Friday, May 9, 2014

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 28:25-28


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Our Relationship To The Law Of God: Submission To The Law: Proverbs 28:25-28

25) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.


In this chapter, Solomon directs our attention to having the proper relationship to the moral laws of the Lord (this would include the 10 commandments and the other manifold laws of God that are based upon His person and His character.  As such, these laws are in effect for all time periods and peoples...

EXPOSITION:
In this devotion, we will look at how a humble, submissive spirit before the Lord is necessary to genuinely keeping the law of God…

25) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
1. The person that possesses desires that are unlimited by God’s laws, irritate others leading to unrest and quarreling
2.  but the person that is confident in the Lord will have satisfaction and peace.

Those who are driven by sinful desires influence others to be resentful and disagreeable.  The example they are setting for others is a covetous example, always being dissatisfied and desiring the possession of others.  This leads to disagreement and strife between the envied and the envious. 

However, those who are Godly in spirit influence others to be satisfied and at peace.  They recognize the many blessings of God, looking beyond this physical world, to the glorious eternity awaiting them.  It is this attitude that fosters contentment and harmony among themselves and others. 

Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.  (Jeremiah 17:7-8)


26) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
1.  The person that is confident in his desires and his decisions is one who does not apply God’s Word to their lives.
2.  The person that applies the Word to his life, and recognizes his sinful desires and inabilities, will be protected.

When the Word is applied to our lives, we will see the sinful condition of our fallen nature and recognize its effect on our desires and decisions of life.  It will cause us to look to the Lord, in faith, awaiting His guidance and enabling to overcome the sinful influences of our flesh.

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?  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.
 (Jeremiah 17:9-10)


27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
1.  The person that shares with those who are lacking, will not become destitute
2.  The person who turns his eyes from the poor will receive a statement of coming judgment

For those who are willing to share their goods to meet the needs of others will not become poor because of his sharing.  However, those who refuse to aid the needy will stand before the Lord in judgment.  For the saved, it will involve loss of rewards, for the lost, it will involve eternal punishment.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.  Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.  His heart [is] established, he shall not be afraid, until he see [his desire] upon his enemies.  He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.    (Psalms 112:5-9)



28) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
1.  When the lawless are promoted, men conceal themselves from the sight of the wicked
2.  When the wicked are brought to ruin, the lawful men excel

When the wicked are placed in high positions of authority, their subjects fear them and attempt to escape their authority because they are mistreated and abused.  When the wicked rule is brought to an end, the Godly men will exceed and flourish.

They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.  (Job 24:4)



SUMMARY:

Submission to the desires of the Lord for our lives will reap both temporal and eternal blessings for each one of us.  However, for those who stubbornly refuse to follow His desires will only reap temporal and eternal loss.  One of the greatest motivations that will aid us in our desire to continue in the will of the Lord is keeping our eyes on eternity.  For the saved, it will be a motivation to do His will out of appreciation of all He has done for us in securing eternity with Him.  For the lost, it is a reminder of their need to turn to Him as Lord and Savior, before they enter eternity and face His eternal wrath.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.


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