Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Proverbs 10:22 says, The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.  Again, I don't believe that this is speaking about being rich materially, as many people may teach, but being spiritually blessed.  When we are obedient to God's word, we will never feel that we are lacking in anything.  Verse twenty-three states, It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. Some people seem to delight in doing evil things and speaking evil words.  We are told that if we have wisdom, which comes from our relationship with God, that we will not be like them.  There should be a difference between the way God's people speak and act and the way those who do not follow God speak and act.  Verse twenty-four declares, The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.  Matthew Henry says that this means that even if the wicked prosper, they will still live in fear deep inside.  I believe there will be the fear of losing what they have materially and the fear of death, which at best would lead to uncertainty.  Since the righteous should only desire what God provides for them, it will be granted.  Verse twenty-five states, As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.  Those things that the wicked accumulate and value will eventually be blown away.  If we have built our lives in righteousness, or a right relationship with God through Christ, our lives are built on an everlasting foundation and can never be blown away or otherwise destroyed.  Verse twenty-six declares, As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.  The sluggard, those who would do as little as possible, should be just as painful as smoke in the eyes to those that they are supposed to be working for.  As followers of Christ, we should do our best to meet and exceed what is expected of us on our jobs.  Verse twenty-seven says, The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.  I don't believe that this means that obeying God's word always leads to a long life in this world, but following God's will should eliminate a lot of stress and worry, which can lead to longer life.  Still, ultimately our lives are everlasting if we accept the gift of salvation.  Though the soul of the wicked will live on, their days of any kind of pleasant life will not.  Verse twenty-eight says, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.  As followers of Christ, the righteous, we should live in gladness.  We already know the ultimate outcome.  Verse twenty-nine says, The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.   Our faith in Christ, which should lead us to walk by His guidance, gives us strength to face all the cares and concerns of the world.  Since nothing can take away our salvation, we should walk in the strength of our faith.  Verse thirty declares, The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.  As just stated, nothing can separate, or remove us, from Christ.  The wicked not inhabiting the earth refers to the world after Christ returns.  Verse thirty-one says, The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.  The just, those who have accepted salvation through Christ, will speak with the wisdom of God.  The wisdom that we speak with should glorify God and lead people to Him.  Verse thirty-two adds, The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.  This just continues to point out that what we say matters.  We should not sound like those who are not followers of Christ.  Our speech should certainly never lead anyone away from Christ, nor should it dishonor God.

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