Thoughts for the Day
These verses from Proverbs tell us those who become hardened when they are reproved for wrong doing, will suddenly be destroyed. Also, when righteous people are in authority, people are rejoicing; however, when wicked men rule, the people groan and sigh.
Verse 1 stresses the importance of heeding advice and correction.Many people are stubborn and prideful, so they refuse to be disciplined and continue on in their path of destruction.People who refuse correction bring the wrath of God upon themselves. What is the wrath of God? It is punishment for wrong doing. It is reaping the consequences for the sinful deeds one has committed. When we fail to obey the Word of God, we open ourselves up to the attacks of the devil. When we obey God and walk in faith, we are kept under His umbrella of protection and evil does not rain down on us. However, if we refuse correction, we walk out from under that protection and the devil will pound us with his attacks.
Jeremiah 5:3: O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
If we receive correction when God speaks to us about something we are doing wrong, then we can avoid punishment. If we refuse to obey and continue in our wickedness, then our wickedness and backslidings will produce the circumstances that will show us the need for correction. If we would simply listen to the Lord in the first place, we could avoid the trouble we have created by our disobedience.
Jeremiah 2:19: Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
We can choose to obey God and be blessed, or we can choose to disobey, and reap the consequences that lead to destruction. No matter what our choices are today, they are ultimately creating our future because every choice that we make will either cause us to be blessed or cursed. Another way to put it, is that things will get better or worse for us. All choices have consequences. These consequences will be for our betterment or will work to destroy us. We are also responsible for our choices. The Bible challenges us with this admonition:
Deuteronomy 30:19: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
Messages going forth in our society today have stressed our "right to choose," but have not balanced it with the message that our choices also have consequences (especially in the area of lust and selfishness.) For instance, most movies have glamorized many things that are bad for us and have not generally shown the destructive results of smoking, drinking, adultery, fornication, gambling, abortion, etc.
These things do not often hit home until ----
- A loved one gets lung cancer and is dying.
- A child is killed by a drunk driver.
- Close friends divorce because of the unfaithfulness of a mate .
- A teen is infected with a venereal disease she will have for life.
- A family loses their home because of gambling debts.
- A baby is aborted because of the lust and selfishness of its parents, leaving them struggling with guilt.
If we become hardened and refuse correction, then some choices we make can bring destruction that is beyond remedy as our decisions can destroy us. There is only one hope for those who have made numerous bad decisions and are on the road to destruction. That remedy is to turn to Jesus and repent, and He then will give new life to those who have no hope. God is able to take what Satan means for evil against us and turn it around and bring something good out of a hopeless situation. If we humble ourselves and walk in the fear and respect of God, we can find true riches and honor in this life, according to Proverbs 22: 3-4.
Verse 2 in today's study tells us how a people will rejoice when good people are in positions of authority; and conversely, how people are oppressed under a wicked person's authority. Homes, schools and businesses that have good people in charge create an environment so that all the people are blessed. On the other hand, wicked people who are in charge of institutions cause a lot of misery for all the people around them, because they have bad dispositions and lack morals. Many people have left a good paying job for this reason, taking less money for a job that had good people over them.
Betty Miller shares her daily devotional based on the book of Proverbs. King Solomon, who wrote most of the Book of Proverbs, was endowed with both spiritual and practical wisdom that he received from God. We can have that same wisdom by studying this great book of wisdom and following its advice.
Proverbs 16:16: "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" If you are a new reader you may