May 27, 2026 -- Proverbs 11:23 & 31 -- God restrains wickedness, rewards righteousness

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The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
If the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Proverbs 11:23 & 31 ESV
 
Desire is complicated. It is the longing of your heart; sometimes you know what is driving your longings, often though, you have no idea what is driving your ravenous desires because its root causes remain unexamined. Desire can be for food, or lusts, or things, or money, or community…the list is nearly endless. The question is, what governs your desires? The righteous man or woman, submitted to the God the Creator, yields all desires to the will of God. The righteous realize untamed desires are ruinous.
 
The wicked are ready to follow every desire to its logical conclusion. Thanks be to God that men and women are not as fully wicked as they could be. God restrains the wicked from fully carrying out their schemes. You read of this in several places. The outstanding example of God’s restraint of wickedness is the tower of Babel. God confused the language of those builders, restraining them from the full measures of pride and wickedness (Genesis 11:1-9). Already here on earth the wicked experience the wrath of God, which is His just and righteous, properly-measured-out anger against sin.
 
The wicked are repaid on earth now because their lusts and desires can not be satisfied. Their cravings are like fire which never says enough. It is a fire that consumes their body, mind and finally their soul. If a wicked person takes hold of the object desired, the question that immediately follows, “Is this all I get?” It can never be enough. So, lust and desire are inflamed, goaded on to greater depths of depravity.
 
How are the righteous repaid on earth? They know that whatever God ordains for them is right and best. They are confident in good times. In troubled times the righteous rejoice, thanking God that they are counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. The righteous have the rock-solid confident the Holy Spirit is using every circumstance in their life to prepare them for fuller fellowship with Jesus now, and perfect fellowship with Him in eternity.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for Your great love which designates us to live in close communion with You, our Father, Savior and Comforter. Thank You for thwarting our worst cravings, restraining the madness of lingering sin which would cause us to run from You. Blessed be Your Name for the rewards You already confer on the righteous, for the joy of Your presence, the fullness of Your love, the depths of Your mercy, the hope of eternity in Your presence and so much more. As we reflect on such things, deepen our devoted service to You, and increase our capacity to hate sin, and love You more. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/BP0dtwXWQ_M?si=rJWKAFzmS1pyKO9e He Will Hold Me Fast
 

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