Boldness! Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, 
 But the righteous are bold as a lion. 

What a great proverb to take solace in when we are in trouble or in stress. Those who have no faith in God "flee" (look for an escape) even when they don't actually see an enemy. But, they should flee ... for the God of the universe is their Judge! Read also Leviticus 26:17, 36 & Psalm 53:5 for further reference to those who run when nothing is in pursuit. If you remember the story of Hezekiah and the King of Assyria that is exactly what happened. Hezekiah prayed to God and the King and his army fled away from Israel even though no one was there (2 Kings 18, 19). People who don't fear God fear everything else, including their own imaginations. But, those who have trust in God have nothing to fear. Not the army behind them or the Red Sea in front of them (Exodus 14). Not the giant in front of them (1 Samuel 17), or the lion or fire around them (Daniel 3 & 6). Those who trust in God are confident (bold) that God will revive them and use His mighty arms and hands to protect them (Psalm 138:7,8). We can be bold, not because we have some magical strength or superior weapon, but because we are safe in the hands of God. If we face harm it is there by God's design plan. If it is there by God's design plan we can be sure that God will not only bring us through, but also bring us beyond. We can be bold because as God has made us righteous He also will make us safe. (For further study see also Job 20:24 and Proverbs 15:24.)

This proverb is very graphic.   In my minds eye I see a man running as fast as he can and as scared as he can be, with no apparent threat to him or with anything pursuing him. As he runs by he passes a man who is sitting in a chair sipping tea. The man in the chair just shakes his head and laughs as the terror filled man races by. The righteous know who is in charge and therefore don't dread or fear the terror by night. God is in complete control of cancer, markets crashing, job unemployment, marriage fights, weather disasters, and any other thing that man fears. The thief in the night can't scare the man who is walking in the righteousness of the King of Kings. The righteous are as bold as a lion because a truly righteous person is not trusting in his own righteousness but knows he is but dust and it is only through the grace of God that he has righteousness. That is what makes the righteous a bold as a lion.  Here is how it is stated in the Psalms:

Psalms 91:3-6 (ESV)
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

God’s Steadfast Love - Psalms 117-118

Psalms 118:1 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalms 118:29
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalms 118 opens and closes with the same thought.   But, this is not the bread of Psalm 118, it is the meat and subject of what lies between the two.   The author wants to demonstrate throughout Psalm 118 God’s steadfast love.   The author wants us to know that God is good.   All goodness comes from God.  Look how James said it to the early church:

James 1:17 (ESV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

God is good and gives good.   He goes on to say that God’s goodness is seen in his steadfast love.  A love that endures forever.  To know that we are loved by a God who loves forever and steadfastly is a wonderful thought.  This is why the writer tell us to “give thanks.”   Our praise and thankfulness can be about many aspects of God and His character.  In this psalm the writer wants us to not just recognize God’s steadfast love but to also react to it in praise and thankfulness.   

Formula for Success - 2 Chronicles 11-16

2 Chronicles 15:1-2 (ESV)
The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

The formula for success: See Above!    The world has written many books and articles about how to be successful.   However, much of the truth of the books and articles will hinge upon what the reader uses as a definition for success.  In the above verses we have both the formula for success and the definition of success.  Success is defined as having God with us in our activities.   The formula is that when we pursue God we are assured that those activities will have His permission, power and presence in them.   God sent the message to King Asa.  Asa was the King of Judah.  Throughout most of his life he followed this formula.   However, in the subsequent chapter (16) we read where Asa goes contrary to this formula.    He falls into a trap of trusting something and someone other than God’s power, permission and presence.   This message was sent to Asa through a prophet but by the Spirit of God.     This formula has the authority of God.   Notice what is later stated to Asa “after” he goes against this formula:

2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

God is going to and fro on the earth looking for those who will seek Him to strengthen them with His presence, power and permission to do what is in the heart for Him.   That is the formula for success.   

Numbers 29:1

Numbers 29:1 (ESV)
“On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets,

The seventh month of the year was a good month for the Jewish community.   Not only is the number “seven” the number of perfection, the month is also, actually, the first month on the Jewish calendar.   But, once in Egypt the Israelites adopted the Egyptian calendar and that meant their first month (New Year) was moved to the seventh month.  Moses instructs them to have a  “holy convocation” to the Lord.   The assembly was supposed to meet to celebrate and worship the Lord.   These ceremonial directives would, soon, become perfunctory obligations of the flesh, however, rather than from the heart.   God would ask them to celebrate Him from their heart, but they would turn the worship into form religion vs seeking God in their heart.  That is was the issue will all the commands God gave them about worship. It became form and not a heart-felt conviction to bring praise to God.   This is why the priest had to come to God over and over.   It was not until Jesus came and sacrificed once for all, to make the worship a part of the heart and not part of the structure of their lives (Hebrews 8-10).  We should be careful, ourselves, to turn the worship into an exercise of flesh rather than spiritual worship from the heart.   God commands us to bring out worship to Him from our hearts (Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:26-27).   That is what God wants from us. Not a form of worship with no heart for Him!

We are His Brother - Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews 2:11-12 (ESV)
For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Jesus is not ashamed to call us “brothers.”  That is an amazing truth.   We can rejoice in God wanting to establish a relationship with us.  Through Christ’s sacrifice we have begun and will be completed in Christ as His brother and God’s child.  Note how F.F. Bruce states this in his commentary: 

(NIC_HE) For a consecrating priest and those whom he consecrates are all of one stock” (NEB). That is a general truth, and in this supreme instance it is exemplified by the fact that not only do he who consecrates and those who are consecrated share a common humanity but also he is the Son of God and they are sons and daughters of God. It is by his sacrifice of himself in obedience to God’s will that they are sanctified, as appears more fully later in the epistle—“sanctified once for all through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ” (10:10). By his death they are consecrated to God for his worship and service and set apart for God as his holy people, destined to enter into his glory. For sanctification is glory begun, and glory is sanctification completed. And since those who are sanctified to God through his death are sons and daughters of God, the Son of God is not ashamed to acknowledge them as his brothers and sisters—not only as those whose nature he took upon himself, but those whose trials he endured, for whose sins he made atonement, that they might follow him to glory on the path of salvation which he himself cut.

We have been established in Christ through His obedience to the cross.  That creates a relationship with God.  As “brothers” we have the privileges of what comes with being a child of God.  We can rejoice in who we are in Christ and that relationship with God through Him. 

Be in Awe! - Acts 1-2

Acts 2:43 (ESV)
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Those who come to Christ come to Him in “awe.”   The Greek word in this text for “awe” is “phobos.”  This is were we get out English word “phobia.”   The writer of Acts (Luke) is not necessarily laying out pure doctrine in the book of Acts.   It doesn’t mean there is no doctrine in Acts, it just means that is not his point.  He is trying to give us a “historical” look at the growth of the church.   When we see doctrine in Acts we have to interpret the material in light of that purpose of Luke.   In the above passage we see that he is recording for us “how” people came to Christ.    They came with a sense of fear (awe) about what God was doing in them and in their midst of those around them.   The apostle Paul (who is all about pure doctrine) said it this way to the church that would later in Acts be established in the city of Philippi: 

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The writer of Hebrews (which would be written thirty-years later than the above incident took place) would eventually write the same thought this way:

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Our fear and awe of God is because we see what He is doing within us through the power of the Spirit.  God is doing a spiritual work within us.  We are being conformed daily into His image:

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

We can rejoice that God is doing a great work within us.  That work is a new creation.  Like all creation we should be in “awe” of what God is doing in our lives.   

God’s Wrath is Devastating - Obadiah

Obadiah 1:5-6 (ESV)
If thieves came to you,
if plunderers came by night—
how you have been destroyed!—
would they not steal only enough for themselves?
If grape gatherers came to you,
would they not leave gleanings?
How Esau has been pillaged,
his treasures sought out!

Gods discipline is complete, thorough and devasting.  That is the lesson from the above verses.   The book of Obadiah is the prophecy against the country of Edom.   Edom is the country that was established by Jacob’s brother, Esau.   Esau was the brother who sold his birthright to Jacob and was swindled out of his father’s blessing by Jacob.   So, the hatred that Edom had for Israel was long standing and very apparent.   God sends Obadiah to speak a prophecy against Edom about the punishment that God is going to bring on them for how they treated their “brother” Israel. In the above verses we read Obadiah’s comments about the devastation God’s punishment will bring.  We are told in Hebrews that God brings discipline in our lives (Hebrews 12).  We seldom think about the devastation of God’s discipline.   In these verses Obadiah makes that comment that although a thief steals, they only steal what they want. They don’t steal everything.   The grape gathers only pick the grapes they want and not all the grapes.   But, God’s devastation on Edom will not be like those things.  That is the point of the passage.   When God disciplines mankind He does so with compete and utter devastation.   

Proverbs 26:13-16

Proverbs 26:13-16 (ESV Strong's)
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.

The lazy person will always bring destruction on any group of people; a nation, an organization, a family, a team, etc. In the above group of proverbs we see some of the ways the sluggard deteriorates the world around them.  Note:

1. They make excuses - the, “lion in the street” excuse. The sluggard sees a lion, the diligent sees lunch.   They will never take the risk they need to break through the work needed to be done. 

2. They refuse to put for effort - the, “let me just take another five minutes in bed” excuse.  They simply want to rest, relax and ruminate.  

3. They refuse to simply do the one last thing - the, “I don’t have enough strength to even lift my hand to take a bite” excuse.   Imagine this scene. The strength they need to do the work is in the dish of food they refuse to eat.   They defy irony.  

4. They talk big, promote self, but do few things and know little - the, “I am smarter than you,” excuse.   They seem to know how to do things (at least tell you how to do something) but never do anything.   

The sluggard is a disaster waiting to happen for anyone.  However, they would never be the one who takes responsibility for the disaster they created.   

Death of the Saints is Precious to God - Psalms 114-116

Psalms 116:15 (ESV)
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.

