"The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath"
This whole chapter of the Proverbs has the theme of judgment day running through it. This is a very interesting theme that runs through this chapter, and we catch a unique glimpse of judgment day through the Proverbs.
The desire of the righteous is only good. They seek the benefit of others constantly, and they will receive benefit and blessing from God. What the righteous person wants is that others would be benefitted. This is what good is – the benefit of others. The righteous person loves God and loves others.
The hope of the wicked. What they can expect and what they will receive is wrath: the unrelenting presence of God's justice on their continuing and confirmed selfishness. It is the selfishness of sin that continues to twist them and renders them unusable.
Solomon is clearly telling us that you can tell the righteous from the wicked in that the righteous wants to benefit others – they want to have people beyond themselves gain. The wicked are only out for their own gain and usually expect to be caught at some point. They expect judgment. Make sure that you do not stray over to the wicked side of the fence by only wanting what allows you to win and forces others to lose. It is always easy to think of your own personal win, but you must ask if this allows others to win and God to get glory. If your best personal win does not cause others to win and God to get glory, then it may be wickedness.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz