24.288 | The End Of Joy May Be Grief | Prov 14:11-13 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Prov 14:11-13 ESV

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

- Prov 14:11-13 ESV

THE END OF JOY MAY BE GRIEF

Outwardly, a concrete house is more durable than a tent. But a "house" built on evil is far weaker than even a "tent" built on godly wisdom (Prov 1:7). The efforts of godless people will be reduced to nothing. What seem to be insignificant for those who honor God will last (Mat 6:19–21; Prov 12:7). It’s vain to envy the wicked for judgment will come upon them sooner or later. Those who believed in Jesus might suffer now. But, they will make up "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (Rev 7:9) for they are joint heirs with Him (Rom 8:17).

The fools are oblivious to their coming destruction. They think that their ‘way ‘ is the right way. He trusts his own thinking over and above God [Prov 3:5] Since the heart of man is deceitful, human desires can lead to disaster (Jer 17:9). Unless a person comes to faith in Christ, he is like a “sheep having gone astray, pursuing his own way."[Isa 53:6]

A life without God is miserable at the end. Earthly happiness is fleeting (Mat 6:19–21). Appearances can be deceiving (1 Sam 16:7; John 7:24). The sinner may be full of laughter but inside is in deep pain. Only Jesus can give real peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”[John 14:27]

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us the vanity of the pursuit of meaning and satisfaction in this world. After trying everything, he concludes his book by exhorting us to seek the Lord as our priority (Ecc 12:13). “She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.”[1 Tim 5:6]

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