Text: Prov 10:26-29 ESV 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. - Prov 10:26-29 ESV THE WAY OF THE LORD IS A STRONGHOLD The wicked is a disappointment. He is not dependable. His habits are as distasteful as vinegar and as irritating as smoke that gets into the eyes.[v.26] Later, Solomon will remark that relying on a fool is as irrational as cutting off one's own feet (Prov 26:6). Christians, however, need to take to heart the counsel Paul gives in Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." He also encouraged the Corinthian believers to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:58). It’s a common observation that most wicked persons don’t live long. Wicked lifestyles are prone to accidents, diseases, and retributions. It’s not a guarantee but an obvious trend. Most likely, the righteous have a long life. Why? He recognizes the importance of presenting his body "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Rom 12:1). He refuses to let sin reign in his body (Rom 6:12). He does not present the members of his body to sin as instruments for unrighteousness. Instead, he presents his members to God as instruments of righteousness (Rom 6:12–13). He recognizes that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and God has purchased his body with a price, the blood of Christ. Therefore, he glorifies God in his body (1 Cor 6:19–20). The wicked are hopeless. They just live for the here and now. But, the righteous has future ‘expectations’ [Titus 2:13] Peter assures the righteous of a living hope. He says that God "has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet 1:3). There is stability to the ‘blameless. The word "blameless," in this context, is not "sinlessness." Rather, it refers to the one who chooses to honor God with his thoughts and actions, such that other people have no valid criticisms against him (Prov 2:7; Psa119:1). Indeed, “the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”[Prov 28:1] ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram