“God’s not finished with me yet!” Many of us use those words as an excuse every time we made a mess of things. While I’m not sure it ever worked for that reason,  it was comforting until reality set in. There are days when God seems to be shaking us by the nape of our necks to get our attention. There are other days when His grace grants one blessing after another. It cannot be denied, however, that we are all a “work in progress” as long as we are alive. The question we must ask ourselves is: What is progress, and how will we know when God is finished with us?

If the “desire of the righteous ends with only good” what happens if we falter, fail or fall? Are we doomed? Is righteousness ever attainable in this life? Or, is it something we are to struggle with and strive for?

In this instance, “desire” is the outcome of those who have righteousness as a goal. It is what His children focus their hearts, minds and ambitions on. It is not something that happens as a byproduct of life. Righteous living is a core value at the center of all that believers do. In fact, unrighteousness must be avoided at all costs!

“But the hope of the wicked end only in wrath.” Now, that should get everyone’s attention. Wrath, God’s wrath, is His overflowing anger against the unrighteous. God’s wrath can be compared to a fire that is slowly growing and at a moment in time will be all consuming.

This verse should remind us that the unrighteous  face God’s impending wrath. Now is the day to repent.

Prayer:  May we understand, Father, that our desires determine our destiny. May righteousness rule our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.