely there is a future . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Don’t envy sinners. Don’t be distracted by how the wicked play the game. Don’t be deceived by what they count as victory. Don’t be drawn in by what they claim as their prize. Don’t think that the ends for which they justify their means is really any ends at all. For surely there is a future.

This ain’t all there is. Not even close. Surely there is a future.

So, fear the Lord. So, pursue righteousness. So, remain faithful. So, as my friend Wynne always used to say, Keep on keepin’ on.

Play the game by kingdom rules, even when others are “cheating” and seem to be coming out on top. For surely there is a future.

A future not because of who we are, but because of who we are following. Today’s reading in Hebrews reminded me of that.

. . . we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf . . .

(Hebrews 6:18b-20a ESV)

That’s the future we can be sure of . . . that’s the hope which will not be cut off — a hope that enters into the inner place. A hope of one day going behind the curtain and into the Holy of Holies and standing face-to-face (or maybe more like facedown-to-face) before the presence of God. A hope because of our union with the One who has already entered in before us. Because Jesus is the forerunner, we who are united with Him in His death and resurrection shall surely follow, as well.

That’s our hope. A hope that anchors the soul. A hope because surely there is a future.

So, keep on, weary pilgrim. Remain faithful, suffering servant. Fight the good fight, wounded soldier. Finish the race. Continue in the fear of the LORD.

By His grace. In His power. For His glory.