PROVERBS 8
Wisdom cries out to those who will listen verse 1- 3
Does not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?
she stands in the top of high places
by the way in the places of the paths
she cries at the gates – at the entry of the city
at the coming in at the doors
Wisdom cries out to all classes of men verse 4- 6
Unto you – O men – I call – and my voice is to the sons of man
O you simple – understand wisdom
and you fools – be you of an understanding heart
Hear for I speak of excellent things
and the opening of my lips shall be right things
Wisdom speaks truth verse 7- 9
FOR my mouth shall speak TRUTH
and wickedness is an abomination to my lips
all the words of my mouth are in righteousness
there is nothing forward or perverse in them
they are all plain to him that understands
and right to them that find knowledge
Wisdom more valuable than precious stones verse 10- 11
Receive my instruction – and not silver
and knowledge rather than choice gold
for wisdom is better than rubies
and all the things that may be desired are not to be
compared to it
Wisdom declares that fear of the LORD is to hate evil verse 12- 16
I wisdom dwell with prudence and find out knowledge of witty inventions
the fear of the LORD is to hate evil
pride – arrogancy – and the evil way
and the forward mouth do I hate
Counsel is mine – and sound wisdom – I am understanding
I have strength
by me kings reign – and princes decree justice
Wisdom will be found by those who seek verse 17- 21
I love them that love me – and those that seek me early shall find me
riches and honor are with me – yea – durable riches and righteousness
My fruit is better than gold – yea – than fine gold
and my revenue than choice silver
I lead in the way of righteousness – in the midst of the paths of judgment
that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance
and I will fill their treasures
Wisdom was before creation of the world verse 22- 31
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of HIS way
before HIS works of old
I was set up from everlasting – from the beginning – or ever the earth was
when there were no depths – I was brought forth
when there were no fountains abounding with water
before the mountains were settled
before the hills was I brought forth
while as yet HE had not make the earth
nor the fields
nor the highest part of the dust of the world
when HE prepared the heavens – I was there
when HE set a compass upon the face of the depth
when HE established the clouds above
when HE strengthened the fountains of the deep
when HE gave to the sea HIS decree
that the waters should not pass HIS commandment
when HE appointed the foundations of the earth
THEN was by HIM – as one brought up with HIM
and I was DAILY HIS delight – rejoicing always before HIM
rejoicing in the habitable part of HIS earth
and my delights were with the sons of men
Wisdom will produce joy in those who follow it verse 32- 36
Now therefore hearken to me – O you children
for BLESSED are they that keep my ways
Hear instruction – and be wise – and refuse it not
BLESSED is the man that hears me
watching DAILY at my gates
waiting at the posts of my doors
for whoso finds me finds LIFE
and shall obtain favor of the LORD
BUT he that sins against me wrongs his own soul
all they that hate me love death
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 Her’ for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. (4339 “right” [meyshar] means uprightness, equity, straightness of way, blameless, or level.)
DEVOTION: Here we find wisdom personified as someone calling to all. Wisdom is calling to everyone who will listen. Godly wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit. The Word of God presents the truths of God to all who will listen. Most of those in our world will not want to hear the voice of wisdom.
Wisdom calls to those who are simple and fools. Again the simple are the ones who need instruction. The fools are those who don’t want instruction. God gives equal access to both groups of individuals. Some of the simple ones will come and listen. Most, if not all, fools will not even think about listening. They have worldly wisdom and are satisfied. God is looking and communicating with those who are not satisfied with worldly wisdom.
Wisdom is speaking noble things to those who will listen. She is speaking truth. All of God’s Word is truth. God never lies.
The question that needs to be answered today is: Are we willing to listen to the Holy Spirit through the Word of God? Many in our churches are not willing to listen. They are looking for a good speaker to entertain them but leave the building without applying any of the truths to their life. Most sermons don’t make it out the door. But also, most of those reading the Bible at home leave for work without remembering what they have read.
It is very important to pick a verse and carry with us throughout the day. Our lifetime goal should be to let wisdom teach us how to improve our walk with the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Allow wisdom from the Holy Spirit to instruct you daily. Share what you have learned today with others.)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them. (6141 “perverse” [`iqqesh] means crooked, forward, twisted, perverted or distorted.)
