Prov. 1
7 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Fools are those who turn their back on God with the thinking that they know best – not God. They say “I will be master over my own soul – mind – will.” This is foolishness and always leads to ruin – eventually.
19- So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
There is nothing wrong with having money and more than you need. BUT if a life is spent in pursuit of it, then the pursuit of it will in and of itself destroy the one who pursues. Greed is always the root of most sin. The heart says – I want this or that to spend it on my own lusts. This is the source of depression – anxiety – a ruined name – and so on. Greed is the first fruit of Pride. Pride is the original sin.
23 -Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
God desires to be know and He will take specific action within you to heal – convict- and teach us about His nature – so that we are prepared to walk with Him in eternity.
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes
I have found that when I sin – that there is a moment before I commit the very act of sin that I push God’s Spirit within me aside and say “No” to Him. I say – I am sufficient for this desire. If I do this long enough and consistently enough – it proves that I am not saved or am in deep backsliding and am in need of repentance. Also – my spiritual growth has ceased and I am no longer in a right relationship with the Lord. He MUST bring chastening into my life, for it is only when I feel that pain that I will walk as I should. Lord – I see my own wickedness and inconsistency. I am looking forward to being at home with you in perfection.
27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you. 28“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Lord Jesus – I know that you are so forgiving and ready to heal the sinner’s deepest inmost parts. Thank you Lord that for me – I am not being laughed at by you. When my trouble comes upon my life, you are there to make is such that I am secure – even in the midst of it. I do not have to fear evil. I know that I do not deserve this great providential care for without you I am a mess – lost in darkness with no hope. Thank you Lord for saving me.