JOY

Proverbs 10:19-32 / Keywords 10:28

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

 

10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,

    but the prudent hold their tongues.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,

    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,

    but fools die for lack of sense.

22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,

    without painful toil for it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,

    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;

    what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

    but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

    so are sluggards to those who send them.

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,

    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,

    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted,

    but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,

    but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,

    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

1. There are many "blessings" that we seek out in the world. It’s easy for us to think: If only we have enough money, are healthy enough, beautiful enough, or holy enough, we will be satisfied. But these are never enough and end up amounting to disappointment in the end. Beauty fades, the body weakens, our holier than thou theology makes us self-righteous and divisive, and money can only go so far.

 

2. "The prospect of the righteous is joy." Joy is deeper than fleeting pleasures. Jesus' coming was heralded as good news of great joy to all people (Lk 2:10). In the Bible, joy is often expressed in relation to what one receives from God and also in relation to others' well-being. There is joy when we realize that God's love is greater than all our sins and shortcomings. God has come to help us in our sufferings and failures. He gives us new life and hope. God's joy is when one lost child is found, and we share his joy when we care for and help others in their need. Joy is multiplied when shared with others.

 

Prayer Lord, give us the joy of your salvation. You came to love us in our lost ness. May our joy increase as we share in your love for others.

One Word Be joyful