Years ago, I read how in the "old days," people used to say that the verse in Proverbs 21 that corresponds with a man's birthday is somehow significant to that individual (Proverbs 31 is the equivalent for women). I don't really think that's true, but since it is indeed Josh's birthday, let's look at Proverbs 21:7 - "The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice."
Like a lot of the proverbs, this is a "cautionary" one - here's what happens to bad people, so don't be that way! It's also a proverb that speaks to God's justice. Because bad people refuse to be righteous (to do the right thing even when they don't want to), and because they are such bad people, they will eventually be caught in and destroyed by the results of their own evil. Obviously, this isn't something we'd want to have happen to us. Also, it shows that God will allow the evil people of the world to flounder and sink on their own, whereas we can count on God to take care of us.
Of course, this doesn't have to be about Hitler or some such person; there are "wicked" people around us all the time. If we look, we can see how they are caught in the results of their own lies, arrogance, lack of concern, and such other things. These are the people that in the end are hurt, bitter, and alone. We do need to remember, however, that even at that point, they can still accept God's salvation, so we should never stop praying for them or even reaching out to them (as we can).
So, Josh (and all of us), make sure you act with justice!
Love,
Dad
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