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Proverb A DAy

Sweet Sleep!  Proverbs 3:21-26

5/15/2018

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Proverbs 3:21-26  My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,  So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.  Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;  For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
 
If you have ever lost a night's sleep due to fear or worry, you know what a blessing it is to have a sense of security and peace as you go to bed.  That is what God promises to those who base their lives upon His wisdom and Word.  Since so many have trouble sleeping, let’s take a closer look at what God says will bring us a sleep that is sweet.
 
To get the full story on God’s secure, sweet sleep you need to go back as far as verse 21.  The first thing we learn is that we need to keep sound wisdom and discretion with us.  Solomon uses the picture of wearing such things like a necklace around your neck.  What are these things?  Sound wisdom is a word that means to have wisdom that is applied to your life.  This applied, sound, wisdom brings a continuing success in walking in God’s ways.  Added to this is discretion, which means to have a purpose or plan that guides you in all that you do.  It refers to having a worldview or a plan for life that is based on the wisdom of God’s Word.  How do you get such things – this sound wisdom and life plan or purpose?  You get them by being often in God’s Word – reading and learning from God to see things the way that He sees them.  Thus the Word of God and the wisdom of God become not just a quick answer to a question.  You get the answer then move on to life on your own.  No, this sound wisdom is a lifestyle of following after God and His Word. 
 
The result of this is blessings on the inside, thus the comment on our soul receiving life.  When we hold fast to God’s wisdom there is a life given to our soul.  Our mind, will, and emotions are helped by God’s wisdom.  Our mind is instructed, our will commanded, and our emotions are quieted by God’s wisdom.  These are all things that would help contribute to sweet sleep.  There are also outward blessings.  The concept of the neck is interesting.  When someone is “stiff-necked” the Bible is referring to him or her being disobedient and rebellious.  When others are honored – they are said to receive a necklace around their neck.  This was a symbol either of victory or of authority.  There are also promises of walking in our lives safely and not stumbling as we walk.  Having such promises again help to encourage a sense of security and safety with God guiding our lives. 
 
The next verse is our focus verse – promising sleep that is sweet.  This happens to us because we are no longer “afraid.”  This is an interesting word (pahad) and it means to be in dread or a bad sense of awe of something or someone.  Deuteronomy 28:66 uses this word in the following context.
 
“So your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you will be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life.  "In the morning you shall say, 'Would that it were evening!' And at evening you shall say, 'Would that it were morning!' because of the dread of your heart which you dread, and for the sight of your eyes which you will see.”  Deuteronomy 28:66-67
 
This “dread” is because you have “no assurance of your life.”  This speaks of someone who thinks that blind fate is responsible for whatever happens next.  Someone sees the difficulties and disasters of this present world and as a result have no confidence – so much so that they dread when morning comes, wishing instead that it were evening – or wishing is was morning when it is evening.  For the person who doesn’t understand God’s omniscience (knowing all things) and omnipotence (power over all things) and loving providence – life is terrifying.  And that dread and terror makes it difficult for them to sleep at night. 
 
Isaiah 33 also speaks of this kind of fear and dread.
 
“You who are far away, hear what I have done; And you who are near, acknowledge My might."  Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?"  He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil;  He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.” Isaiah 33:13-16
 
God speaks to Isaiah about sinners who are terrified about being confronted by God.  They will not submit to Him – and as a result they eventually see that they shall stand before Him and give an account of their lives.  This makes them tremble – because they have not chosen righteousness.  Yet God’s word to the righteous is that they will dwell on the heights – with God as refuge – and with Him as an impregnable rock for their protection.  Peace with God is something that people mock, and yet it should never be underrated. Knowing peace with God gives one a peace that according to the New Testament “surpasses understanding.” 
 
What gives us sweet sleep in life?  God has revealed that it is not a pill or some secret meditation or calming that is self-taught and self-empowered.  Instead it is the wisdom of God infusing the soul.  It is God’s Word in meditation and contemplation, giving us God’s perspective as well as keeping us in His way.  There is no source that can rival a peace one has from Him.  It is a peace that cannot be taken away by earthly powers.  It is the kind of peace that allows us to sleep sweetly in the arms of His love because we know He watches over us.  We sleep sweetly because we know that even death itself cannot separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.  Such confidence breeds contentment.  Such contentment breeds peace.  Such peace results in sweet sleep. 

