Proverbs 11:23, Delight or Delusion!

May 21, Proverbs 11:23

Hebrews 10:26-31 “And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge” (Eph. 3:19).

Delight or Delusion!

1. Their Desire: The desire of the righteous is only good. That which the righteous desire is good, and therefore their desire, when accomplished, brings good with it. In the previous chapter, we learned that God granted the desire of the righteous (10:24). Here we have the added fact that their desire is good because it is God’s work. More, it is only good because centred in God Himself. If God is his portion, what can compare with that? If God is the passion of his desires, what greater or worthier object of desire? All my springs are in thee! Paul could say, For to me to live is Christ (Ph. 1:21). What can be more worth living for? If you and I can submit all our desires to Him, then we can be contented and happy whatever is granted to us, or withheld.

2. Their Delight: Note the when and the if in the above paragraph? Ah, there’s the rub. Only good, but their delight is not yet perfect while they are in this sinful world. David calls God here The God of my righteousness. He recognises God as not only the Author of his righteousness, but also as its Judge and Rewarder, and it is to this God he appeals. He hears the jibes of the doubters, Who will show us any good? Then he prays, Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, and on that he can sleep, in peace and safety (Ps. 4), the essence of every godly life. Believers have a new nature, but still must contend with the remnants of the old nature not yet completely eradicated. Paul reminded us of the warfare of the believer with those two opposing natures (Rom. 7:21). The great thing for the believer is, that if his desire is in God, God and Good will prevail. “The rising tide is not only pure, it has omnipotence behind it to urge it on… When the last lust of the flesh is crucified, disappointments will cease” (Arnot). The issue for the righteous will be their final and complete delight.

3. Their Delusion: The expectation of the wicked is wrath. Their desires are driven by that all-controlling sin-nature. Recall how the rebellious Hebrews were no sooner delivered from their sore bondage than they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request: but sent leanness into their soul (Nu. 11:4; Ps. 106:14-15)! The wicked, who desire evil, have nothing to look for but the just reward of their evil, the displeasure of God. Expectation here is the word hope. Hope is a good anchor, but it needs something to grip (Heb. 6:19). This, the wicked do not have, for it is vain, empty hope, without substance. Do they hope for wrath for themselves or for others? “They expect and desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves; as they loved cursing, they shall have enough of it” (Henry). The word wrath is from the root meaning to pass over. It is thus the overflow of the coming Judgment. How fearful that must be when the delusive dream of the wicked ends (Heb.10:27)!

Thought: Daily test your desires by the standard of God’s will. 

Prayer: For forgiveness when I fail to make Thee my first desire, O Lord.