~
Lessons From
Proverbs 21 ~
God
does not want His children living in fear.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of
Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to
life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3). However,
God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him. We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear
God.”
This Week’s Passage ~ “My son, if you receive my [wisdom] words
[1], and
treasure my commands within you [2], so that you incline your ear to wisdom [3], and
apply your heart to understanding [4]; yes, if you cry out for discernment [5], and
lift up your voice for understanding [6], if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures
[7]; then
you will understand the fear of the Lord, and
find the knowledge of God. For
the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores
up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the
paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness
and justice,
equity and every good path” (Proverbs 2:1-9).
Important
Points ~ There are a number of important points in this
short passage including, but not limited to:
[1]
You cannot receive God’s Word if you are
not reading and studying God’s written Word the Bible.
[2]
Allow the Word of God to penetrate your
thinking, conscience, and action.
[3] Really listen to the wisdom from above.
[4] The goal is application. How can you apply what you are learning?
[5] Spend time alone with God in prayer seeking
His guidance.
[6] Be specific in asking God for direction in
specific situations you face.
[7] Be observant of how God is directing and working.
Summary ~ Seek
wisdom! That is seek God’s face and His
direction in all of your life’s activities.
Fearing God Results in Salvation ~ “It is
a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews
10:31). “A wise
person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident”
(Proverbs 14:16).
This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life
which reverences God and seeks to do His will.
Fearing God Results in
Fearlessness ~ “The Lord
is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord
is the strength of my life; of whom shall
I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). The answer is: only God. With the gift of salvation comes
responsibility.
Fearing God Results in Witnessing ~ “Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will declare
what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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