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The Excellent Wife - Day 5 - Inner Character - Proverbs 31:25

3/22/2013

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Proverbs 31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. 

As we look at the excellent wife, we now turn to inner qualities in her life. These are discussed in verses 25-28 and once again represent a godly woman who takes her role seriously before God, before her family, and before the outside world around her. In verse 25 three things characterize the inner qualities of this godly wife.

First, she is a woman of strength. Keil and Delitzsch say this about the word strength here. "She is clothed with strength, which is the power over the changes of temporal circumstances, which easily shatter and bring to ruin a household resting on less solid foundations." Hers is an inner strength derived from a relationship with God - and from the Scriptures, which guide those who know Him. Just as she would clothe herself daily with outward dress - she also turns each day to God for the inner strength she will need to face the world and love those in her family. When I think of what strength she functions from, Ephesians 6:10 comes to mind. "Be strong in The Lord and in the strength of His might." Any lady who has run a home knows that Keil and Delitzsch's comments are very true. The average home faces changing circumstances - especially when it comes to the people who live in it. The godly wife is a rock to her family - in that she faces the problems they face with the wisdom of God. The throes of a child's life - especially in the Junior and Senior High years are a roller-coaster of emotions, highs and lows, and wrestling with the world seeking to influence them negatively. She faces every battle - every situation - every new trial with strength.

Secondly, we see that she faces these things with "dignity." The word here is "glory" which here points to a mindset that thinks above that which is low, little, or common. She does not look to life as just getting by or living for the things of this world. She thinks higher than that. She is clothed with a mind and a heart that reaches higher - that desires a life that glorifies God. Some live aspiring to no glory at all. They live in the mundane and think that is all that they will be able to do. But a godly woman knows that God wants to work in those around her - and she cooperates, knowing that in doing so a touch of glory will be on the lives of those around her as a result. She is both dignified - and lives with a dignity that has others look up to her.

Because of these things the godly wife smiles at the future. There is something that is needed today. Too many look at the future and grit their teeth as they await the devastation they figure is coming. The godly woman faces all things with God's strength seeking God's glory - and as a result smiles that although much may be wrong in the world - she sees things in light of growing closer to God and doing things that glorify Him. As a result, regardless of the circumstances, she smiles at the future knowing that getting closer to God - loving Him more - serving Him better - and selflessly giving herself for those around her is not governed by anyone other than herself as she responds to God Himself. That is why while all others seem to frown at the future - she stands smiling and looking to God for His work even in the midst of a crooked and godless generation.

The inner strength, character, and outlook of the excellent wife set her apart from other women. She stands as a beacon of hope and joy in a world where too many struggle with depression and thoughts that everything stinks. Rather than let the world depress her - she seeks to live by God's purposes and designs - and then seeks to influence the world rather than let it influence her. What a delight it is to know such a woman - and an ever better one to have one blessing your home.
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Bad Teeth and Slippery Feet - Proverbs 25:19

8/31/2012

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Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.   Proverbs 25:19
 
Speaking as a man who has actually had a bad tooth and an unsteady foot, I can say that it must not be a good thing to put confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.  Today's proverb deals with who to trust when times are difficult.  The one you want to trust is one who has proven himself faithful  - and who has done it over the long haul of life.  
 
A bad tooth is something that is very tricky.  I had a tooth that was cracked.  It was a hairline crack the entire length of the tooth.  This made for a very interesting time eating - and especially drinking something cold.  The problem was that the tooth would be fine a lot of the time.  It was just when something hit it and opened the hairline crack that things got interesting.  My dentist couldn't find it when I went to him about it.  He looked and looked, but just couldn't seem to get the hairline to open so that he could see if it was that particular tooth that had gone bad.  Then he was able to shoot some liquid where it went into and opened the crack.  Needless to say, I began to levitate off the chair in tremendous pain.  Thankfully, he was able to remove the tooth - and life has been much better.  That experience helps me understand the need for good teeth - not bad.
 
The same can be easily said for the character of who you trust in a time of trouble.  You do NOT want someone who is faithless in that moment.  The faithless man is the one who will either run - or possibly even turn on you in trouble.  He will not be faithful to stand and fight.  He will not be faithful to stand and encourage you.  He will not be faithful to stand back to back and watch your back and your blind spots as trouble passes by in life.  That man is not to be trusted with your difficulties and trials.  For that you want a faithful friend!  
 
Similarly, you don't want someone who is like an unsteady foot.  The Hebrew word here specifically speaks of a "slipping" foot.  You want a foot that is steady - especially in times of trouble, trial, and storminess in your life.  You want to plant your foot and know that it is steady and strong.  You want to know that it will not slip - but will be a foundation that though all else is giving way - your foot will be steady.  As I said at the begining of today's post - I know something about an unsteady foot.  This particular story is somewhat embarassing because it also evidences my propensity for doing some fairly dumb things.  
 
We live in northeast Arkansas - where in the winter we are in the habit of having some pretty nasty ice storms.  One winter recently we had a doozy - which dropped about 5-7 inches of ice on us.  The problem with ice storms is that they weigh down trees and break their limbs.  This ice storm had broken a huge limb off of one of our trees and dropped it into our bedroom.  The limb fell in such a way that it pierced through the roof and was sticking through our bedroom ceiling.  Seriously lacking wisdom, I made my way onto the roof of our home (which was covered in ice) to get the limb off the roof.  With a chainsaw (I know the level of stupidity is rising) and a tree saw, I went to remove the limb.  I was able to accomplish this easily and lowered the chainsaw and saw with a rope to the ground.  Then I went to get off the roof.  The problem was I had pretty much flattened the ice on it to where it made a great slide - which, by the way, is not what you want your roof to be when attempting to get off of it.  That is, unless you want to get off quickly - which was what happened to me.  What was pretty sure footing on the way up - was not an icy slide on the way down.  To say I had an unsteady or slipping foot is an understatement.  I survived the fall off the roof onto my driveway (just missing a car hood) and decided that any other limbs could remain as a decorative touch to my roof if they damaged it.  I was going to wait until the ice was gone.  But, for our purposes today, this was the example of a slipping foot.  Not something to trust on an icy roof - or in icy conditions in your life either.  
 
We all are going to face difficulties and trials in life.  There will be trouble if we are fallen humans, which we are, in a sinful world - which it is.  Therefore there is no need to compound our trials and difficulties by having to rely upon someone who is untrustworthy and unfaithful in the midst of them.  This is where you need true friends who are reliable.  It is also a reminder to us on an ultimate level to consider Almighty God as the ultimate friend in all circumstances.  The false gods of this world will fail you for they are infinitely unfaithful to stand in the ultimate day of trouble - the judgment day.  In that day you want the "friend who sticks closer than a brother."  You want the Savior whose blood speaks better than the blood of Abel.  You want the foundation that will stand when the storms come and the floods burst against the house of your life.  You want Jesus Christ - King of kings - Lord of lords - the True and Faithful One Who will stand.  And in a lesser, yet very applicable picture for today, you want the Good Tooth and the Steady Foot - both of which Jesus is every day for all eternity.  Trust Him - for He will never forsake you - or fail you!
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True and False Confidence - Proverbs 21:29

8/3/2012

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A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.   Proverbs 21:29
 
We have shown to us here two ways of confidence.  What distinguishes them is two important things.  The first is pretty obvious - which is that one involves a wicked man while the other is upright.  The other is a little more subtle because it involves attitudes and ways that they approach the confidence that they have.  
 
The wicked man, we are told, displays a bold face.  A better way to say this is that he displays his confidence with arrogance.  He is a man who is not open to rebuke or correction.  He is not open to anyone opposing his ideas or where he stands.  This is due to a hardened heart.  His confidence is a show - and often is not based on fact but on being able to bull their way through life - making others back down due to their confidence - even if it was based on false premises.
 
The upright man is about truth.  Note that the wicked man just "displays" a bold face.  His confidence is an act that he keeps up before others.  The upright man is interested in making his way "sure."  He wants facts and a confidence that is based out of doing God's will and living in His ways.  He makes his way sure by making it biblical, god-honoring, and  god-glorifying.  He seeks a God-oriented confidence not based on himself and being able to make others think he is confident.  It is based on knowing God - and being confident that no matter what happens - if God is pleased he has done what needs to be done.  He doesn't want to be "right" in his own mind, he wants to be right with and before God.    What is important is being "sure" that God is pleased.  
 
