Scripture Reading: Proverbs 10:23-30
“It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.” (Proverbs 10:23)
How many of us, in our youth, thought it was great fun to get into mischief! We have needlessly caused grief. We have laughed to see people shocked and upset because of our mischief. We have thought we were so clever. Now when we look back at some of the things we have done in our foolish youth, we are ashamed of ourselves, and if we had another chance we would never do it again. That is because, with age, we have become more understanding and a lot wiser. Thank God!
“The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.” (Proverbs 10:24)
If the mischievous youth does not learn his lesson and change, he will become even more wicked as he grows older. After a while he will become fearful of being caught, and he will go into hiding out of fear. Ultimately the thing he has dreaded and feared will come to pass — if not in this life, then certainly in the one to come.
But the desire of the righteous, on the other hand, will surely come to pass. Because his heart does not condemn him, he has faith that God will answer his prayers. And so, no matter how difficult his life may be, he has hope. He is blessed.
“As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.” (Proverbs 10:25)
It is true that even the most powerful men and women on earth pass away and are no more. They are like a fast-moving whirlwind that raises a lot of dust, brings confusion and goes in circles; but it blows on by. It never stays in one place. Whirlwinds can do a lot of harm while they last, but thank God, they don’t last. They are good for nothing.
The righteous, however, are dependable — like an everlasting foundation. You cannot build on a whirlwind. Don’t try it! If you are married to one don’t try to build a home on him or her — they will be here today and gone tomorrow.
But the righteous man will be the foundation of your home and your life. And you two together will be a blessing to many.
“The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” (Proverbs 10:27)
The fear and reverence of the Lord prolongs a person’s life. You can expect to live a long life if you live in the fear of God.
But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. God moves the whirlwind on. He can only last so long, and no longer.
“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” (Proverbs 10:28)
Because the righteous man has the peace of God in his heart he has hope and gladness. This gladness is his strength “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
The wicked man has no future (at least not a good future) and the thing for which he hopes will ultimately come to naught.
“The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” (Proverbs 10:29)
There is strength and health in the anointing. That is why many godly people live to be so old. The way of the Lord is strength to your bones. The outlook of the righteous is glory, glory, glory!
But destruction is the future of the workers of iniquity.
“The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” (Proverbs 10:30)
We don’t have to escape off this planet to find peace. This planet is ours. It belongs to us. Our Heavenly Father made it for us, and He has no intention of giving it away to the devil. We may be “evacuated” for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but we shall return to take possession.
The Lord is not going to entrust the new Heaven and earth into the hands of the ones who ruined this one, but it will belong to us. Hallelujah!
Gems of Wisdom by Gwen Shaw
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