What a great truth!!  We could end this journal entry by just repeating this phrase over and over and over.   The key word is “precious.”  It is used 35x in the Old Testament.  To better understand how it is used, note these passages:

It can mean “valuable:”

2 Samuel 12:30 (ESV)
And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.

It can mean “rare” (as in special):

1 Samuel 3:1 (ESV)
The LORD Calls Samuel
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. (Rare: same Hebrew word)

It can mean “weighty:”

(ESV) Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (Outweighs: Same word as precious).

The point of the verse is to say that when those who love God and have faith in God, through His Son, die, God takes notice.  They are “precious” (valuable, special and weighty) to Him.   We should realize that Satan is the god of death and Christ came to give us life so that we defeat death, through His death:

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

God is BIG and little, at the Same Time! - 2 Chronicles 6-10

2 Chronicles 6:18 (ESV)
“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!

God is really BIG!   That might be the wrong way to express the above verse, but Solomon is trying to tell us that God does not fit into the box we design for Him.  The above verse is taken from a prayer of Solomons as he was dedicating the Temple he built for God.   When he started out to build the Temple, Solomon had the same mindset:

2 Chronicles 2:5-6 (ESV)
The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?

What we learn from this is that God, if He wants to dwell in man-made buildings, He has to choose to fit Himself into a box.   Think about the incarnation of Christ.   When the Son of God came to earth, He came in the form of a baby.  He grew to be a man.   God had to choose to “shrink” to fit into a bouncing baby boy’s body.   This is what Paul is talking about in Philippians:

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

God came in the Incarnation of Christ and to be contained by "flesh,” even though flesh can’t contain Him.   This is the amazing God we love, honor, worship and place our hope.  God is too big for a building, but, willingly, small enough to become a baby.   Amazing!!   

Leadership Authority - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 27:22-23 (ESV)
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the LORD directed through Moses.

Leadership has to have authority.   In the above passage we are reading the final chapters of Moses’ life of leadership and the first chapters of Joshua’s life of leadership.   Moses has been told he is about to go up to the mountain and will die as he looks out to the promise land.  Joshua will be on the same mountain and will be told to lead the people into the promise land. One is leaving the other is going.    Moses failed to honor God when the people he was leading complained about having no water (Numbers 27:13-14).   This has disqualified him to lead the people into the promise land.  But, before his death, Moses wants to make sure the people are cared for (Numbers 27:15-21).   This is the sign of a great leader.  Even in transition and succession a great leader wants to make sure that they people and the work continue (this was true of David as he left the kingdom to his son Solomon and Paul as he left the ministry to Timothy and Titus).   In the above text we read that Moses brought Joshua in front of the priest (Eleazar ... who would be at his side as they went into the promise land) and before the people.  This is the moment that Joshua will be commissioned to lead the people.  It was a public ceremony.   It was before the priesthood.  It was with Moses’ blessings.   The congregation of Israel would have no moment of lost leadership.  This is the succession plan of God.   Leadership has to have this moment.  It can be scheduled.  It can be manufactured.  It can be developed.  It can be spontaneous.  But, it has to happen.   In 2 Samuel 16:15-21 we read about how Absalom tried to create this moment while taking the leadership of Israel away from his father David.  Absalom created a coup and made himself king.   He created a moment where what we see happened here with Moses and Joshua would establish his authority.   Leadership without authority and only responsibility is a leadership destined to fail.   Just because the “ceremony” happens, doesn’t make the person a good leader (see the story of Saul).  But the authority must be established.   This is God’s method throughout His Word.  

Practical Justice - Philemon

Philemon 1:4-5 (ESV)
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

The book of Philemon is a fabulous story.  It is a story about justice.   It is a story about wrong.  It is a story about a slave.  It is a story about restoring WITH justice to a slave who did wrong.   Sounds confusing, but it is not.   Philemon was a man in the early church.  We can imagine he was a man of some status as he both had a slave and was known to Paul.   He may have had a church in his house (most churches met in homes in the days of the early church).   Philemon had a slave whose name was Onesimus.    Apparently, from reading both the lines of this little letter ,and somewhat between the lines, Onesimus has not just run away from Philemon, but has also taken something of value from him.   He finds himself in jail, chained to or in the same area as Paul.  Paul leads him to the Lord.  Now he has been restored to God but the justice of the cross.   He is in jail and is being restored by justice to society by the justice of the law.  Now he needs to be restored to justice by the love of a brother in Christ.   The text does not address the FACT that Philemon was a believer and had a slave.  That is puzzling on the surface.   There are several explanations for this behavior, none of which probably fit our challenges with that thought today.   Probably the best thought (although this may not be the case in Philemon’s situation) is that the thought of “slaves” in this culture is more like a “fact of life.”  The Roman culture simply accepted it as a societal norm.  That does not make it right and doesn’t excuse Philemon, but it does give us context.  The key to the book being addressed, however, is how this slave had done wrong and was restored from a theological perspective by Christ’s justice on the cross and restored through criminal justice message by time in prison.   Now Paul wants Philemon to restore him in relationship to the community of believers.   There was to be NO holding grudge, payback, or restitution ... Paul was willing to pay the restitution.   Just like Christ paid for the sins of Onesimus toward God, Paul would pay for the sins of Onesimus toward Philemon.  This is justice at this best for an oppressed person in the community of faith.   He had to take personal responsibility and the church had to recognize a change in status and position in the Body. That is a point to think about when we talk about justice for those who are in awkward positions of status and wrong.  

