by Bruce Billington

Weekly Devotional 18th of September, 2026

In this session, we will continue examining Proverbs Chapter 13. This chapter presents a recurring contrast between the upright and the wicked. 

Chapter 13:19-21 – “Desire realised is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil. 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.”

Verse 19 encourages the righteous in their desire for good. The desire that comes to pass and is “sweet to the soul” has a taste that detests evil, but since the fool finds it repugnant to turn away from his evil, destructive ways, he will never experience this pleasant gratification. Why not? Because the LORD gratifies the desires of only the righteous. 

It is understood that all living beings have an appetite for life, but the complacent fool will never have that appetite satisfied because what he craves and involves himself in is likened to vomit (Proverbs 26:11). 

As so many of us can testify, those who are unredeemed by nature tend to despise the wise person’s inspired word, and this alienates them from a relationship with the LORD of life. Sadly, this means they fail to experience the only relationship that is truly gratifying and life-sustaining. It is the Lord’s desire that they turn from their morally flawed behaviour and experience the blessing He so desires to bring to all humanity. 

Verse 20 – One of the keys for those who want to be wise or to grow in wisdom is to surround themselves with wise people. Over time, those who seek wisdom benefit greatly from simply observing the lives of wise individuals and learn much from the experiences and counsel of their godly friends. Clearly, God places wise men and women in our lives for this very reason: to impart wisdom to us. 

 We are all influenced by the people whom we associate with. Attitudes, mannerisms, speech patterns, philosophies and learning how to walk in the ways of the Lord are all transferred by association. As a result, it is important that we spend time with them and let them know how much we appreciate them. 

It is of interest that the Hebrew word for a shepherd, used to communicate this, is (ra’ah), and it literally means to tend, feed, or pasture a flock. Here, it is used for the word “companion” in the sense of associating with fools. It is also used in Proverbs to describe associating with an angry person and with worthless people. People feed off those around them. Just as a shepherd turns and directs his flock, so fools influence those with whom they associate. People can bring great harm to themselves by walking with fools, and we should not spend time in their company. 

Verse 21 – The law of sowing and reaping continually takes effect in people’s lives. Sinful people sow to their flesh, so they reap corruption. Righteous people sow godliness, so they are rewarded by the good that God brings about in their lives. 

Good has ensured that the righteous acts of the saints will be repaid with His blessing. They shall be abundantly recompensed for all the good they have done and all the ill they have suffered in this world, so that, though many have suffered loss on account of their righteousness, they shall not ultimately end up as losers because of it. 

Though it may take time, the day of their reward will come, and the recompense will be abundant. 

God bless you.