Series in Proverbs - Look Out!

 

Look Out!

Proverbs 3:21-26

Have you ever been trapped into someone’s else's drama? It seems that its claws are sinking deeper into your everyday affairs, your relationships, and especially your time with God. Your time has been abducted by the urgency of someone else’s foolish decisions and choices.

Such was the life of the judge/king, Solomon. He had to advocate between many various cases that usually derived from acts of foolishness or deception, or the malicious acts against the poor and widows. So let’s pick up where we left off from the last lesson, and read the first portion of the text. “My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.They are like jewels on a necklace.They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”

Again, Solomon is exhorting his children to not lose sight of common sense and discernment, to stay on the safe path. It was very easy to let some other’s affairs or drama lead to their own deriding, the results from lack of common sense. As well, the lack of discernment usually brings catastrophe, and suffering for all involved. One of Solomon’s most famous adjudications was between two women and the death of an infant and a second infant that lived. “One day two women came to King Solomon, and one of them said: Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. Not long ago my baby was born at home, and three days later her baby was born. Nobody else was there with us. One night while we were all asleep, she rolled over on her baby, and he died. Then while I was still asleep, she got up and took my son out of my bed. She put him in her bed, then she put her dead baby next to me. In the morning when I got up to feed my son, I saw that he was dead. But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he wasn't my son. “No!” the other woman shouted. “He was your son. My baby is alive!” “The dead baby is yours,” the first woman yelled. “Mine is alive!” They argued back and forth in front of Solomon, until finally he said, “Both of you say this live baby is yours. Someone bring me a sword.” A sword was brought, and Solomon ordered, “Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have part of him.” “Please don't kill my son,” the baby's mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don't kill him.” The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.” Solomon said, “Don't kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.” Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly.” (1 Kings 3:16:28)

It was discernment and common sense that kept Solomon from being enveloped by this drama and catastrophe, and he gave an apt verdict for the mother of the live infant, who didn’t desire to see more death but to keep her child alive, safe and sound.

Second, Solomon again speaks of the need for the treasures of God, for they were as precious as fine jewels that adorn those who seek God’s wisdom. And it, wisdom, will keep the one who fears God from stumbling into the path of foolishness and injury, being led in a safe and level path free from the obstacles of drama and imprudence, and having their souls refreshed by God’s clear guidance.

Third, the person who chooses to fear God and to seek His approval, counsel, and wisdom will slumber soundly, knowing that they have chosen to use common sense and discernment, the treasures of God.

Application - I have been in the situation where someone asks me to intervene in a situation that they have gotten themselves involved in. It became ugly and and how I had had the wisdom to direct them to another who was more skilled and adept to solve the problem. The police say that the most dangerous call to respond to is a domestic squabble, for it is truly uncertain what has transpired will not explode into a violent and deadly scene. 

I come back to Jesus’ teachings on one man whose family was arguing over an inheritance. Jesus aptly told them, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:11-14 NKJV) Jesus had just told the listeners that they need to trust the Holy Spirit when brought into a dispute, for He would give them the words to speak.  There is common sense (wisdom) and discernment. Second, let us again hold onto the treasures that God will provide for us. Let us treasure the things of God that no amount of money can buy. 

As we trust in God, walk according to the Spirit, there is safety, an uncommon peace that only Jesus can give, and the Holy Spirit will guide us in a safe path, the reassures and refreshes us and our souls, and keep us from being entangled in the dramatic affairs of the world, that will try and make us stumble and falter in our walk with God.

If there is one constant treasure that I appreciate most dearly, it is a good night’s sleep. For if you get entangled in the world’s affairs, it will rob you of the rest that your spirit, body, and mind need. Sound sleep is a wondrous treasure that people don’t realize until they are fitfully and sporadically tossing and turning, looking for the sound respite, but only to have their minds and hearts encumbered with the cares of the world. Let us seek the wisdom of God in all areas of our lives and use common sense and discernment in all aspects of our lives.

Lastly, Solomon is reassuring his children and all who will read and hear the proverbs, that fear of the unknown and of a catastrophic event that has not yet happened and was not of their making, this type of anxiety can and should be avoided. So let’s read the final portion of the text. “You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” 

For Solomon understood the need to seek God in counsel, just as his dad, David did in his battles against Israel’s enemies. “David asked the Lord, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you let me win?” The Lord told David, “Attack! I will let you win.” (2 Kings 5:19)

For destruction follows the way of the depraved, foolish, and the wicked. Disaster and calamity usually happen quickly, and the wicked fail and fall in their wickedness and drama, and who have initiated and propagated it. But for the person who trusts in the Lord’s counsel, doesn’t live in fear but walks in the safe path, there is security. And the risks of disaster and traps of the enemy are avoided and soundness of common sense and discernment will lead and adorn the person who fears the Lord. Solomon must have heard the stories of his father, David as a young man in Saul’s house and under his reign of Israel. It didn’t take long to know that living in a house where the head of the house throws spears at you at the dinner table, it was time to leave and seek God for a place of refuge and security. David had learned fearing God meant that God was watching over him and he was not to fear man, as he demonstrated against Goliath. 

Solomon also understood that various kingdom rulers were not to be trusted or feared, for their ways always led to destruction and wickedness, and their tongues were a trap. As well as the wanton woman clamoring for love, or joining her in the worshipping of her idolatry and harlotry. 

He wanted his children to use wisdom and not get involved in drama or disputes, but avoid them and keep their feet away from the traps that lead to death. 

Application -  Again the teachings in the Old Testament are heralded by Jesus and the apostles. Paul stated “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT) (self control ESV, sound mind KJV) We are not to fear as the world, for their strength, hope, and love come from man and not from God. For we live in a fallen world that is ruled by the enemy of God, and he too fears, he fears the God in whom we follow and belong, our Lord Jesus Christ. Sudden disasters and calamity are daily news in our world today. And for those who do not trust in God and lean on their finite understanding, will fall, they will stumble over the Truth, the absolute, infinite and eternal Truth.

We need to take Solomon’s exhortations, warnings, and admonitions to heart. The Lord is our strength. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1 NKJV)

God is our security, God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” (Psalms 46:1-3 NKJV)

David gave his son, Solomon, great counsel through the Psalms, and now it speaks to us. If we would adhere to the Truth of God, we would have nothing to fear when the world is coming apart and everything seems to be falling apart. Jan Markel speaks this word of wisdom, “The World is not falling apart, but it is falling into place.” God has given us His Word and its prophecies, and promises to those who will listen and obey Him. But to those who ignore the eternal Truth, or change it for the lie of relativism,  subjectivism, moral relativism, or ethical relativism.

The world has many traps that are cleverly laid out to entrap and ensnare the simple, naive, and foolish. But it also entangles those who don’t realize their lostness to sin, the rationality of the mortal mind is a razor thin line between the rational and irrational. 

In order to understand and use wisdom, common sense, and discernment, one must know God, trust God, and walk in His ways, the safe path of salvation through His Son. As John wrote in his gospel, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 NKJV)

This is the holy week, the week of Jesus trial, death, and resurrection. Will you put your trust in Him for salvation, walk in common sense, and use Godly discernment, all of this comes from the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. Happy Resurrection Day.

As always, I want to end with presenting the gospel in the form of the ABC’s of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation. For Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I have revised my webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. Thank you. 

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com