Bible Pathways 07/27/2003
July 27
Read Proverbs 27 -- 31
In Today's Reading:
Advice to the wise; Agur's confession of his faith; the words of King Lemuel; praise of a good wife
If we love someone, we want to be with them and to know what pleases them so that we can develop a lasting relationship. We also want to know what they dislike so that we can avoid actions that would displease them. Surely, this should also be an important consideration in our relationship with our Lord.
God said: Whoso keepeth the Law is a wise son. . . . He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be abomination (Proverbs 28:7,9). Why should God be interested in what we have to say if we are not interested in reading what He has to say in His Guide for successful living? If we want God to listen to us when we pray, then it is important to read and abide by all of His qualifications for acceptable prayer.
The Apostle John reminded believers: If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:21-22). But, we can't keep all His Commandments if we don't read all of His Word to know what they are.
Strange as it may seem, some people talk of "biblical principles," but see no need to read all of the Bible in order to know what God's biblical principles are. They pray for solutions to life's problems, but they fail to go to the one place where God provides the answers to them.
Why is there such widespread failure among Christians to read all of the Bible? Do they assume that, like the unregenerate world, their own "good judgment" can take the place of the wisdom of our Creator?
The prophet Jeremiah exposed the popular preachers of his day, saying: Behold, the Word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it (Jeremiah 6:10). The Lord further declared through His prophet: I will bring evil . . . because they have not hearkened unto My words, nor to My Law, but rejected it (6:19). Throughout history, God has rejected His people when, after long-suffering on His part, they continued to refuse His guidance. Without a doubt, God was heartbroken when He said to the prophet Hosea: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) — knowledge they had chosen to ignore.
Jesus emphasized the necessity of obedience to His Word, saying: If ye keep (obey) My Commandments, ye shall abide (remain) in My love; even as I have kept My Father's Commandments, and abide in His love (John 15:10).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who ascended to and descended from heaven (Proverbs 30:4). No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven (John 3:13).
Word Studies:
27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind = Restraining a contentious woman is like attempting to hold the wind; 28:11 searcheth him out = sees through him; 28:14 that feareth alway = who is always reverent; 28:17 stay = help; 29:10 seek his soul = has concern for his well-being; 30:23 odious = hateful.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Bridges for Peace, headquartered in Jerusalem · Government Officials: Rep. William Clay, Jr. (MO) and Rep. Charles Norwood (GA) · Country: Macedonia (2 million) in southeastern Europe · Major languages: Macedonian and Albanian · strongly Orthodox country · 60% Macedonian/Albanian/Bulgarian Orthodox; 30% Muslim; 2% Roman Catholic; .2% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:24