God’s Comfort - John 19-21

 John 20:11-18 (ESV)
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

In the midst of our greatest hurt and greatest fear, we can know that God has provided comfort.  God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).   One of the first teachings of Jesus was to tell us that, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4).   God sent His Son to comfort us in our deepest hurts.  In the above passage we read about Mary’s sorrow.   As she weeper, Jesus shows up to give her comfort.  The comfort is not what the world offers.  Her comfort is the hope of the day she will be forever with Him.   Jesus did not talk to her about the things of this earth.   Jesus talked to her about the things of hope, of heaven and of eternity.   This world was not the point.  Mary, the disciples and we have to remember that truth as we sorrow.  Paul told us not to sorry over the loss of this life, like the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).  We are not to sorrow as those who have no hope.   We are to make sure we embrace God’s comfort.   But, we must not characterize God’s comfort in the way we like.  We are to remember that the real comfort comes from having the hope that Jesus provided in His death and resurrection.  That was the most powerful comfort He could give Mary ... and us!!

Watch out for Sin! Amos 5-9

Amos 6:4-6 (ESV)
“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory
and stretch themselves out on their couches,
and eat lambs from the flock
and calves from the midst of the stall,
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp
and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,
who drink wine in bowls
and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

What grabs our attention more: Social media feeds or the sin of mankind around us?   That might be the modern way to look at the above passage.  We have so many distractions in our world that keep us from the more important aspects of life: Personal holiness!   The prophet Amos was sent to Israel to prophecy against the nations sinful practices.  There were many to speak against and about.   The above passage brings out the nations apathy toward apostasy.   Instead of being concerned about those around them who are failing to obey God, they simply enjoyed the pleasures of their life.  Their philosophy was, “I’m good! I have no need to be involved in the lives of others. Whatever they do is their business!”    The nation has gone a long way since they came out of Egypt with Moses and this happened:

Numbers 15:32-36 (ESV)
While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Now, that is sensitivity to sin in the camp!   God knows that when we close our eyes to the sin in our community, we become not just apathetic, but complicit.   Note what Paul told the Galatians church’s and the church at Corinth:

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (ESV)
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

God knows the value of the community being on the look out for sin in our midst.  We are to make sure we have our own lives right with God, of course.  But, we have an obligation to keep the community pure of sin. If not, a prophet like Amos is sent to warn us and destruction will follow.   

Leadership - Proverbs 25:2-7

 Proverbs 25:2-7 (ESV)

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

In the above set of proverbs, we have several aspect of leadership that help understand leadership, as well as help us work with and interact with leaders.   Note:

1.  Leaders are to be curious, inquisitive and diggers of truth.   In verse two we read that they are to “search things out.”  They are not to take the easiest argument. They are not to take the familiar path.  They are not to take the “group-think-latest-flavor-of-the-month-philosophy.”   They are to “search things out.”

2.  Leadership is meant to be deep.  Verse three tells that a leader is, at times, unsearchable.   In Psalms 145:3 we read that God is great and His ways unsearchable.   Leadership is not for the light thinker.   Because they don’t follow the simple thoughts of the crowd (see verse 1), they are deeper in thought and mind than their followers.   This is not an excuse for a leaders to be an enigma, but it is the reason they often are.   In Hebrews 4:11-12 we read that God’s Word is the only instrument that can cut through this ambiguity of leadership.   

3. According to verses four and five, leadership can have a stronger leadership presence and more beneficial leadership following if they weed out the wicked from their midst.   Having a “throne established in righteousness” is equivalent in our day of having a culture that magnifies God.  It is doubtful most corporations have in their mission statement, “glorify God everyday.”   But, when a leader weeds out unrighteousness the net result is righteousness can flourish and grow - impacting the culture. 

4.  In verses six and seven we have look into the position of leadership.  The verses don’t talk about a quality of leadership, but simply what the position projects.   To be called into the presence of great leadership is an honor, according to these proverbs.   To simply assert yourself into their world is foolish, according to Solomon.   The point he is making is that humility is essential if you want to impact leadership above you.   We don’t just rush into their presence.   There is a power about leadership.  God ordains leadership.  We ought not take it lightly.  We ought not treat it with disrespect.  Romans 13 tells us what that respect looks like and why God puts leaders in place.   When working with leadership we ought to remember that they are ordained of God and placed there by God (Psalms 75:7).   We ought never to rush in an attempt to impact them.   

These are four important lessons about leadership.   When we understand God’s role in leadership and how He determines their course and their actions, we can better follow them and work with them.   

