Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)

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Bible Commentary

Proverbs 23:18 is a Bible verse from the Old Testament that gives us confidence about our future.

Have you ever been through a season in your life that no matter what you did or where you turned, you hit a brick wall? Maybe it’s a relationship, financial in nature, or work-related. Sometimes, it just seems like nothing works!

It makes us wonder what’s wrong with us or what we’re doing wrong. These are times when we are very susceptible to the devil’s lies and his slippery trap of self-pity. Discouragement is a tough battle, and one that can very easily turn into depression.

Life is hard. There are many struggles, challenges and obstacles to overcome. They either make us stronger and more seasoned in our faith, or we can choose the route of bitterness and resentment. The former strengthens our relationship with Christ, and the latter weakens it.

Hopefully, we turn to Christ when our expectation is not met and we are disappointed. Our Wonderful Counselor can turn a bitter disappointment into a joyous victory when we discover the truth and get free from whatever entangles us.

It is then we can rejoice that we didn’t get what we thought we wanted. Christ helps us see that our desires were skewed because we were blinded to something. He helped us discover the truth when we sought Him.

But what if you know what you want is right, something God promised you?

Unlocking the Truth – Not Cut Off

Proverbs 23:18 says,

Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

“Future” in Hebrew means: the last or end; also prosperity, posterity, remnant, reward.

For me, these meanings help me to understand that what God promised me won’t always slip through my fingers or fade away into nothingness, but that there will be an end—a reward and prosperity.

Doesn’t it feel that way sometimes, that what we want never seems to end up in our hands or in our lives? But we see it in other people’s lives, in their work or in their family. It’s not that we begrudge other people being blessed, but where is ours? When is it our turn?

Proverbs 23:18 says our hope will not be cut off. “Cut off” in Hebrew means: destroy or consume, fail, lose, perish.

Jesus Christ came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

The Riches of the Kingdom

Our God delights in giving us the rich things of His Kingdom. But He also tests our faith. He builds endurance in us. 1 Peter 1:7 says, ”so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

In other words, when He does bring it to fruition, He will get the glory from it.

Maybe that is what He is waiting on, for us to stop clinging to the honor we will receive from it, and give Him the honor and glory now, even before we receive it.

When we share the riches of Christ with Him, it is far more enjoyable and rewarding. Maybe you’ve heard the old saying, “It is lonely at the top.” He wants to join you there.

Let’s invite Him into our reward, even before we receive it. Study the Bible verse of Proverbs 23:18 and rejoice in your future with Christ.

 

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