Divine Pay-Off

(Pro 11:31 KJV) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

This is about the character of God.  While it is a glorious truth of the Gospel, that we cannot earn our salvation, God is just and holy.  He rewards those who follow the rules.  

(Heb 11:6 KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This specifically refers to living by faith but speaks to the dependability of God.  

If you pay any attention to all the gods of literature, the pagan gods, they tend to be cruel for no reason but to be cruel.  While God can punish, He does not do it for the jollies.  He does it to pay for sin or to teach a lesson.

So?  We can trust God.  He does not play games.  He is true to His character. 

Not Obvious

(Pro 21:1 KJV) The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Why the emphasis on the “king’s” (4428) “heart” (3820)?  Possibly because we need to be reminded that even those at the top of temporal power are subject to Providence.  This is another difference between the standards of God and the standards of our secular society.  It doesn’t take much of a wake up call to see that the elite in society are not held to the same laws that us common folk are.  Our culture has rejected the ideas of justice and morality that God provided so clearly.  Those of us that don’t have a relative to get us a Get-Out-of-Jail card already can see this clearly.  

This is a reminder that God still “channels”  (6388) the rich and the powerful.  We may not see it.  We probably won’t understand God’s timing.  We will feel let down and deserted at times.  We still have the promise.

So?  Keep in mind that

(Heb 11:1 KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

And have a good day. 

Prep It Up

(Proverbs 1:21 KJV)  She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

Wisdom is present in all areas of life if we listen from the common, “concourse” (noise NASB) (1993) areas to the “gates” (8179) where the elders sit in dignified conversation.  We see similar statements about wisdom at least two other places in Proverbs at 8:1-3 and 9:3.  Strangely enough the same words are used of the seducing adulteress in 9:14.

How do we tell the “cries” (7121) of wisdom from the “words” (sayings NASB) (561) of seduction? 

First, we need to seek wisdom. 

(Hebrews 11:6 KJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Second, we should be calling on the Holy Spirit to lead and teach.

(John 14:26 KJV)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Third, we should be reading and studying to build a foundation for wisdom. 

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

So?  It is time to apply yourself.  Give God some handles to work with in your mind and heart.