Hobart Herd – Proverbs 23:12-24:4 – 4-24-20
Today we will look at the wise sayings 11-20 found in Proverbs 23:12-24:4. These second 10 wise sayings brought me back to my youth. I remember in High School envying those who were rebels and did what they wanted. I lived in the controlled environment of a pastor’s home and basically my life revolved around the church. It seemed that those who showed up to school drunk, or high on drugs were the ones that were having all the fun. I struggled to attune my ears to the wise words of knowledge and wisdom that surrounded me in my family and church family. I remember being told as a little child that cigarettes were yucky. So when I was outside one day I found a cigarette but on the ground and ate it. I never ever wanted to touch a cigarette again. I learned that my parent’s knowledge was pretty good!
The second part of the learning process for me was to realize that there was a hope and future in the Lord’s plans for my life that far outweighed the temporary “fun” of the world. My fear and reverence for God and my love for my family and church kept me from so many pitfalls in life. Truly God’s plan for my life has been a rich blessing of love of God, love from friends and family, and the honor of serving in ministry that has eternal purpose. There have been times when I thought, surely having money, a beautiful house, fine cars, etc, would be the best thing to have in this world. However, I have learned that the joy of knowing the Hope and future that God has provided me through trusting and serving the Lord is the only thing on this earth that brings satisfaction. On top of all of that, God has given me the best family, congregation, and community I could ever hope for. Truly 23:17-18 are true: 17 Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. 18 For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed.(NLT)
God’s word for me today is found in 23:26; 26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom.(NLT) God’s call to me today is to continue to give Him my heart and delight in His ways of wisdom. I praise the Lord that He has saved me from any desire to follow the ways of alcohol or drug addiction. I have now seen the end of those ways and wisely know that they will lead to pain and destruction. In 24:1-2, I am reminded of why we don’t envy and desire to be with people who are evil and controlled by the troubles and violence of their ways. Truly a home and life built on wisdom becomes strong through the good sense of God’s Word. The blessings of committing my heart and life to the Lord brings all kinds of precious riches into my life and home!
Father, thank You for protecting me through the years of youthful, foolish thinking. You have kept my life from the deep pitfalls of sinful living, alcohol and addiction. Thank you for leading me in a path of hope and purposeful future that has blessed me for many years. Keep my heart and mind from falling for the lies of sin that make me think that I am missing out on the fun and blessings of this world. Forgive me for not living in the joy of Your salvation, may my heart always seek Your wisdom and Your ways. In Jesus name, Amen! Pastor Rob