Bible Pathways 7/27/2001
July 27
Read Proverbs 27 -- 31
If we love someone, we want to be with him and to know what pleases him in order to develop a lasting relationship. We also want to know what he dislikes in order to avoid actions that would displease him. Surely, this is also an important consideration in our relationship with our Lord.
God has said: Whoever keeps the Law is a wise son: but he that turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be abomination (unacceptable to God) (Proverbs 28:7,9). If we want God to listen to us when we pray, then it is exceedingly important to read His qualifications for acceptable prayer. The prayer God calls an abomination is one offered by those who assume there is no need to read all that God has to say from Genesis to Revelation.
The prayers of the self-deceived person who ignores God's Word are an insult to Him and go unheard and unanswered. He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy (28:13).
John reminded believers: We have confidence toward God. And whatever 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 His commandments if we don't read His Word to know what they are.
Strange as it may seem, some talk about "biblical principles," but see no need to read all the Bible in order to know biblical principles. They pray for solutions to life's problems, but fail to go to the one place where God provides the answers.
Why is there such widespread failure among Christians to read all of the Word of God? Is it because of pride resulting from the assumption that their own "good judgment" can take the place of the Bible, or is it because certain portions of the Scriptures condemn their own acceptance of popular, but immoral, lifestyles. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness (Proverbs 30:12).
Pray for men and women like the prophet Jeremiah, who exposed the popular preachers of his day, saying: The prophets prophesy falsely . . . and My people love to have it so. . . . Behold, the Word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. . . . They have not hearkened to My words . . . but rejected it (Jeremiah 5:31; 6:10,19). Throughout history, God has rejected His people when they refused to accept the guidance and warnings of His Word.
The Holy Spirit led the psalmist to write: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalms 66:18). But the prayer of a repentant sinner desiring to please the Lord is always acceptable to Him.
Jesus placed great emphasis on the necessity of obedience to His Word to bring about answered prayer, saying: If ye abide in Me, and My Words (Genesis through Revelation) abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7).
Christ Revealed: As the One who ascended to and descended from Heaven (Proverbs 30:4). No man has 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 means restraining a contentious woman is like attempting to hold the wind; 28:11 searcheth him out means sees through him; 28:14 that feareth alway means who is always reverent; 28:17 stay means help; 29:10 seek his soul means has concern for his well-being; 30:23 odious means hateful.
Prayer:
Government Officials: Rep. William Clay, Jr. (MO) and Rep. Charles Norwood (GA) · BPM Staff: Ken Sharp · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on KJAK-FM, Lubbock, TX · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in memory of Tim Peterson · Country: Serbia and Montenegro (11 million) on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe · Major language: Serbo-Croatian · Religious conflict · 41% Serbian/Montenegrin/Macedonian Orthodox; 33% Catholic; 11% Muslim; 1% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Watch and pray that you may be worthy to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 20:14