Fearing the Lord Benefits Children - Psalms 111-113

Psalms 112:2 (ESV)
His offspring will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

The person referred to in the above verse is the “man who fears the Lord,” from verse one.  Psalm 112 goes on to list several attributes for this person.  The one who “fears the Lord” is not passive, but is highly engaged in obeying and honoring God’s Word.   Faith is not absent obedience to the one who “fears the Lord.”   Psalm 112 gives a long list of benefits that are attributed to the one who “fears the Lord.”   The first benefit mentioned is the one above.   The offspring of the one who “fears the Lord” will be “mighty” in the land.  This is the same word word for King David’s “mighty” men.   This is a real blessing and honor to be referred to has “mighty.”   But, the second line qualifies what the psalm is saying overall.  The one who “fears the Lord” in verse one, also “greatly delights in His commandments.”  So, too, the one who is “mighty” in the land is one who is “the generation of the upright.”  The parent who “fears the Lord” is not automatically blessed with “offspring” who are “mighty.”    They, too, must be a “generation of the upright.”  God does not simply give those who follow Him wonderful and mighty children.  They too must follow in obedience to His will.  But, the parent who “fears the Lord” has a greater chance to have “mighty offspring” because they are teaching the children the “fear of the Lord” by their very walk in life.   Those who set the example of fearing God can have a better hope of children who will do the same. 

God Makes the Rich and the Poor - 2 Chronicles 1-5

2 Chronicles 1:14-17 (ESV)
Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders would buy them from Kue for a price. They imported a chariot from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, and a horse for 150. Likewise through them these were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

The above passage is the same passage from 1 Kings 10:26-29.   That passage is given at the end of the story of Solomon’s reign.  The above is given at the beginning of Solomon’s reign, here in Chronicles.  The point of the passage is to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to Solomon, by keeping His promise to bless Him.  Solomon, when confront to God and offered a “make-a-wish” moment, did not ask for riches.  He, in his youth, asked for wisdom.   God gave him wisdom AND riches, however.   The above statement is a glimpse at what those riches looked like.  A remarkable line in the above verses is that Solomon was so rich, that he made “sliver and gold” as common as stone in Jerusalem.   That means something.   God was not kidding when He promised Solomon riches and splendor.    God has the power to change the entire economy of the world the way He wills it.   We think, as intelligence investors and business minds, that we control the world’s assets and stock market ups and downs.   But, in reality, God makes the rich and the poor.  Solomon is an example of this truth about God.  He even wrote about it, because this truth did not escape him:

Proverbs 22:2 (ESV)
The rich and the poor meet together;
the LORD is the Maker of them all.

God is in complete control of the finances of the world.  Those with the placard names of finance think that their wisdom and investment strategies are what makes the market fluctuate.  It is not.  It is the God of the universe who makes rich and poor.  Solomon is exhibit A for God about this truth.  

Must I Not Speak What the Lord Says? - Numbers 21-24

Numbers 23:11-12 (ESV)
And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.” And he answered and said, “Must I not take care to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Numbers 23:26 (ESV)
But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the LORD says, that I must do’?”

Numbers 24:12-13 (ESV)
And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’?

A man of God must speak what the Lord tells him/her to speak.   This is such an easy lesson to see in this story of Balaam and Balak.  Balak was the king of Moab.   He twice sent high ranking officials to entice Balaam to come to him and to curse this nation of Israel that was camping right on his boarders.    Balaam was first told by God to not go to Balak (Numbers 22:12).   But, eventually he was allowed by God to go, but to only say what God told him to say.   On three occasions Balak asked him to curse Israel.  But, instead, Balaam blessed Israel.   When confronted by Balak we have these phrase, “Must I not take care to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”   Balaam  will eventually break his relationship with God and tell Balak how to defeat Israel (Numbers 25) by telling him to have their daughters marry Israel’s sons.   It is too bad that Balaam could not resist the wealth he woudl get from Balak for that deception.   If he would have obeyed his original line of only speaking what God told him, his legacy (and Israels) would be different.  Note:

2 Peter 2:15 (ESV)

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,

God goes on to use Balaam as an example of a false teacher who only wanted the gain of men and not the pleasure of God (Revelation 2:14).   Men/women of God have a responsibility to teach God’s Word and ONLY God’s Word.   God will honor that obedience.  

Zealous for Good Works - Titus

Titus 2:14 (ESV)
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Jesus has a plan.  That plan is very simply stated in the above verse.   Jesus came to give His body as a ransom to redeem us.  That redemption is not stagnant, however.   He redeemed us to make us pure, that we might be a people for Him.   We are His possession, not our own.  Our children, saved in Christ, are not our possession, they are His.   He redeemed us and purifies us so that we will be zealous for good works.   Paul told the Ephesians the same thing:

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God created us to do the good works He also created.  We are to wake up each morning looking to walk in those good works.   We are to be “zealous” to do those good works.   We can, if we fail to be alert, be laud to sleep by the world.  We can, if we fail to be alert, think that the world’s pleasures are our bounty each day.  But it is not.  Our desire each day should be to live the best life Jesus designed for us by following Him and zealously doing the good works He designed for us.  