As I close today's post, I want to share a little about the word "sure" because is it such an important concept for us if we want to understand biblical confidence.  The word "sure" is from a Hebrew word that speaks of a firm, strong foundation.  Confidence in our lives is not based on our works - but on God's grace that changes us.  Worldly confidence is founded on the shifting sands of achievement based on this world's standards.  God, though, says that what will we be profited if we gain the whole world, yet lose our souls?  The core of confidence is knowing that we are living for something (or in our case Someone) that will never be subject to the destruction of moth or rust - something that cannot be stolen or taken from us.  Thus to live for what is "sure" is to live for what God's Word teaches us is eternal.  And as my former pastor, brother Al in Auburn, said - that is the Word of God and the souls of men.
 
The wicked may put on a bold face in their lifestyles, their wealth, their short-lived happiness, and their godless choices, but these things are not sure.  They WILL fade away.  They WILL pass away.  They WILL burn in the end.  When time passes away and is exposed for the shadow world it truly is.  When eternity establishes itself as the true substance - then we will iknow that the upright man made the right choice.  He did not merely try to convince others of his confidence.  He had a confidence rooted in God' grace, God's Word, and in God Himself, the Ultimate Reality.
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The Confidence-Inspiring Fear of God - Proverbs 14:26

1/8/2012

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In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.  
​Proverbs 14:26

It is in the book of Proverbs that we learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Only when we have a proper respect and fear of God will we understand things as we ought to in life.  It is a lack of fearing God that leads to sin and to ungodly behavior and choices.  Thus it should be no shock to us that the fear of the Lord brings us a strong confidence in how we live, what we say, and in how we look to the future.  The fool has no such confidence in life.  Their brief forays into confidence are mere moments of braggadoccio that fade into insignificance when suffering and death make their appearance. 

Confidence comes to the man or woman of God because they fear the Lord.  They truly know the end of the story - which is that man will stand in the judgment before a holy God.  That seems a little odd at first because we read in the book of Hebrews that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.  But for the one who fears the Lord, that day will not involve falling into the hands of a yet angry and wrathful God.  Wisdom has told him to run to God's provision of forgiveness and grace which is in Jesus Christ.  When we do this we know that the wrath of God fell upon His own Son, so that we might be forgiven and granted great grace by our loving Father.

When we choose to fear God now - we will not have to cower in terror later.  We fear God now - looking in absolute terror at the cross and what God truly requires in His holiness to pay for the debt of sin.  It is in seeing what had to be done to Christ Jesus to pay for sin that we cringe in horror at what our wickedness truly costs.  But when we embrace Jesus Christ, receiving the gift of repentance and faith, our sins are gone.  Thus there is no longer the "terror of the Lord" at the thought of judgment, but rather a strong confidence that our anchor will hold.  Jesus Christ has paid all that there is to pay - and we are forgiven and free. 

The second part of this proverb is vital for us to see as well.  We are told that the children of the man who fears the Lord will have a a refuge.  This points to the fact that if a man truly knows the Lord, his greatest desire is for his children to know his Savior as well.  The refuge that his children have is first seen in how he rears them and teaches them the Scriptures.  What a wonderful refuge is provided by a set of godly parents to their children as they grow up in the Lord.  The parents may not be perfect, but they provide an example of two who walk with the Lord - and who look to Him for their hope and their salvation.  They also do their very best to teach their children the things of the Lord and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They pray for their children and do all that they can to see that they follow them in their pursuit of Jesus Christ in life. 

God desires for men to be saved.  That is a given when you read the Scriptures.  But there is more.  He also desires that there be many godly generations descending from a family who have come to Christ.  This is the legacy that comes to children and grandchildren - and even great grandchildren of those whose parents fear the Lord.  Oh that we would see this and live in the fear of God.  Oh that we would provide a lasting refuge - a lasting legacy of godliness and gospel-led lives to our children - and even to many generations of our families.

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A Call to God's Wisdom, part 5 - Knowing of a Truth that the Truth is the Truth!