DEVOTION: The book of Proverbs contrasts those who live by wisdom from the LORD and those who will not. The choice is given to all men.
We all start out as individuals who need wisdom. We all want to find out the truth about our world. Wisdom and truth come only from God. There is a false wisdom that the enemy gives to those who are not following the LORD. This is called “worldly wisdom” in the book of James.
Many who will say to the LORD on judgment day “Have I not …” but the LORD will say depart from me. Why would HE say this to individuals? The reason is that enough wisdom of the presence of God in our universe has been revealed to cause everyone to know that there is a God. They chose to reject this revelation.
Too many are fooled by false teaching in false churches that they are followers of the LORD. Only those who believe in the inerrant Bible are true followers of the LORD. Only those who believe that there is no other way to heaven except through Jesus Christ will be given a place in heaven. Too many pick and choose what they want to believe. We need to believe the whole counsel of God.
We are not to apologize for believing the truth of the Word of God. Sin is sin if the Bible says so. There are some things that the church has done wrong when it has not followed the teaching of the Word of God. But sin is still sin!!!
One thing we need to do with our mouth is to make sure what we say is encouraging and righteous. Even those who sin need to know that God still loves them enough to send HIS Son to die on the cross for them and they need to take their sin to HIM. Jesus Christ death on the cross is the only way to salvation. HE came as our substitute. No other sacrifice would have been accepted for our salvation but the blood of Jesus Christ.
Let us spread the Good News of the gospel to all we meet. Let us not twist the truth of the Bible by watering down God’s message!!!
What do people hear coming from our mouth? Are we spreading sweet truths of the Word of God or sour notes of the world? Our words should always be truthful. Our words should always be Godly.
CHALLENGE: What choice did you make today with your words?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. (4209 “witty inventions” [mazimmah] means discretion, project, scheme, prudence, purpose, counsel, or plan.)
DEVOTION: The wants all those who are genuine believers in HIM to have discernment regarding what is right and wrong in our world. If we are willing to wait on the LORD HE will reveal to us what is going on in the hearts and minds of those who are giving us a hard time.
Our world is full of those who would like to see a believer fall and if he falls want to make sure that he never rises again. The only way that we can combat these types of people is to ask the LORD to give us discernment when we have a choice to make on our own or with the help of others.
The motives of even some believers when they are not in tune with the LORD is to see others give in to sin and then to remind them of their sin every chance they get. We are commanded to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves while we are living in this world. We are commanded to love our brethren. We are commanded to restore those who have fallen.
However, in many places we find that believers are not prudent in their actions. They are discerning in their conversations. Wisdom is crying out today for all believers to be prudent in their words and actions.
Solomon wants his son to gain these characteristics in his life. The LORD wants us to listen to Solomon as he gives us the wisdom that can help us live lives that are pleasing to the LORD.
The world is scheming to cause all believers to fall. The world is looking for every occasion to put road blocks in front of believers to see them disobey the LORD. Sometime even those who we consider believers can cause to walk in the wrong direction in what we say and do.
CHALLENGE: Realize that you and I have to look at the schemes of those would like us to fall and ask the LORD for strength to fight them.
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: 34 Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors (8245 “watching” [shaqad] means be wakeful, keep watch, to be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful, lie in wait for, be intent, or to be sleepless.)
DEVOTION: Solomon is giving advice to his sons but also in his writings he is speaking to all those who are willing to follow the LORD.
This is not just instructing Old Testament saints but also those who are saints today. We can learn from the Old Testament what the LORD expected of those who were HIS children. The children of Israel were given a special place in the Old Testament times as they were the people of God in the world.
Those from other nations had to convert to being a follower of the LORD or they were judged to be those who would spend eternity in hell with the devil and his angels.
Today we have to be followers of Jesus Christ but not in token service but in full service to HIM if we are going to spend eternity in heaven with HIM.
The problem today is that many who are attending churches that are supposed to be preaching the Word of God, they are hearing more music and other things rather than the preaching of the Word of God.
Too many churches are tickling the ears of these who claim Christ rather than challenging them to grow in their knowledge fo the Word of God and prayer. Entertainment seems to be the name of the game today.
People can go to church for coffee and donuts and hear some good music and a short message and think that they have spent time with the LORD but in reality they have just spent time with other people who like to entertained.