God’s Power is Visible to All - John 16-18

 John 18:1-11 (ESV)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Christ power is on display, even in the darkest moments.   Judas was hired to betray Jesus.   He needed to find a time that Jesus was not surrounded by crowds.  Since Jesus had regularly gone to the garden to pray, Judas had the occasion he needed.  In the midst of the arrest of Jesus, however, we read that Jesus’ power was fully revealed to those sent to capture Him.   First, it was displayed when Jesus simply spoke to them.  His very breath was more powerful than their stance.   Imagine not being able to stand up in front of someone when they spoke, because their speech was so powerful.   This might explain the words of the writer of Hebrews:

Hebrews 1:2-3 (ESV)
(2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

God created the world through Jesus.  The word of HIs power is just that: powerful!  He created and upholds the world by His spoken word.  Why these people did not fall down and worship Him is quite amazing,    

The second display of His power comes after Peter tries to stop the arrest with a small dagger.   He was going to slice his way through a battalion of soldiers to start a revelation to over through the Roman government with a six inch blade he had tucked in his tunic.   Imagine the foolishness of this man.    He still didn’t get the fact that Jesus had to die for mankind to live. That was Christ’s kingdom, not this one (many Christians today forget that, as well).   When Jesus heals the servants ear we have another display of His great power.   Again, no one worships Him.   Here we have two displays of His power and they still take him to be tried and crucified.   God display His power for mankind to see and behold and worship.   Only those who live by faith see it.  Even Peter missed it.   We ought to rejoice in the power of Christ on our behalf.  

God’s Justice vs Man’s Justice - Amos 1-4

 Amos 4:1-3 (ESV)
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,
who are on the mountain of Samaria,
who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,
who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’
The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness
that, behold, the days are coming upon you,
when they shall take you away with hooks,
even the last of you with fishhooks.
And you shall go out through the breaches,
each one straight ahead;
and you shall be cast out into Harmon,”
declares the LORD.

Riches, power and status has not place in God’s order.   In the above passage we read the prophet Amos’ words about the very wealthy women of Israel.   Apparently, in a time when women waited on me and were even abused by men, these woman had reached great status.   They commanded their husbands to wait on them.   They oppressed the poor (historical is is probably the female that is more engaged with carrying for the poor, by nature).   They would “crush” the needy.  This is not a neglecting they are doing.  This is a proactive and aggressive treatment of those who cannot care for themselves.   God sees all this.  God judges all this.  These women are a representation of what was happening across Israel at the time.   God’s justice is righteous justice.  Mankind has flawed in their justice.  God sent Amos to expose the injustice of Israel and call them to repentance.  We know, based upon history, that they did not.   Amos did not fail in his mission, however.  He faithfully spoke God’s word to those who flaunted their status, riches and position and failed to show mercy and justice.  

God’s Word is Sweet!! Proverbs 23-24

Proverbs 24:13-14 (NASBStr)
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
Know that wisdom is thus for your soul;
If you find it, then there will be a future,
And your hope will not be cut off..

Imagine reading this proverb on Thanksgiving Day. There is something about a verse on food.  Our minds pick up on any verse that mentions food. But, the above proverbs are more than about food.   These two proverbs show us the sweetness and value of wisdom to the soul of man. To make the point Solomon uses the metaphor of our stomach. His point is that just as we would love and do love the sweet taste of honey so too ought we to love the spiritual taste of wisdom. Honey is good. It goes to our stomach for waste but it does taste so, so good (candied yams anyone?). For those who desire the riches of God spiritually, so too is wisdom. It delights us and will give us spiritual food for the future. Christ is the wisdom of God in body form. When we partake of Him we taste honey for the soul that provides eternal life for the future.

Honey was one of the most descriptive terms in the Old Testament.   The land that the Israelites hoped to enter was described a land flowing with milk and honey.   Often, of the 58 times the word is used in the Bible, it is used to refer to the land.    John the Baptist was said to eat honey.    It is no wonder that God uses it in His Word to describe Wisdom and His Word (which brings forth Wisdom).   Solomon, no doubt, must have heard his father David quote the following Psalms, perhaps around the dinner table.  These verses may have inspired Solomon's proverb:

Psalms 19:10 (NASBStr) (In speaking about God's Judgements ... His Word)
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
 Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalms 119:103 (NASBStr)
How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

John the Apostle in the Revelation referred to God's Word as greater than honey:

Revelation 10:10
I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.

God has given us a great proverb to understand the value, beauty and satisfaction of God's Word.   Just as honey is sweet, satisfying and pleasing to the senses, so too is God's Word, when mixed with Faith.    Enjoy God's Word as you would honey and you will find, spiritually speaking, it is equally as delicious.   Trusting it your hope will not be cut off.

God is our Valiant Hope - Psalms 108-110

Psalms 108:12-13 (ESV)
Oh grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

There are four points in these two verses from Psalm 108.   Each line gives us something to be encouraged and/or instructed by:

1.  We can find help against our foes!   God is available, ready and desirous of helping us against those who oppose us.  Psalm 109 is completely about someone who opposed King David.   God knows our foes.  God wants to help us with our foes. He is waiting to hear from us and our request for help.  

2.  Mankind can’t be dependable.   David states that “vain is the salvation of man.”   He was often hunted by Saul and tried to find refuge with others.  They would often betray him.   David learned that turning to man in the time of great need is nether profitable or dependable.   As he was run out of his own kingdom by his own son, those who were once for him deserted him.    When we put our trust in mankind we will be extremely disappointed. 

