A Good Ending

"The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath" (Proverbs 11:23).

It seems some people are just down right unhappy with God. No matter what is said and done by Him, they don't like it. The "wicked" are those who have sworn Him off. They don't like Him and they don't intend to like Him. He is a bother to them because He declares what is good and bad and this, to them, is offensive. What then follows, in the life of the "wicked," is anger and wrath directed toward the Lord. The Scriptures seem to be screaming to us that nothing good ever comes from such anger and wrath.

The story is very different when it comes to those who love God. They understand that His desire for an intimate relationship with them is all about a full and significant life that lasts forever. They know from experience that His plan is to bring about great things in their lives. Not always easy and understandable, but good. As they get to know God better and more intimately, they find that they are desiring, more and more, that which the Lord desires. They also discover that those desires lead to good things.

I have sometimes wondered if the natural effect of a rainbow, right after a violent storm, couldn't somehow be a reminder for me that while storms will come and go, there will always be a good ending for those who know and love God. Not a pot of gold, but something even greater; intimacy with the Creator forever and ever.

If you sense a serious disconnect between you and God, please consider the condition of your heart. There is a good chance you have failed to know Him for who He is and thus trust Him in what He does. The only capacity you have right now is to vent your wrath and anger toward Him and His friends.

If, however, you know without a doubt that there is no disconnect between you and God, stay the course. Your desire to know Him better will ultimately end in good things. Also, don't forget that life can be good even though it is difficult and confusing at times. Knowing and trusting God in those particular times will help us direct our anger (wrath) away from God and toward the real source of our pain.