Proverbs 10:25-28 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 10:25-28, which read,

v.25 - When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

When the storms of life have passed what is left?  The wicked has nothing but the righteous is standing on a solid foundation.  The fool has been washed away but the wise have held unto something larger and more solid that can stand through the storms of life.  Maybe this is also a picture of the flood and what happened to those outside of the ark and those inside the ark.  The storm came upon all but some where washed away and some were saved; some neglected God's instruction and some acted upon His wisdom; and some found nothing to stand upon and some were safe within the provisions of God.  When the storm comes, what do you have?  Does it blow you away or are you clinging to the rock that God has provided?

v.26 - Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.

I'm not sure about the vinegar to the teeth but I know about smoke in the eyes from being around the campfire.  You try to avoid it by leaning one way or the other and then you close your eyes or feel the sting of it and then eventually you move your chair to the other side of the fire ring.  The smoke is very unfavorable and I would assume that vinegar to the teeth would also be a similar experience.  When a lazy person is sent to do a job the outcome will be unfavorable.  It will be irritating.  Most likely you are going to have to get up from your position and complete the job that was asked of him or her.  It is going to leave a bad taste in your mouth and also anyone else who is affected by the job that was not accomplished.  

v.27 - The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

We can't seem to get away from the fear of the Lord in the book of Proverbs.  It keeps popping up as our definition of wisdom.  When we have a fear of the Lord, an awe and respect of who He is so that we hear and apply, then we reap the benefits of real life as He prescribes and eternal life.  When we ignore the Lord then we will suffer the consequences of being out of step with God and our years with Him will be shortened.  Remember our lives do not end at the grave, that is the just the end of this physical life on earth but another is waiting that is either with the Lord or apart from Him. 

v.28 - The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes.

Here is another proverb that is looking at the end of this life.  The wise or the righteous have hope that results in a gladness to seeing and being with Jesus face to face for eternity.  The fool or the wicked has an expectation of something they are not going to receive because they have neglected the fear of the Lord.  They have thought that there is some other way in.  They have thought that their good efforts will make up for the requirement not followed.  They will expect to get in but it will result in perishing away from the face to face with Jesus for eternity.  One has hope, a surety because it rests on God who is sure and the other has an expectation, an unknown because it rests on the efforts of the creature rather than the Creator.

What are you holding onto in the storm?  Are you completing the tasks given to you or are you leaving them undone?  Are you keeping focus on fearing the Lord as more than a once a week activity?  Are you hoping in a sure thing, God and His provisions and promises, or are you expecting or wishing to make it on your plan and way?  Following the path of the wicked brings no more after the storm, an irritant to others because of laziness to God, shortened years with the Lord, and a perishing because of following your wishful thinking.  Following the path of the wise brings an everlasting foundation to stand upon in the storm and following, a prolonged life in eternity with the Lord, and a hope in what is sure, His Word and His ways.  Another set of proverbs to put things side by side to make the obvious right answer known.  Let's pray.

"Lord, thank You for the rock to stand upon in the storm.  Help us not to bail and look for some other hold.  Thank You for the missions that You send us out on and may we be diligent and not lazy to fulfill them.  Thank You for eternal life with You that has been provided by You by Your grace through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Thank You Lord for a hope that rests on something more sure than our very lives.  Help us to have hope and not rely on our own expectations that have no future.  Amen."

Pastor Adam