Thursday, September 20, 2012

Consequences

 

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
       they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge
       and did not choose to fear the Lord,
30 since they would not accept my advice
       and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
       and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
       and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
       and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

—The words of King Solomon from Proverbs 1:28-33

 

Throughout the Book of Proverbs, King Solomon consistently presents contrasts. The Scripture passage at the beginning of this blog post is no exception.

In verse 28, notice how Solomon ends this opening chapter of Proverbs with words directly from God:

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer...”

Solomon describes a whole series of behaviors that result in God turning His back on the sinfulness of those He desires to love. Improper behavior has consequences. Persistent, unrepentant sin has consequences. While God remains always ready to forgive those who confess their sin, repent of their sin, make restitution for their sin, and receive reconciliation and restoration for their sin, He also has demonstrated that He will turn away from persistent sin.

Nevertheless in verse 33, King Solomon ends this first chapter of Proverbs with these hopeful words from God:

“...but whoever listens to me will live in safety
       and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

While “the waywardness of the simple will kill them,” the willingness of those who will listen to God receive a reward of living at ease.

Today, we need to accept the consequences of our behaviors and confess where we have sinned. We can do so with the confidence of knowing God always responds lovingly to those times when we bow in humility before Him and acknowledge the great gift of salvation He has given us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Will you pray with me?

Thank You, God, for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

How we praise You that You are a God of consequences. You punish those who fail to confess and repent of their sins. But, You lovingly forgive those who turn to You and accept the gift of salvation that You freely give.

We desire, O God, to cling to Your love and grace. We revel in Your mercy that gives us a covering of the blood of Your Son for our sins. We rejoice that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to lead us away from our natural, sinful behaviors and into the glorious light along the pathway You have laid out for our lives.

Thank you for the abiding peace of Your great love for us. And, thank You for hearing our prayer in and through the precious Name of Your Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Copyright © 2012 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

 

No comments: