Monday, July 30, 2012

DRAWING A LINE IN THE SAND


As I continued to read through Proverbs, these were the next verses that spoke to me concerning the times in which we live.

Proverbs 4:14–16 & 19 “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall…. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”

Solomon is warning his son not to follow the example of wicked and evil people.  Through Solomon, God is giving His children today the same warning. 

The first thing that jumps out to me is that the father assumes that his son understands the difference between good and evil, between doing good things and doing wicked things.  It is clear from the passages discussed in previous posts that he had taught him that the fear of God and knowledge and understanding of His word provided the principles from which he could confidently make such discernment.  

The father tells his son to:
·      Avoid following the examples of wicked, evil people.
·      Avoid even getting near the places they go and the people with whom they associate.
·      Turn from following this path; in other words, go in a different direction from those that are wicked and evil. 
·      Pass away—As I looked at the broad meaning from the Hebrew for this phrase, the context caused the ideas of being delivered from and escaping the consequences of such action stood out to me.

It seems to me that often we who claim Jesus as Lord try every type of reasoning and justification to circumvent these warnings.  We don’t want to be labeled intolerant, so we avoid drawing lines of black and white between good and evil as defined in scripture.  We choose to live according to the compromised standards that fall within this gray area of tolerance.  We try to stay in step with the culture by focusing on sharing God’s love without sharing His truth.  Because we refuse to draw the lines in the sand drawn by the word of God, the area of gray grows larger until finally we have perverted and corrupted the foundational truths of God’s word.

Sometimes it really does seem as though those who have chosen to defy God and follow the rebellion of Satan have a commitment and stamina to accomplishing their agendas that far exceed the efforts of the “church” to spread the gospel and the truth of God’s word.  Through their political activism, they have managed to promote their godless agendas to the point that that evil is considered good and good is considered evil.  The prophet Isaiah warned against this very thing.

Isaiah 5:20–23 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”

I think the last verse states a very important truth.  Those who are in rebellion against God and promoting agendas that are in direct opposition to the stated will of God in His word are walking in darkness.  They have no spiritual understanding.  They are deceived by the wisdom of men, by their own perceived wisdom.  They don’t understand that the wisdom of men has no firm foundation and is rooted in the flesh and the things of the world—not the spirit as ministered by the grace of God through His Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 1:12 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world….”

True believers are to serve as lights to lead the people of the world out of darkness.

Matthew 5:14–16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

If we continue to live in the “gray” and refuse to let the light of God’s word shine through our lives, evil and wickedness will continue to thrive.  Again, I am reminded of the words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

(to be continued…)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

DON’T FEAR EVIL…TRUST GOD


In this post I am jumping down several verses to consider just two that jumped out at me as I was reading considering the recent events in Colorado.

Proverbs 3:25–26 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

It seems there is continually something in the news that can promote an attitude of fear if we let it.  The child of God should realize that scripture declares that evil will greatly increase as the time for the Lord’s return nears. 

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2 Peter 3:3 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts….” 

When we place our trust in God, we have no need to fear anything that may confront us in this lifetime, because we are assured that God will not allow anything to touch those that love Him except it be for good.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

We are also assured of the greater blessings that await us once we leave our present earthly life.

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Romans 8:14–18 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God….

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Maranatha—Come Lord Jesus!

Click picture for larger view
(to be continued…)

Monday, July 23, 2012

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART


In this section of verses Solomon encourage his son to be strong in his faith in the LORD, YHWH, the self-Existent or Eternal God.

Proverbs 3:3–7 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

So many men reject a belief in the God of the Bible because they cannot understand how He can be self-existent and eternal.  If you really stop and think about it, that truth should encourage our faith—not hinder it.  If we could understand all about God, He would no longer be God.  Scripture is clear in declaring that He is beyond our understanding.

Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 43:10 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”

Isaiah 46:5&9 “To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?... Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me….”

After encouraging his son to earnestly seek wisdom and understanding rooted in the fear of God, Solomon now encourages his son to cling to mercy and truth.  Again, truth is rooted in God and His word. 

Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Solomon is basically telling his son to make mercy and truth so much a part of his being that it is like they are permanently engraved on his heart.  The scripture often reminds us that it is our heart that controls our actions. 

Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Jeremiah 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Solomon is clear in encouraging his son to trust the LORD with ALL his heart—not just in some areas, but regarding everything to do with his life.  With God it is all or nothing; you either trust Him completely for salvation or it is not saving faith.  Faith plus anything else results in a false gospel; it is a belief that will result in your eternal doom.  Webster defines trust as follows:  Assured resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship, or other sound principle, of another person….”  That type of trust or faith implies an unquestioning confidence in the truth of God’s word.  God’s word is very clear in declaring that salvation is a work of God—not man; it is a gift to man.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3:5–7 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

For some reason this truth, which should be a cause for great thanksgiving, is one that most people refuse to embrace.  We would rather think that we can enjoy God’s’ presence in heaven for eternity on our own terms rather than on His.  Why?  Because we don’t want the accountability that comes with accepting Him on His terms.  If we listen to the lies of the enemy, we can give in to the flesh and live according to our own wisdom with a false hope of gaining heaven.  Scripture is clear—the wisdom of man leads to death no matter how sincere you are in what you believe or how many good works you do and declare to be in the name of the LORD.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

(to be continued…)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE


After such a heavy message in the previous posting, we will now turn our focus to a more encouraging section of verses.

Proverbs 2:1–8 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.”

These are the words of a wise father to his son—a father who at this stage in his life recognizes God as the ultimate authority and is trying to live to honor Him.  Only a father in right relationship with the Lord would be able to share such spiritual insight and instruction to his child.  Implied is that the father’s words of instruction and commandments fall in line with God’s words of instruction and commandments.  Oh that this described the majority of fathers in our country and in the world!

Point is made that it takes desire, time and energy to gain knowledge, wisdom and understanding.  It has already been established in the first chapter that the fear of the Lord is the point from which one’s search must start.  Your success is directly related to the intensity of your desire.  You must be willing to invest at least the amount of time and energy you are willing to exert to gain worldly riches and treasures.  Solomon is sharing the truth as taught him by his father David.

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”

Knowing that such investment of time and energy will be focused on the study of God’s word, the father can confidently declare that it will result in understanding what it means to fear God and learn about Him.  When we study God’s word with a desire to learn, He is always ready to help us through the ministry of His Spirit.

Proverbs 1:23 “…I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

Psalms 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

The last two verses in this section are an echo of this promise.  The wording paints a picture to me of God having a vast storehouse of wisdom ready to gift the righteous, those who are trying to live their lives in obedience to Him.

I read verse 8 as an Old Testament statement of the precious promise of Romans 8:28:  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  Though it may seem like its harder and harder to obtain justice or righteous judgment in this world, God is reminding us that He is still on the throne.  He will protect the lives of those who trust in Him.  Every danger we face in this world is a consequence of man’s choice to rebel against God and the curse that fell upon creation as a result of that rebellion.  Though God may allow us to suffer in this lifetime as part of God’s plan to bring about greater good, the life of the true believer, the child of God, is preserved for eternity; and he/she is destined to enjoy eternal blessings that will prove to far exceed the temporary sufferings of this lifetime.

Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Isaiah 64:4 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

I am reminded of the words of the chorus of an old gospel song, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.  One look on His dear face all sorrows will erase.  So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

(to be continued…)

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

WHEN GOD’S EARS ARE CLOSED TO OUR PRAYERS


Proverbs 1:24–31 “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”

This section of verses reads like it could be a declaration from God against the United States and the rest of the world on the front pages of today’s newspapers .  The Lord has always ensured that the message of the gospel be declared to the peoples of the world by His prophets, messengers and others who love Him.  In spite of His faithful diligence and the prophetic proofs that support the truth of that message, the nations as a whole have rejected Him.  I believe that America, a nation founded on scriptural principles, is held to a higher accountability than many of the other nations because of the following biblical principle.

Luke 12:48  “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

Many of America’s most prestigious universities were originally established with the purpose of educating young people from a biblical foundation.  We have been blessed to benefit from the teaching of many great men of God.  I think we have been blessed like no other nation on earth except maybe Israel during the days of Solomon.  I personally believe that our prosperity has contributed to our downfall because, like Israel, we began to credit ourselves for attaining such wealth and influence rather than recognizing our blessings as coming from God.  We began to think that we were wiser than God and that the principles of His word were outdated and couldn’t possibly be right for the times in which we live.    We then allowed the enemies of God to lead us in declaring God no longer welcome in the public arena and His word irrelevant.  We have a culture in which few know how to discern between good and evil any more.  In fact, we have declared evil to be good in light of biblical truth.  Isaiah warned the people of Israel against this very thing.

Isaiah 5:20–23 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”

Though God is very patient and longsuffering in His desire to see as many come to repentance as possible…

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

…His patience does have an end and He then declares judgment.  Once His judgment begins, His ears are closed to prayers seeking His deliverance.  In fact, He declares that He will laugh at our calamity and mock at our fear.  I can’t help but connect this thought with another thought recorded by the Apostle Paul concerning those who will follow the Antichrist.

2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Yes, God is love, full of mercy and ready to forgive—but His patience has limits and His righteousness demands the judgment of sin.  When we continue to reject God, there comes a time when He will give us over to reap the consequences of our sin.  This truth was also proclaimed by Paul in his letter to the Romans; in context it follows the description of those who had rejected God to embrace a homosexual lifestyle.

Romans 1:28–32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Personally, I believe the United States as a whole is under judgment.  I believe the final nail was put in the coffin when our President, our chosen leader, struck down the biblical marriage mandate.  I can only pray that the rapture occurs before the worst happens.  Whatever He chooses to allow or cause as His hand of judgment falls, I pray that true believers will stand strong in their faith and take advantage of every opportunity to declare His love to others through their actions while proclaiming the gospel message of salvation.
(to be continued…)

Sunday, July 1, 2012

FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION


This next section in Proverbs begins with an important admonition—one which is not given much credence in the world today:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

Proverbs 1:7–16 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.”

In the Hebrew the word “beginning” makes reference to “the principal thing.”  Most of the intellectual elite in this world consider this to be a foolish statement; that is because they are wise in their own eyes.  The prophet Isaiah warns against this mindset.

Isaiah 5:20–21 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

Later in Proverbs Solomon warns that this attitude is fatal.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Knowledge can only be rightly applied with wisdom when one understands that God our Creator is the source of all knowledge and the only One with authority to determine how to use it for good.  When men choose to ignore His authority and His will as revealed in His word, they inevitably end up using it for wicked purposes; Solomon calls them fools.

Another observation from this passage, children should be able to depend upon the instruction of their parents.  Solomon was obviously referencing parents who recognized God as Lord.  Sadly, in this day and age that is a group greatly in the minority.  The news is full of reports of crimes being committed by children, especially those that align themselves with gangs.  Disrespect of authority figures both at home and in school is in evidence throughout our nation because we have turned away from God and from teaching according to biblical principles.

The next section of verses seems to be a significant commentary on the gang culture in our nation.  The members use peer pressure to encourage others to join them.  They lure them with the thought of getting rich at the expense of others.  They have no respect for life and are motivated solely by their own selfish desires.  Solomon warns (my paraphrase):  Their actions are evil, and they are quick to kill to get what they want.   

Sin as defined by God’s word is becoming more and more acceptable in our culture and people are drawing further and further away from embracing the love of God and living a life defined by that love.   Jesus foretold that this would be descriptive of the times before His return.

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Paul warned Timothy that this type of mindset would be characteristic of the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

(to be continued…)