God isn’t in the business of entertaining the saints but instructing them in wisdom, so that, they can go out and face a world that is on their way to hell for eternity. We need to be serious about our growth in the LORD through good preaching and good study of the Word of God to reach a lost world.
It is going to be very sad when many who have attended churches that entertain them to find that they have never genuinely become a believer. There will be greater judgment on the pastors and leaders of these churches because they should know what their responsibility was but didn’t do it.
Like a parent that has children that need to become a follower of God who just lets them live their life without preparing them for eternity. Too often just going to church will not cause them to understand the teaching of the Word of God without instructions from parents at home.
CHALLENGE: Parents and pastors are going to answer to the LORD for the lack of instructions they are giving their children or those who attend their church proper instructions for eternity.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
wisdom is crying out verse 1- 36
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Commandment verse 29
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 13, 22, 35
Fear of the LORD verse 13
I love them that love ME verse 17
Those that seek ME early shall find ME verse 17
Possessed righteousness from the beginning verse 22, 23
Creator verse 22- 29
Favor of the LORD verse 35
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Men verse 4
Sons of man verse 4, 31
Simple verse 5
Kings verse 15
Princes verse 15, 16
Nobles verse 16
Judges of the earth verse 16
Children verse 32
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Fools verse 5
Wickedness is an abomination in my lips verse 7
Abomination verse 7
Froward mouth verse 8, 13
Perverse verse 8
Evil verse 13
Pride verse 13
Arrogancy verse 13
Evil way verse 13
Sins verse 36
Hate wisdom verse 36
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Wisdom verse 1- 5, 11, 12, 14- 19, 33
Understanding heart verse 1, 5, 9, 14
Hear excellent things verse 6
Hear right things verse 6
Speak truth verse 7
Words of my mouth righteousness verse 8, 18, 20
Knowledge verse 9, 10, 12
Instruction verse 10
Prudence verse 12
Fear of the LORD verse 13
Hate evil – pride – arrogancy – evil way verse 13
Counsel is mine verse 14
Sound wisdom verse 14
Understanding verse 14
Strength verse 14
Justice verse 15
Seek wisdom verse 15
Riches and honor are with the LORD verse 18
Durable riches verse 18, 21
Righteousness verse 18
Path of judgment verse 20
Inherit substance and fill their treasures verse 21
Blessed are those who keep MY ways verse 32, 34
Hear instruction verse 33
Wise verse 33
Watching daily verse 34
Waiting verse 34
Life verse 35
Favor with the LORD verse 35
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Death verse 36
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QUOTES regarding passage
Ethically. Uprightness as the manner of life is a characteristic of the blameless (Prov 11:5) and of the man of discernment (Ps 119:128, “I have lived uprightly”). Thus the fact that God has made man upright (Eccl 7:29) is probably to be interpreted as granting him the ability to recognize the divine law, rather than some inborn character as honest or straightforward (so neb). It is said of the reckless that his soul is not upright within him (Hab 2:4) and this leads to pride and failure. (Wiseman, D. J. (1999). 930 יָשַׁר. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (417). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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8:12 The third strophe is governed by Wisdom’s claim to “dwell together with prudence” and possess “knowledge and discretion” (v. 12). The word translated “prudence” can be used in a bad sense (“craftiness”—Exod 21:14; Josh 9:4), but in Proverbs it is used in a good sense for “sensible behavior” (1:4; 8:5). The word rendered “discretion” can also mean “evil plans,” but in Proverbs it often refers to careful behavior that arises from clear thinking.159 Wisdom teaches how to live a discreet and careful life as opposed to a reckless one. (Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 107). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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12, 13. These two verses are necessary partners. True wisdom is canny and resourceful (on prudence, or shrewdness, and discretion—av’s witty inventions—see subject-study: Wisdom, 1 (4), p. 35), yet being rooted in the fear of the Lord (13; cf. 1:7) it is free of the faults of worldly wisdom (cf. Matt. 10:16). Notice hate, twice (13), the second time spoken by wisdom. What is repugnant to godliness is repugnant to wisdom: there is no conflict of interests. (Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 73). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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But Wisdom has better gifts to offer than perishable riches—blessings like prudence, knowledge, discretion (“witty inventions,” Prov. 8:12), the fear of the Lord, humility, godly speech, wise counsel, understanding, guidance on life’s path, strength for the journey, and “durable riches.” A life that’s enriched by God may be poor in this world’s goods, but it is rich in the things that matter most. It’s good to enjoy the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money can’t buy. What Wisdom has to offer can’t be purchased anywhere, no matter how rich you are. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Skillful (p. 28). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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12. Wisdom first speaks warnings (1:24 note), next promises (2:1 note); but here she neither promises nor threatens, but speaks of her own excellence. “Prudence” is the “subtilty” (see marg.), the wiliness of the serpent (Gen. 3:1), in itself neutral, but capable of being turned to good as well as evil. Wisdom, occupied with things heavenly and eternal, also “dwells with” the practical tact and insight needed for the life of common men. “Witty inventions” are rather counsels. The truth intended is, that all special rules for the details of life spring out of the highest Wisdom as their source. (Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Lamentations & Ezekiel. (F. C. Cook & J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (p. 30). London: John Murray.)