7/29/2011

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To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? Proverbs 22:21

Why does a wise man teach his student or his son wisdom?  Why does he call him to listen and apply himself to gaining a knowledge of how to live?  Why does he call his pupil to trust in he Lord and to learn how to put that trust to use in very practical ways?  Why does he write to him of the wonderful Words of God - words that are filled with glorious counsel and knowledge that will last a lifetime?  We've been looking at verses 17-21 for the past several days - and learning from this call to God's wisdom.  Today we come to the final verse of this call and in it we find the reason this teacher/father has called his student/son to pursue and seek after God's wisdom.

"To make you know the certainty of the words of truth."  It really does not get much more plain that this does it?  The teacher is pointing the student to God's Word and wisdom because he wants him to know the truth.  Even more than this - he wants him to know that the truth is true.  I know that this sounds a little strange to us - but the literal translation of this phrase is this, "to make you know the truth of the words of truth."  The idea here is that first of all there is an ultimate truth.  There is an absolute truth upon which we can base our lives and our moral choices.  The world today does not believe this.  They believe that all truth is relative - and that we make our own truth.  This is the same lie Satan used in the garden, and the same lie that Romans chapter one says God reveals His wrath against.  In a nutshell it is the belief that we are gods - and therefore we make our own truth relative to what we (the god of ourselves - and our ultimate deception of self-worship) want for ourselves. 

The book of Proverbs (and indeed the entire Bible) militates agaisnt that view with the strongest prejudice possible.  God is ths author of truth - and He has revealed Himself through the Word of God, the Bible.  We know truth - if we know the Bible.  Remember that the teacher here is urging the student to know wisdom - the knowledge and understanding that comes from seeing the world as God sees it.  When we read His Word we KNOW the truth.  But when we learn to think according to His wisdom - to reason, to consider and discern things by His Word - then we will know not just the truth itself, but also the certainty of it - the truth that the truth is the truth. 

Please stay with me until I finish this argument.  We not only need to know Scripture - but we also need to know how to reason by it and defend it.  Do not misunderstand what I am saying - God's Word IS the truth.  But as we walk through this world filled with its deceptions and lies - we are going to need to be certain of the truth.  We WILL face opposition to our beliefs from the world that is around us.  I live in the college town and know from dealing with students who have had professors attempt to destroy their faith that there is a need to be able to defend the truth in your mind - and at times - openly to others.  This will not come by reading a little devotional each day - and having a few moments of prayer at meals.  This comes by speanding time thinking, considering, and learning to reason and discern as God's Word directs.  It means knowing God - spending time with Him in intimate fellowship so that you can know the conterfeits and lies that will seek to draw you away from Him.  The teacher/father knows this - and that is why he is calling his student/son to know wisdom.  For when he knows wisdom and has a functioning worldview that operates according to God's wisdom - he will know the certainty of the Word of God.

The second reason he makes this call is given in the last half of this verse.  "That you may correctly answer him who sent you?"  The Hebrew here can honestly go one of two ways - as this is a little difficult to translate.  Yet either way is very helpful to us.  One way to translate this is that we are correctly answering the one who has sent us out.  What this is promoting is accountability.  We are sent out by God - or by an authority who is under Him - and in the end we will have to give an answer.  The word "correctly" here gives the idea of returning truth to someone.  Thus, as we are sent out to live a godly life, we are going to be accountable for the truth that has been given to us.  Godly wisdom is crucial to this responsibility.  We can return the truth we have been given - which basically would mean that we give an account of how we have lived by God's truth in life - and in making moral and spiritual choices.  Knowing wisdom will mean being faithful to God - and therefore doing well as we are accountable to Him or to those He has placed over us to lead and guide us.

The other way this second phrase could be understood is in the context of living in the world - and giving an account for our faith.  Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 3:14-16  when he says, ". . . and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame."  We need to be ready to answer those who "send for us," or who basically call for us to answer their questions about our faith, about our Lord, and about why we live the way we do.  This is somewhat of a call to know apologetics - or being able to share the reason you believe.  Wisdom will give this to you.  You may answer with truth the questions that are posed about your relationship with God. 