3.  God is a help that provides victory.   The Hebrew word for “valiantly” in the above text is, “chayil.”  According to Vine the word means: “strength; power; wealth; property; capable; valiant; army; troops; influential; upper-class people (courtiers).”  “First, this word signifies a faculty or “power,” the ability to effect or produce something. The word is used of physical “strength” in the sense of power that can be exerted: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength...” (Eccl. 10:10). Quite often this word appears in a military context.”   So, through God we have power to conquer.  

4. God is the best person to conquer our foes.   We have prejudice, bias and ill-will, especially toward our foes.  We are not a “righteous judge” to correct our foes.  God is the perfect judge and has pure righteousness.  When we give our foes to Him, He has the power to “tread down our foes” and the righteousness to do so without prejudice, bias and ill-will.   God’s wrath and discipline are as pure as His love and care.  

We are to go to God for help in times of need.  Especially when that need is because of how others are engaging with us.   He is the perfect help in times of these troubles.  

Wisdom for Our Vision vs Permission for Our Vision - 1 Chronicles 25-29

1 Chronicles 28:19 (ESV)
“All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the LORD, all the work to be done according to the plan.”

The above verse comes in the section of 1 Chronicles where King David is preparing all the material goods, all the labor, all the leadership and all the plans for his young son, Solomon, to build the Temple in honor of God and for Him to dwell in Jerusalem instead of the Tabernacle tent in the wilderness.   David had it in his heart to build the Temple.   He even convinced Nathan the prophet that it was a good idea and Nathan, at first, gave David a blessing to build it (1 Chronicles 17).   But, God did not want David to build the Temple.   God told David he would not build the Temple because he was a man of war and had shed blood (probably a reference to his having Uriah killed in regard to taking Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba). But, even though God may have told him he couldn't build it, God still provided him the vision and the details of the plan.  This is so, so important for us to learn about our own lives and our own walk with God.   God may tell us know on something, but that does not mean God shuts us out and/or closes us off to service for Him.   We might be disqualified for one thing, but God can and does give wisdom for another.   In this case, David’s past prevented his future path, but it did not prevent him from preparing others for that same path.   God gives wisdom and gives opportunity for that wisdom to be used for His glory.  David didn’t sulk and pout.   David continued to glorify God in a way that would see his vision come to fulfillment in the life of His son, Solomon.  God may say no to one thing but give us wisdom to navigate and see that thing come to life in the life of another.   

God is a Consuming Fire - Numbers 18-20

Numbers 19:20-22 (ESV)
“If the man who is unclean does not cleanse himself, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, since he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. Because the water for impurity has not been thrown on him, he is unclean. And it shall be a statute forever for them. The one who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and the one who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening. And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be unclean until evening.”

Holiness and purity matter to God.  The central aspect of God’s relationship with Israel is that holiness was required throughout the camp.   The Tabernacle was at the center of the camp and that was the seat of God.  God was holy, therefore the entire priesthood and community were to be holy. In the above text we are reading about what happens when someone comes in contact with dead body and “becomes unclean.”   Purity matters to God.   Since God is holy any act, situation or circumstance that produces unholiness is a matter of concern for God.  This is so serious to God that anyone who does not cleanse themselves will be “cut off” from the people.   God is not passive when it comes to His holiness.  God is very much demanding that we, too, are holy.    Notice a couple of verses from the New Testament that speak to us in a similar manner:

1 Peter 1:15 (ESV)
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

God, as a consuming fire, is holy.  He demands that our worship also be holy.   We can not live a life of impurity and believe God will simply look the other way.   God is a holy, consuming fire!

Truth Protects Us! 2 Timothy 3-4

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

We are in this “time!”    Paul started chapter three of this book telling of a time when the following will occur. People will: 

1. ... love themselves ✅

2. ... love money ✅

3. ... become proud ✅

4. ... become arrogant ✅. 

5-20. ... become abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swolllen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of Godliness ✅ ✅ ✅ etc.  

We are in this “time!”   The reason for the long list in chapter 3, is the turning away from the truth as stated in chapter 4.    When we turn from sound teaching we turn to ungodliness.   Sound teaching of truth is the brakes that prevent society from crumbling. When people reject truth this list begins to unfold. It has happened in every nation that crumbled.  You can look at this list and say, “Wow! That is exactly what is happening today.”   You would be correct.  But, this is also what happened to every nation that is no longer in existence.  They are not because they rejected truth.  God’s truth is used by the Spirit of God to hold back the wickedness in this world.  When we refuse to recognize God’s truth we turn to useless myths that stir up the mind but do not turn the heart to God.   This has been true of any generation and any nation.   The only resolution is to continue to speak truth.  When truth is shut down we will turn to other ways of behavior that are rejected by God.   This is the point of Paul telling young Pastor Timothy in the very next verse to:

2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The Spirit has a Job - John 13-15

John 14:25-26 (ESV)
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

God sent the Spirit to teach us and enable us to remember all things the Son taught and sacrificed.  The book of John is about the teachings and the final life of Christ.   It was written so that we could have assurance that Jesus was the Son of God.   In the above passage we read that before Jesus left to return to the Father, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples and, subsequently , to us.   The Spirt came on the day of Pentecost.   He has a specific role to play in the life of a believer.  We are told in the above text that the Spirit of God is to be:

1. A “Helper.”  The Greek word here is: paraklētos.  It actually is better transplanted as “counselor, or advocate.”   We know that the Spirit of God is to come along side us (para) and comfort us, guide us, speak to us and on our behalf.  

