I want to look at two verses in Proverbs 22 today. The first one is verse 4:
4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
We have already read in earlier Proverbs that the Fear of the Lord is the very beginning of Wisdom! Now we see that not only will we gain Wisdom, but we will also receive riches and honor and life by operating in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord! The KJV says "by", which is the Hebrew word "`eqeb", and means: a consequence of, a gain, a reward. Remember, it doesn't really cost us anything worthwhile to obey God, but it surely does PAY! Then next verse we will look at is verse 12:
12 The eyes of the LORD keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
Another verse that goes right along with this one is Jeremiah 1:12:
12 Then said the LORD to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.
When we take the necessary time to find out what God's Word has to say about any and every situation, and speak it out of our mouths, HE will make sure that it comes to pass! What is our job? Feed on His Word, then Speak His Word! What is the LORD'S job? MAKE IT HAPPEN! I LIKE that!
Ephesians 5 gives more guidance on how the life of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth is supposed to look to the world! Remember that we represent Heaven while we're here on the earth! We are ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)! Look at verses 14-17:
14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. 15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
That is our call to battle! Represent the LORD Jesus right here on earth and show forth His glory, so that people will be drawn to HIM! Amen! The best way to begin is found in the next verses! Verses 17-20:
17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the LORD is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in palms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody in your heart to the LORD, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Remember that when we give thanks according to verse 20, it is not "for" the things, but for God's Word concerning those things! We give thanks for God's provision in every situation!
1 Chronicles 16 shows David and all of Israel praising the LORD for the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. Verse 34 goes right along with Ephesians 5:20:
34 O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Be thanking Him for how great and wonderful He is, and, also, for all the good things that He has done in your life! 1 Chronicles 17:20-21 are very important to remember in these days in which we live!
20 O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God beside You, according to all that our ears have heard. 21 And what nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to Himself as a people, making Yourself a name of great and terrible things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?
There is NO other God but the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Krishna, Allah, etc. are either people who have died and NOT come back to life, as Jesus of Nazareth did; or they are demonic spirits working for the Father of all lies, satan! Then verse 24 says this:
24 Let it be established and let Your Name [and the character that Name denotes] be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God; and the house of David Your servant will be established before You.
He IS Israel's God! He WAS, He IS, and He EVER will BE! Israel belongs to God! Make sure that you are taking time every day to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Those who bless Israel WILL BE BLESSED! I choose blessing, how about you? Here is the closest I could find of a picture of what David would have looked like bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel! He wasn't naked, as some have supposed! He just was NOT wearing his kingly robes, he was wearing the simple linen ephod of a priest. The first picture is more likely what the garment would have looked like. The second picture is more like the wonderful, joyous attitude David would have had!
Shalom in Him!