We are called to know wisdom - to know God's wisdom.  This is a call to be able to think, consider, discern, and reason according to what God says in His revelation of Himself - in the Word of God.  As we heed this call God will instruct us and help us gain wisdom.  And as we learn to apply this wisdom in a way that will help us build a godly, Christ-centered, Bible-based worldview and way of living - we will find that we become very confident of our faith - of the truth itself.  One of the things our world desperately needs is beleivers who know what they believe, why they believe it, and Whom their belief helps them to know.  May we be among those who not just hear the call to God's wisdom - but who realize we need it - heed it - and are blessed because of it.
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Thank God for the Confidence of Godly Kidneys!

5/8/2011

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Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26

Sudden fear, dread, terror that comes suddenly - all these are things that wisdom will protect us from in our lives.  Now please do not misunderstand that this passage is not saying that bad things will never happen to good people.  We all know that we've grieved over godly people who have been killed in car accidents and in other disasters.  But what is promised here is that the godly - those who build their lives on wisdom - who are guided by the north star of God's Word - will not have the "onslaught of the wicked" when they are punished for their wickedness. 

Let me quote several passages of Scripture to help us grasp this concept of the Word.  Psalm 121 tells us of the protective care of the Lord.  Verses three and four are especially comforting to us.  "He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep."  (Psalm 121:3-4)  God promises great peace and protection to those whose lives are guided by His wisdom.  But for the wicked God promises that this thing called, sudden terror and sudden fear will come upon them.  Proverbs 1:26-27 speaks of a "dread" that comes upon the wicked.  It says that dread, calamity, and distress will come like a storm and like a whirlwind.  Then again in Psalm 49 we read of the foolish and those who approve their foolish words this terrifying statement made by the Lord, "As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation." (Psalm 49:14) 

The above passages instruct us as to the end of the foolish who ignore and mock God's wisdom and Word.  They will have a sudden end that will overtake them.  In Psalm 73 David struggled with why the wicked often seem to have it so good in their lives here on the earth.  He came to the point of almost losing his faith and betraying others who followed God with all their hearts.  Then he said that he came into the sanctuary and saw the latter end of these who walk in wickedness and foolishness.  He spoke of how suddenly they fall and are destroyed.  No matter how good anyone has it here on the earth, they will one day face God in the judgment.  No matter how awesome they have it now - there is a latter end for them when all their deeds will follow them to that place of ultimate payback or reward.  The wicked who will not turn from their sinful ways will face this ultimate dread - but the godly who order their ways according to God's wisdom will not have this happen to them. 

We are told in verse 26 that Jehovah will be our "confidence."  The Hebrew word for "confidence" here is fascinating because of what is points to spiritually.  The word is "kesel" and it means a sense of confidence and security.  It also points to an area of the body - the midsection or specifically the area where our kidneys are located.  The reason this is fascinating is because in Leviticus 3:4,10,15; Leviticus 4:9 and Leviticus 7:4 this exact same word is used of sacrifices that were made before God.  In Leviticus 3 it is used of the peace offering that was made before God.  In Leviticus 4 it was the sin offering and in chapter 7 it spoke of the guilt offering.  When we consider this word and its usage it paints a beautiful picture for us of what Christ does for us.  These were all pictures of how these sacrifices would take care of sin and promise peace to those who confessed their sin and brought them to God for a payment for that sin.  They were all precursors of what Jesus Christ would do through His death and resurrection.  Thus the idea here is that our confidence is not in ourselves but rather in our Lord.  That is exactly what this verse says - that Jehovah will be our confidence. 

We are also told that our foot will not be caught in the snares of the wicked - in the things which their lifestyles bring upon them.  Our foot will be firmly planted on a rock - the Rock Christ Jesus.  We will have our lives firmly planted in the Word of God - which is the rock upon which the house that did not fall was built.  The sand of the world system and its shifting views of truth and godliness will not stand in that day.  Instead they will face the sudden fear and sudden onslaught of God's judgment in the end.  But for those of us who love the Lord and live according to His wisdom, our ultimate fears are gone - taken away by the grace of God and the "kidneys of Jesus Christ" which were offered on our behalf as a peace offering, a guilt offering, and a sin offering which brings us into God's favor and protection.  Learn to delight, not in yourself and your own strength, but rather in God who freely has given us forgiveness and grace in Christ Jesus our Lord!
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    Proverb a Day

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