BDBD is Proverb 10:3

Two opposing and yet related claims are made in this proverb, a common proverb vernacular. A comparison would be looking in the mirror. The appearance is the same, except what is on the left in life is on the right in the mirror; one pertains to self-reality and the other is self-illusion. Understanding and applying opposing truths must be common.

The theme is hunger and cravings; the righteous and the wicked; the Lord’s control and interaction are opposite and equal. “The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.” A bold statement.

Do I believe this? I have never gone hungry though several times in my life I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. And I do not personally know wicked people, though I have personally encountered wicked people. Also, I do not know the personal experience of everyone alive today let alone in all of human history. So my life experience cannot say these claims are absolutely true.

However, since I have never gone hungry I can say this has been true for me. During the times that I did not know where my next meal was coming from the peace of God had me comfortably believe that I would be given enough to eat.

Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34)

As for the cravings of the wicked let me resist them. What are they? Galatians 5:19-21 states, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”