Bible League: Living His Word Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.— Proverbs 10:17 ESV Warren Wiersbe began his commentary on the book of Proverbs by admitting his need to completely rely on his wife to navigate directions for any trip they took. He confessed the need to yield to her directions when he was driving, for both knew of his propensity to get lost even a few miles from home! He then asserts what is true for every believer. We need some spiritual navigation to guide us in directions that will enhance and maximize our daily walk with God. Of course, the entirety of Scripture is given for this purpose. But yielding to the proverbs of Solomon, under the guidance of the Spirit of God can add confidence that we are obediently walking in the right direction throughout our spiritual journey. A proverb is a short statement that expresses a general truth to aide in practical godly living. The collection of proverbs given in Scripture, written mostly in Hebraic poetic style, fall under the category of wisdom literature. Through stated comparisons and contrasts, they reveal illustratively fundamental truths for wisely living a godly life. Our proverb for today is at the heart of what the entire book is all about-obedience to declared truths that result in wise living. Chapter 10 begins what Bible teachers call the "proverbs proper." Following nine paragraph-style chapters on wisdom, here is a collection of 32 pithy statements that provide a perspective of wise living from a variety of dimensions. Verse 17, near the middle of this collection, acts like a fulcrum for the chapter. The wise sayings before this verse and those that follow are balanced on a statement that confidently declares that obedience to these words lead "on the path of life." To ignore or disobey these words, not only leads astray from the life God would have for you but would lead others astray also! The fact is that God has given each of us a circle of influence. Be it parent or grandparent, leader or teacher in the church, or co-worker in our job, our lives impact others for good or ill. Indeed, we are also influenced by others. Though we test all truths against the Word of truth, we would do well to heed advice from others who can help us see and overcome issues and shortcomings in our own lives. The choice for godly living is clearly stated from both a positive and negative perspective. If we neglect to obey the facets of godly living we encounter in our lives, we not only bring difficulty and even harm to our own life, but we lead others astray also. The choices we make can determine life for both us and others, for both now and the future. Eleanor Roosevelt pondered the impact of one's choices when she stated: "One's philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility." There is no better source for living wisely in this world today than the Word of God, and we would indeed be wise if we heeded its advice. By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania USA Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 13, 14, 15 Isaiah 13 -- Prophecies against Babylon NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 14 -- God's Merciful Restoration of Israel; Judgment on Assyria and Philistia NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 15 -- Judgment on Moab NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Galatians 6 Galatians 6 -- Bearing One Another's Burdens; Becoming a New Creation NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.Insight Today's pressures make it easy to ignore or forget the lessons of the past. But Paul cautions us to remember the lessons the Israelites learned about God so we can avoid repeating their errors. Challenge The key to remembering is to study the Bible regularly so that these lessons remind us of how God wants us to live. We need not repeat their mistakes! Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Kings 18:43 Go again seven times.Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf when his people are earnest in a matter which concerns his glory. The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God, and never for a moment gave way to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts. Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but "Go again." We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. Faith sends expectant hope to look from Carmel's brow, and if nothing is beheld, she sends again and again. So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment, faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God. She is humbled, but not abashed: her groans are deeper, and her sighings more vehement, but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand. It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord. Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation: deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing. Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching. At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain, and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given, and you shall rise as a prevailing prince to enjoy the mercy you have sought. Elijah was a man of like passions with us: his power with God did not lie in his own merits. If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? Plead the precious blood with unceasing importunity, and it shall be with you according to your desire. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 19:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Acts 14:17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." Psalm 19:2,3 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. • There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Psalm 8:3,4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; • What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 1 Corinthians 15:41,42 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. • So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; Daniel 12:3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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