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How adorable is the Being here before us! His glorious perfections, each dwelling with the other in such harmonious combination! All the witty inventions of science, are ultimately traceable to this heavenly source. But his great mind was soaring far beyond. Now before his eyes was the vast discovery of man’s salvation,8 found out, not by laborious investigation, but by the intuition of the Infinite God-head. Here is his most splendid display of wisdom dwelling with prudence—wisdom contriving for the highest end; prudence directing the most effective means. The same perfect combination controls all his arrangements, both as “the Head of the Church,” and “the Head over all things to his Church,”11 for her present good, and his eternal glory. And what owe we individually, to “the riches of his grace, wherein”—by the removal of insuperable difficulties, and the communication of suitable grace—“he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence!”
Prudence is commonly thought to be only a moral quality. Here we see it to be an attribute of Deity. The humanity of our beloved Lord was filled with this perfection. With what Divine acuteness of wisdom did he find out the knowledge of the inventions of his enemies, and put them to shame! And how did this combination of prudence restrain him from hasty confidence, remove him from premature danger, and preserve him from giving needless offence!2 Praised be our God for such “treasures of wisdom” hid in “our glorious Head,” ready for distribution for every emergency of his people’s need! (Bridges, C. (1865). An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (pp. 66–67). New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.)
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Ver. 12. I Wisdom dwell with Prudence, &c.] Here Wisdom begins to speak in her own person, and continues to do so unto the end of the chapter; or Christ describes himself, pencils out and draws his own picture, and a most lovely one it is. In this clause Christ is described by the habitation in which he dwells, I Wisdom inhabit Prudence; so the words may be rendered; that is the house in which I dwell: or by his companion with whom he dwells, with Prudence; that is my companion with whom I am familiarly conversant. The phrase, taken both ways, shews that Christ is very largely, yea, fully possessed of prudence; as a man that dwells in a house is the proprietor and possessor of it, so prudence is Christ’s; it belongs to him, he enjoys it; he dwells in prudence, and prudence dwells in him; all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in him, and the spirit of wisdom rests upon him: and also it shews that prudence is natural to him, and not adventitious; it does not come from abroad, nor does he go abroad for it; he and Prudence are as it were born and brought up together in one and the same house: and likewise that there is an intimacy and familiarity between them; Prudence is most present with Christ, is always near him, and ready at hand to be exercised by him; as it was when he was incarnate on earth; he dealt prudently, as it was prophesied he should, Isa. 52:13 which appeared in his disputation with the doctors in the temple at twelve years of age; by his prudent answers to the insnaring questions of his enemies; and throughout the whole of his ministry, both as to the manner and matter of it; and particularly at the time of his seizure, arraignment, trial, and crucifixion. Or by prudence may be meant prudent men, such as are possessed of this quality or virtue, and with such Wisdom, or Christ, dwells; not with the wise and prudent of this world; nor with such who are so in their own conceit; but with such who are sensible of their folly; who are humbled under a sense of sin, and are made wise unto salvation; who believe in Christ, which is a point of the highest prudence; and who walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; such as these have the presence and company of Christ. And find out knowledge of witty inventions; the word מזמות is sometimes used in an ill sense, and is rendered wicked devices, ch. 12:2; Psal. 37:7 and may be taken in this sense here. Christ, who is God omniscient, knows all that is in the hearts of men; all their thoughts, schemes, and devices; he found out, he scented the knowledge of them when here on earth; he was privy to the secret thoughts and wickedness of men’s hearts; he knew all the hypocritical designs and views of the Pharisees, when they tempted him with insnaring questions; he was apprised of all the ways and methods they devised to take away his life before the time, and so escaped them; he found out the knowledge of Judas’s wicked scheme to betray him, and spoke of it to him and others before it was executed; and he knew all the wicked devices and stratagems of Satan against himself, in tempting him in the wilderness, and in putting it into the heart of Judas to betray him; and he knows all his wiles and artful schemes to decoy his people, and makes them known unto them, so that they are not ignorant of his devices. Moreover, it may be understood and interpreted in a good sense, of the thoughts, devices, and purposes of God’s heart, as in Jer. 23:20 and 51:11 and particularly as relating to man’s redemption and salvation: this is a device or invention of God; sin is man’s invention, by which he fell; but