"Fears"

"What the wicked fears will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation." (Prov. 10:24-25)

There is a definite difference between the righteous and the wicked in the eyes of God. They both anticipate something: (1) the wicked anticipate the worst (2) the righteous anticipates the best possible. The wicked have lots of fears because they have no foundation or assurances. The righteous has an everlasting foundation and assurances which eliminates their fears.

How does God define a wicked person? It is difficult for us to accept we might be wicked because we categorize wickedness with horrible, disgusting acts. But that's not how God views all wickedness. We know there is none righteous, not even one (Rom. 3:10). Let's see if we can define the wicked in God's view. We will use the book of Proverbs for this.

"Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; and you neglected my counsel, and did not want my reproof." (Prov. 1:24-25) These verses are speaking about the wisdom of God trying to call us into listening and heeding. When God's wisdom and teachings are given and people refuse or pay little attention, it leaves one in a position with God that is not blessed. "I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm, and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you." (Prov. 1:26-27) A wicked person is one that will not heed the wisdom of God and when difficulties come into their lives, they have only one thing: FEAR! Their fears will hold them in anguish and their fears will increase.

"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself. And he who reproves a wicked man gets dishonor for himself. And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself." (Prov. 9:7) A wicked person will not take correction. When they are corrected, they insult and attack the one who corrects them. Their fears will bring them into dishonor. Compared to the righteous: "No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble." (Prov. 12:21) The wicked have troubles in abundance. This does not mean the righteous will never see trouble but they have a comfort and assurance because the righteous sees their security in the Lord. "What the wicked fears will come upon him."

Listen to how the righteous are described: "But he who listens to me shall live securely, and shall be at ease from the dread of evil." (Prov. 1:33) Wisdom is being personified again in these verses. The righteous have their eyes and ears attentive to God as His wisdom calls. "Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will will increase his learning." (Prov. 9:8-9) The righteous wants correction when needed and wants to gain greater insight for their life. The righteous become more and more secure and stable.

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." (Prov. 15:29) The righteous rest assured their prayers are heard and heeded. The righteous are in God's favor and their humble, willing attitude to listen and heed prove it.

"What the wicked fears will come upon him." This one little statement is the reason the power of positive thinking seems to work. It is often preached/taught that if you think positive thoughts, good things will happen. All positive thinking does for the wicked is slow down the fear aspect but it does not solve the greater problem one has. Stability and assurance comes from a right and loving relationship with God by following His word and heeding His wisdom. God knows the difference between the wicked and the righteous and the wicked lives in many fears.