2. A “Teacher.”  The Greek word here is: didaskō.  It means what it means in the English, to teach us things.  In this case the Spirit of God is to teach us about the things of Christ.   That is the subject of every lesson He does in our lives. 

3. A “Reminder.”   The Greek word here is: hupomimnesko.  According to Vine it means: “to cause one to remember, put one in mind” (hupo, “under”), is translated “put (them) in mind” in Titus 3:1. See remember, remembrance.  It is so easy to forget the things of God and the things of Christ.  The Spirit is not a reminder on your phone to pick up milk.  The Spirit is the indwelling conscious of the believer that is constantly reminding them of the things of God; the fruit of the Spirit.   

When Jesus left to return to the Father, He stated to the disciples that He would not leave them as “orphans” (John 14:18).   He told them the Spirit of Truth would come and abide in them for a specific purpose that will enable us to live for Christ.   

God’s Wrath is Quenched by God’s Son - Joel

Joel 2:1-2 (ESV)
The Day of the LORD

Blow a trumpet in Zion;
sound an alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful people;
their like has never been before,
nor will be again after them
through the years of all generations.

The “Day of the Lord” is the heading for this section and probably all of the book of Job.  Those that put the ESV Bible together, stated this as the introduction to the book of Joel:

(ESV) The day of the Lord was a time greatly anticipated by the Israelites because they believed that God would then judge the nations and restore Israel to her former glory. Yet, said Joel, God would punish not only the nations but unfaithful Israel as well.

The book of Joel is full of disaster and God’s wrath.   We don’t always look at God through the lens of His wrath.   Our modern, contemporary church would prefer to talk mostly about God’s love, grace, mercy and care.  That is not wrong, as God is full of love, grace, mercy and care.   However, God is also a God of wrath and vengeance and justice and anger toward sin and those who reject His love, grace, mercy and care.    In the book of Hebrews we have many warnings to not give up on our faith.   In the last warning of the book we read about how Moses himself trembled at the presence of God:

Hebrews 12:18-21 (ESV)
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

We can be assured that if Moses “trembled with fear” that the average Israelite would have been terrified.   God is a God of love and we can never diminish that thought.  But, we can not and should not diminish that God is a vengeful God who will destroy His adversaries.    God is the God of Peace, as well.  He reaches out to mankind to make peace through Christ.  Once we put our faith in Christ we have peace with God (Romans 5:1) and no longer have the condemnation of God (Romans 8:1).   That is what we rejoice over!  That is what we praise God for!  We don’t fear God any longer because God has quenched His own wrath with His own Son!

Guard Your Path - Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards himself will be far from them.

I remember when I was young running through the woods without a care in the world. Then it happened.  As I aimlessly went off the beaten path and the terrain grew rougher the briers grabbed at my bare flesh.   Blood was my reward for not following the path.  I learned a valuable lesson that day ... The path was easy and safe and off the path is often dangerous and disastrous.   If I would have memorized and internalized Proverbs 22:5 I would have avoided that lesson.   Solomon wants us to realize that real danger is in the path of those who forsake God's Word.   If we "guard" ourselves (by God's Word) we can avoid the perverse.   We can stay on the path God has provided for us or we can step off the path into thorns and snares.   Blood and pain will await us when we fail to guard ourselves from the perverse way.   The only way to avoid those dangers is to stay on the prescribe path God has outlined for us in His Word.  When we yield to temptation we have to realize and recall the path we were on when that happened.  We often repent over the sin but we don’t always retrace the path we took that lead to the sin.  We have to realize that when we get off the path it will lead to sin.   When we “guard” our path we can keep ourselves from the steps that ultimately lead to sin.   If we are perverse in our steps we will have thorns and snares in our walk.   Think of those in God’s Word who have gone off the path God designed for them and paid the consequences:

1. King David strayed and it cost a child his life. 

2. Jonah strayed and it cost a ship its cargo and a fish indigestion. 

3. Absalom stray and revolted agains his father, King David, and it cost him his life. 

4. Esau strayed and sold his birthright for pot of stew and it cost him his soul. 

5. Adam and Eve strayed and it brought sin into the world onto all mankind. 

We ought to realize that going off the path.  There is a cost to be paid.   But, he who guards his soul will not have that happen.  Think of those in God’s Word who guarded their soul and the blessings that followed:

1. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and was the ONLY man of his day that was pure before God. 

2. Abigail, wife of Nabel, was a virtuous woman who eventually became King David’s wife. 

3.  The woman of Proverbs 31 is known far and wide for her virtuous ways. 

4. Paul was persecuted and beaten and imprisoned, but he so walked with God that he became the face of Christianity. 

5. Job guarded his tongue and eventually was vindicated by God. 

Those who guard their ways will be blessed in the end.  We ought to watch our step and guard our ways.   That is when we see the blessing of God in our lives.