Those that love God also honors Him. When He gives us wisdom, we are grateful to know where we stand and how to walk differently, through Him. No matter if our heart is wicked, we allow the Lord to change us. It is said that 1“he that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.” To fear God is to honor Him and do as He says. When we instead deny His counsel, we become perverse in our own ways. 1“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” It is wise to come to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy. This way we are able to depart from our wickedness. It is foolish to deny these opportunities and to stay confident in ourselves instead of God. 1“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” With every foolish action, there is a consequence. To mock the importance of repentance for the forgiveness of sins will lead to a person’s downfall and folly. All this stems from a person’s pride. 1“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Because of pride, many people deny their chance to repent and come to God. However, it does not mean that they have not been convicted of the truth. Most have but still would rather live their own lives. To these people, I pray that they have a change of heart. 1“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Everything in this life is temporary. It does matter what we do in life. And what is really going to help us is our time with God. Seek the Lord’s goodness for only He can change our lives and help us make better choices. Do not deny God’s hand of deliverance. Because if you do, and then die, there will be wrath in judgement. 1“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” These people may have hated the preacher and His message of hope but everything they seek is for not. Because their knowledge is on shaky ground, they perish in their unbelief. 1“A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.” They may be laughing now but it will soon become sadness. Nothing good lasts forever unless it is found in the Lord. 1“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” In judgement, the willful sinner and unbeliever will be found guilty and thrown into hell fire. And this warning is for the backslider as well. Those that come to know and believe in Jesus Christ, but have since fallen off track, will also be found guilty in judgement, If they also die in their sins. 1“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” As Christians, we are satisfied, because of the love of God in our lives. The Lord God fulfills us in every way possible. We count it all joy to be washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I am grateful for Your forgiveness. Thank You for changing my wicked heart and lifting me up to know You. I was so foolish, for so many years of my life. Pride was a big part of it. Because I thought I was wise in my own eyes, Your counsel did not mean anything. For this reason, sin was a big part of my life. My mind was clouded and I could not see the difference between right and wrong. And even when I did, I justified my action. I would say that I could better myself tomorrow. Nobody knows anyways. Oh how foolish my actions were. To think that I could have died and been lost forever, makes me feel so grateful that You have persevered my life, God. Yes Lord, You still had confidence in me, though my heart was far from You. Thank You for bringing me to a point where I was broken and had nowhere else to turn. This led me to find You in prayer. Though I thought there could never be any more mercy for me, You showed it anyways. When I thought I was too wicked for Your love, Your grace covered me. For once in my life, I found true forgiveness and kindness. It is because of You Lord that I am cleansed. I am renewed in Your blood, Jesus. Thank You for Your Mercy, Lord. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Proverbs 14:1-18 (KJV)
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