the recovery of man is the invention of God; he found out the persons to be saved in his eternal decrees; and the person that should be the Saviour of them in his council and covenant, and appointed him for the work; and he found out the way and manner of saving men by him, even by the ransom and sacrifice of himself: and this is a witty invention, wherein God has abounded in all wisdom and prudence; as appears by pitching upon so proper a person to be the Saviour as his own son; by bringing it about in a way so agreeable to all his perfections, to the satisfaction of his justice, and the honour of his law; and in making such partakers of it, and in such a way, as most glorifies the riches of his grace. And this scheme Christ has full knowledge of, being in the bosom of his Father, as one brought up with him; and was the Angel of the great council, and present when the design was formed; and besides he has found it to his cost, even at the expense of his precious blood; and so has obtained, or found redemption for us, as the phrase is in Heb. 9:12 and having found it, and the knowledge of it, he makes it known to others by his spirit, word, and ministers. Likewise these witty inventions may be interpreted of the whole Gospel, and the doctrines of it; the Gospel is an invention, not of men, but of God; not a scheme and device of men, but of God; it is not taught by men, and learned of them, or of them only, but of God; and a witty one it is, it is the wisdom of God, the manifold wisdom of God, though esteemed foolishness by men. This Christ, has found out the knowledge of; he has full and perfect knowledge of it, it is hid in him; it came and was preached by him, as it never was before or since; and he communicated, and still does communicate the knowledge of it; and blessed are they that know the joyful sound! (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, pp. 378–379). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Patience is not an ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting (Thanks Vince)
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THE CROSS HUMBLES US
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:7
It is the cross of Christ that brings us all down to the same place. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The differences between nations and groups within them and individuals are nothing when you look at the cross of Christ. We are all miserable, helpless, hopeless sinners.
There is nothing in which we can boast. As the apostle puts it in Philippians 3:7-9, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom,” he says, “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Once you really see this message of the cross, you see yourself groveling on the dust and the floor, a miserable failure, a hopeless sinner. You can do nothing, and neither can your neighbor; you are together in your complete helplessness and hopelessness. But thank God it does not leave you there. You both look up together into the face of the one and only Savior, the Savior of the world, “the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” He is not only the Savior of the western world. He is also the Savior of the Iron Curtain. He can save Communists as well as He can save capitalists.
A Thought to Ponder: We are all miserable, helpless, hopeless sinners.
(From The Cross, pp. 147-148, by Dr. Martyn Lliyd-Jones)
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Born to Die
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Especially as noted in the gospel of John, Christ identified many reasons why He had been born. Consider the following sampling of verses and references. First and foremost, Christ came to redeem those who would believe: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But under that umbrella of redemption come many other aspects.
Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). God’s will was paramount even in judgment (John 5:30) as well as resurrection. “This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40). It also governed His teaching (7:16-17). In everything, Christ sought to bring glory to His Father (7:18).
Many aspects of Christ’s work are to be realized in this life, for He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). His desire in it all was that we might have an eternal relationship with God. “That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
But the primary goal was to bring to climax His redemptive strategy. He knew that none of the other aspects of His work had any effect without atonement for sin, which was only possible if a blood sacrifice was made for that sin. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). This was the reason He came to Earth. (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Rest with Us
“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
The Christians in the young church at Thessalonica, very soon after accepting Christ, underwent severe “persecutions and tribulations” (v. 4). The apostle Paul wrote to commend them that God had thus judged them to be “counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer” (v. 5). That is, the kingdom of God was being persecuted when they were persecuted, and God would certainly repay their tormentors in kind. The believers’ tribulations were from men. Those who were being troubled would receive “rest with us” from God (“rest” here is a noun, not a verb).
