Proverbs 10
Scripture
Proverbs 10:29
"The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.”
Observation-What does it say?
These proverbs show the difference between the consequences of the choices of the wise, verses the consequences of the choices of the foolish. The following are a few of the different paths that are mentioned in this chapter.
A wise son vs. a foolish son
Righteous vs. wicked
Lazy hands vs. diligent hands
Prudent son vs. disgraceful son
Wise in heart vs. chattering fool
Walking in integrity vs. walking a crooked path
Love vs. Hatred
Those who heed discipline vs. those who ignore correction.
Understanding-What does it mean?
In order to live a pure and blameless life, we must take refuge in Jesus. His grace is new every morning because His love and faithfulness has no end.
“For you save a humble people, but the haughty (prideful) eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalms 18:27-30 ESV
Life Application
A wise life is led in humility and through complete surrender to Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with what we are able to accomplish on our own.
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”” Luke 18:9-14 NIV
The story of the Prodigal Son always gets to me. (See Luke 15:11-32). If you don't feel you are good enough or not as "spiritual" as him or her over there or it's too late to turn your life around, here's some news. The awesome thing about Jesus is that at the foot of the cross, we are all the same. He gave the same grace to the younger son who left and the same grace to the older son who was prideful and jealous. The master will search for that one lost coin and will search for that one lost sheep until He finds him (Luke 15). There is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
Thank You Jesus for rejoicing over me when I returned from my rebellious/foolish path and returned to You. I pray for anyone struggling with a secret sin today, that you would extinguish the lies of the enemy who says to stay in darkness. Please help restore others back to You, so that we can rejoice together. Help us remain humble and submitted to You to continue to walk the wise path you have called us to. In Your Name we pray, Amen.