“The desire of the righteous brings only good, but the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.”

Proverbs 11:23 AMP

Today we see the two divergent directions of the heart of men. The part talks about the heart of the righteous person. The word here for desire is the Hebrew word meaning to “long, desire, or crave.” It also is translated “the state having a wish or want of something for the pleasure it brings.” It is interesting to note that the righteous and wicked have the same desires. The difference is that to source of the satisfaction and pleasure are found in two different places! We are also warned that the result of the desire is either good or wrath! Following or salvation experience, we have a new desire and direction to follow! Our eyes have been opened to the reality of sin and grace and we now have the capacity to choose which way we will go. The promise of God is that if we respond to His ways we will live in peace and fulfilment. We read the following in the book of Joshua.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.”

Joshua 1:8 AMP

Notice that there is a conditional promise here, “…do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it;” The activities in the life of a believer should reflect the fact that we are following God’s way and not our own. Paul wrote to Timothy,

“As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

1 Timothy 6:17 AMP

Here the choice is clear. If we walk in His ways He will “richly and continuously provide us with everything for our enjoyment.” The problem comes that in order to receive that we must first walk the road of God’s way and then the blessings will flow. This is the place where our enemy comes in and tries to convince us that his way is more enjoyable than God. The world’s pleasures appear to be instant and fulfilling when, they are in reality, a flash in the pan; suddenly experienced then lost forever! What was promised for enjoyment and fulfilment bring only death and emptiness! Sin fools us into believing that there will be no real damaging consequences for our actions! We may suffer a little discomfort here and there but the payoff of the pleases outweigh whatever consequences it may bring! The book of Hebrews says,

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,25because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. 26He considered the reproach of the [c]Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God]. 27By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is unseen.”

Hebrews 11: 24-27 AMP

Remember that Egypt represents our former life under the rule of sin and Satan. This verse reminds us that the benefits of God are at time eternal in nature verses immediate and sensual. I love the description of his comitment, “26He considered the reproach of the [c]Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God]” We need remember that God is looking with eternal perspective while we only see in the temporal realm!

Let me encourage you today that,

“As for God, His way is blameless. The word of the LORD is tested [it is perfect, it is faultless]; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Psalms 18:30 AMP 

So let me ask you, which road will you choose today? Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken