February 10

Feb 10 - Today from Proverbs 10 we look at verses 24 & 25
"What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever."

This chapter highlights a lot of contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are those who do what is required of God, not legalists who try to keep all the rules thus proving to be better than others. The latter is self-righteousness. It is based in pride. What does God require of us? We can find the answer in Micah 6:8, "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God". There is nothing in there that smacks of self-righteousness. If this is a good definition of the righteous, then what would you think "the righteous desire" in Proverbs 10:24? Do you think that this refers to a desire for a new car? A six-figure income? Power and recognition? To be popular? . . . I don't think these things properly represent the desires of a righteous heart. It seems to me that the desire of the righteous is first of all to have an intimate and vital relationship with God. Their desire is to 'act justly', which is a literal interpretation of the Hebrew for righteous. A person who acts justly is a person of integrity. Our definition for integrity; "to do the right thing for the right reason on a consistent basis". Then there is a desire to 'love mercy', which is kindness. It's ironic, but a just person doesn't always demand justice. A righteous person has a fondness to be kind to others. God's justice in dealing with our sin was met in the death of His only begotten Son, and as a result we can experience His mercies (kindness) toward us which are new every morning (Lam. 3:22, 23). How then are we able to overcome justice with kindness when dealing with others? By dying to self in Christ Jesus. This is not a theological position; it is a spiritual reality. It is accomplished through prayer and practice. We know it is achievable because the Proverb says 'what the righteous desire will be granted'.
And what is it that the wicked dread? Well, this proverb is a contrast. The wicked dread justice (except for their own perverse sense of justice known as revenge). The wicked dread not being in control, not having things their way, and most of all they dread death, for death is the ultimate end to their self-made little fiefdoms. It is unavoidable that all of this will overtake them. Wisdom looks to the end - wickedness lives for the day.
Verse 25 honestly shares the reality that both the righteous and the wicked will go through the storms of life. The righteous have not been spared from trials upon the earth in this life. The difference is, that when the storm has swept by, only the righteous remain. The fullness of their desires will be met, and they will see God face to face and dwell in His presence forever. And what of the wicked, who so desperately fought for and held fast to their own little fiefdoms? They are gone. What a sad, sad statement.
God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked (Ez. 18:23). His desire is that all should come to salvation (2 Peter 3:9). Yet, He created man as a free-will agent, and God honors man's right to make his own choices.
How about you? Where do your desires lie today? I know that I often have to keep my own heart in check, and look to the end. There I will stand with my Savior, and whatever He has allotted me will be infinitely more than I can ever deserve. And best of all, I will dwell in His house forever. What a wonderful Savior!