“The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy, But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing. 29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, But it is ruin to those who do evil. 30The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.”

Proverbs 10:28-30 AMP

As we end our journey through Proverbs chapter 10, we are reminded of the benefits of the righteous. Verse 10 opens with the word “hope.” The Hebrew word here is one that means to “expect something to happen, often implying a time of waiting.” “To look forward with confidence to that which is beneficial.” The word often used in terms of something that will be beneficial, but it is also used of a warning that something judgmental will come! Notice that the criteria for the “beneficial” result is based upon honorable character and integrity! It is a word of encouragement that god will not forsake our efforts at holding the ways of God as paramount in our lives! Paul wrote to Timothy these words of hope;

“ For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. 9This is a faithful and trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance and approval. 10It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account], because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the [b]Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord].” 

1 Timothy 4:8-10 AMP

Notice that he tells Timothy that godliness (spiritual training) is of value holds a promise for this present life! The result of that training is “honorable character and integrity!” Notice that it doesn’t say that we must be perfect! Many confuse righteousness with perfection. The Scripture is clear that we are on a journey toward perfection and that every day and in every way, we are being more conformed to the image of Christ in our lives! Paul told the church,

“Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.”

Philippians 3:12-16 AMP

Do you see it? Even the Apostle Paul, writer of most of the New Testament was still on the road to recovery from his life away from Christ! In the above verses he reminds the Philippians to “stay true to what we have already attained.” The older we get in Christ the more we should be able to “hold on” to the things of God yet, we find ourselves at times distant from the victories of the cross. The Proverbs remind us that there is a “stronghold” in the ways of God that will protect and bless us on our journey toward holiness. Look again at verse 30 above, 

“30The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.”

Proverbs 10:30 AMP

The key is consistency, not perfection! The word “shaken” in the Hebrew means to “slip, totter, stagger, quake, shake, or make random motions which result in an object falling implying lack of control due to weakness of other factors.” Jesus told us that we should build on the rock of His Word and then when the shaking comes, which it will, we can rest because HE IS THE FOUNDATION which can never be shaken! Have a blessed day with your feet firmly on the rock! Pastor Ken