The Thessalonians must realize, however, that this righteous recompense—at least in its full measure—must await the return of the Lord Jesus. They must resist the temptation to repay their persecutors in kind if the opportunity should come. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). They must simply continue to “endure” and “suffer,” so that “our God would count you worthy of this calling, and . . . That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 11-12).
The Lord Jesus Himself is our example, “that ye should follow his steps: . . . Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21, 23).
“In the last days . . . all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:1, 12), and latter-day Christians may very well have opportunity to put this ancient counsel to the Thessalonians into present practice. If so, may God give us the grace to endure as they endured! (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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The coming of the Lord will be instantaneous, and we should be ready!
INSIGHT
Many people who claim to believe in God have never made a commitment to Him. They say that at the end of their lives they will accept Jesus as Savior, preferring instead to live as they please rather than bowing to His claims. In their deceived minds, they have outwitted God and had it both ways. This is extremely foolish and very dangerous. Such people rarely get more spiritually sensitive in their old age. In fact, they often become more resistant to the Lord. Also, we never know when we will die. An accident might take us before we can repent. Or the Lord could come at any minute, and it would be too late. The coming of the Lord will be like “a thief in the night” (v. 2). (QuietWalk)
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MARKS OF A PERSON OF THE SPIRIT
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
The greatest test is that the true Spirit always glorifies Christ. Christ is always in the center; He is always given the preeminence. And the true prophet is not the man who talks about experiences and visions and what he has done and seen, but about Christ. And when you have heard Him you do not say, “What a wonderful man”; you say, “What a wonderful Savior!” You do not say, “What a wonderful experience this man has had”; you say, “Who is the Man of whom the Spirit is speaking?” The attraction is to Christ; the Spirit glorifies Christ.
I now mention what I believe to be the perfect balance in this matter. “God,” said Paul to Timothy “hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). This is discipline, balance. The man who has the Holy Spirit is the man who always manifests balance and proportion. “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18); there is power and balance, but no excess. Speak one at a time, says Paul to the people of Corinth. “But,” they say, “we cannot. Isn’t that quenching the Spirit?” “No,” says Paul; “let all things be done…in order” (see 1 Corinthians 14:40). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of order, not of disorder. Doctrine and love are required; experience and power, intellect and mind—the whole person is involved and functions as this perfectly balanced body with no schism, with no rivalry and competition, but with the whole manifesting and ministering unto the glory of the Lord and Sa vior, Jesus Christ. Make sure the Spirit of God is in you, and then make sure that it is the Spirit of God and not some false, evil spirit to whom you are listening.
A Thought to Ponder: The greatest test is that the true Spirit always glorifies Christ.
(From The Love of God, p. 24, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Man to Man
I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. PROVERBS 4:11
When each of our sons, Benjamin and Samuel, graduated from high school, I treated them to one of the most unusual breakfasts they had ever enjoyed.
It was a simple meal held in a local hotel meeting room. Also in attendance were some men who wanted to help Barbara and me send each of these young men off to college with some godly advice. Man to man.
Each man talked about what he wished someone had shared with him before he started college. They talked frankly about the challenges and temptations our boys would face, and they exhorted them to grow spiritually, intellectually and morally.
At Samuel’s breakfast, for example, Bob Lepine, my friend and co-host on FamilyLife Today, recalled that when he attended college, his goal was to earn a high grade-point average. But he challenged Samuel to focus on growing in character and wisdom. Bob said that after college, “people look at the mark of a man’s life, what his reputation is in the community. Grade points aren’t the issue. The issue is learning what God
Another man in the room that day was Bill Bright, president and founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. “I would like to recommend more than anything else, Samuel, that you master this Holy Word,” he said. “Every day I get on my knees to read this Word, because it was inspired by God. It is living.”
Now, 10 years later, I’m encouraged to see how both of my sons took the advice of those godly men. Third John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” From this dad’s standpoint, my heart soars to see what fine men Ben and Samuel have become. (Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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