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Joy in the Realization of Your Expectations

Proverbs 11:23 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²³The desire of the righteous is only good;
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

The desire of the righteous is only good: In the case of the righteous one, desires (תַּאֲוָה taavah) are a good thing. He wishes for, wants, and longs for something based on the good life that he has been living. The present and the future of the righteous one is filled with happiness and joy because he knows he has been on the path of righteousness, taking in the knowledge of God. The Hebrew word (טוֹב tob) rendered Good here is to be taken to mean “good outcome,” “leading to good,” or “good results.”

the expectation of the wicked in wrath: The expectation here is another Hebrew word (תִּקְוָה tiqvah) for hope. However, it is not being contrasted with the hope (faithfully waiting with expectation) the hope that the righteous one possesses. Instead, the wicked one has hope or expectation in looking forward to, planning, and counting on his evil ends. However, they will come to nothing, dying or perishing (אָבַד abad). (10:28) The false hopes and the unfounded expectation of the wicked will only end in wrath (עֶבְרָה ebrah), a feeling of intense anger, rage, and a state of extreme displeasure, for the wicked one’s hopes and expectations will never be realized.

The servant of God wishes for, wants, and longs for something based on the good life that he has been living. His hopes in life are good, but the truth is, these hopes, expectations, desires, and longings must be maintained through his human imperfection, a fallen world that caters to the flesh, Satan, and his horde of demons. Only those who remain faithful retain their hope until the end survives. (Matt. 24:13) The calamities, the pain, and suffering from this life are many, but he can do all things through him who strengthens him. (Phil. 4:13) Expectations will be realized for the righteous, and, in the end, it will be a dismal failure for the wicked. This is the case throughout the entire life of the wicked one, which is why he is filled with wrath, for the outcome of his expectations is only bad.