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 Psalm 33:13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.Perhaps no figure of speech represents God in a more gracious light than when he is spoken of as stooping from his throne, and coming down from heaven to attend to the wants and to behold the woes of mankind. We love him, who, when Sodom and Gomorrah were full of iniquity, would not destroy those cities until he had made a personal visitation of them. We cannot help pouring out our heart in affection for our Lord who inclines his ear from the highest glory, and puts it to the lip of the dying sinner, whose failing heart longs after reconciliation. How can we but love him when we know that he numbers the very hairs of our heads, marks our path, and orders our ways? Specially is this great truth brought near to our heart, when we recollect how attentive he is, not merely to the temporal interests of his creatures, but to their spiritual concerns. Though leagues of distance lie between the finite creature and the infinite Creator, yet there are links uniting both. When a tear is wept by thee, think not that God doth not behold; for, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline his ear unto thee; thy prayer can stay his hand; thy faith can move his arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. Oh! then repeat the truth that never tires; No God is like the God my soul desires; He at whose voice heaven trembles, even he, Great as he is, knows how to stoop to me. Daily Light on the Daily Path Numbers 6:27 "So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them."Isaiah 26:13 O LORD our God, other masters besides You have ruled us; But through You alone we confess Your name. Isaiah 63:19 We have become like those over whom You have never ruled, Like those who were not called by Your name. Deuteronomy 28:10 "So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you. 1 Samuel 12:22 "For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. Daniel 9:19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name." Psalm 79:9,10 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake. • Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations in our sight, Vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. 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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