Stand Firm Forever
Proverbs 10:24-25
24What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. 25When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Winter Accident
As reported in the past, a group was travelling on a tour bus and had tragic accident on a Canada highway, and many passengers were hospitalized. It’s not isolated case. It doesn’t matter if you drive a bus, truck or small car, travelling on Canada highway is really dangerous in winter. Accidents happen also in the city, not just during winter. You may drive carefully, but other drivers may have been under influence. There is no certainty of safety while driving, anywhere anytime.
Regardless, it’s better to drive defensively all the times. What matters most is our behavior and testimony as children of God. It reminds us in 3 John 1:11:
11Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Mankind is social being; we desire to be associated in a society; we can be easily influenced to participate socially, especially if activities excite our curiosity. It had been advised that it profits to choose a group you wish to belong or join; be selective of a society you intend to get involved with. How is that applicable?
If you wish to become business person, associate with business people or attend business seminars. If you wish to be fisherman, befriend fishermen who may know the best place to fish. If you wish to be a basketball player spend time learning how to play basketball from basketball players or coaches.
Spiritually, if you want to grow spiritually, attend church activities regularly.
Let’s reflect on the testimony of King David in Psalm 21:1-2, 1The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
King David wisely relied upon the Lord. As simple shepherd, he’s no expert soldier but he was victorious in all his battles. Like King David, pray for guidance always, if you want to be victorious in your battles. David was also obedient to God so that, the Lord had granted whatever King David asked from him.
1. Granted
24What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.
Results of wickedness and righteousness were observed by King Solomon.
And, he warned of the destructive and dreadful effect of wickedness; he advised that it’s beneficial to pay attention to the advantageous and favorable results of righteousness. How can we internalize this prophetic advice of King Solomon?
How can we reach the level of his wisdom? We have to seek help from the Holy Spirit of Christ. It declares in 1 Corinthians 1:24, 24To those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to believers whom God has chosen to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. When we earnestly seek his help, the Holy Spirit who gave wisdom to King Solomon helps us understand, internalize and practically apply the warnings and instruction in the Scripture.
The more we understand the Scripture, the more we familiarize things and activities that please the Lord. And so, when we pray and seek his help, we come to him with confidence because we know that he will grant our prayers. Amen!
Canaanite Woman
When the Lord brought the Israelites in the Promised Land, he commanded them to destroy all the Canaanites but the Israelites did not totally follow his instructions. And few Canaanites had survived. During the time of Christ on earth, there was a Canaanite woman who pleaded for mercy because her daughter was suffering terribly. Together, let us reflect what it narrated in Matthew 15:25-28:
25The Canaanite woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
When the Canaanite woman answered wisely, it proved her faith in Christ. Why did Jesus imply that the Canaanite was compared to a dog? If he considers her as dogs, would it change how he sees her if she complained? Does it make any difference in she responded otherwise? Our status before God changes eternally when we believe and trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Pertaining to Christ, it clearly declares in 2 Corinthians 5:21, 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
By faith in Christ, we are considered righteous before God and not dogs.
To be considered righteous before God inspires us more to prepare for eternity.
If our time on earth expires anytime or if our Lord Jesus Christ returns sooner then, our opportunity to store up eternal treasure for ourselves will be gone.
2. Gone
25When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
This proverb declares of what happens in the afterlife. People who rejected God will just disregard his warning. It’s only by faith in Christ that, we seriously internalize it. Surely, we still have to attend to our practical responsibilities, and we need the Lord’s guidance for us to behave properly and please him. Why?
Together, let us learn for what King David had declared in Psalm 33:5:
5The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
How do you personally interpret that? Observe it closely. The term “loves” is in present tense. It implies that the love of God for righteousness is operative and functional at present; his justice is not delayed; the Lord actively attends to righteous believers. Reflect on what it advises in Ecclesiastes 11:2, 2Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
Farmer
There was of a woman who ventured in farming; she had no experience in farming. During her first 3 years of farming, she suffered numerous mistakes, but she persevered until she discovered which plant is suitable in her land that brings much harvests. If you’re not expert in farming yet, she advised to keep on trying; get training; know which crop is suitable in your land and don’t give up.
Like any other investments, farming requires wisdom. There’s no certainty of great harvest. In spite of that reality, we have to remember that in everything we do (regular employment or farming venture) should have eternal significance.
All of us will leave this world, but only a few enter heaven. Revelation 22:14-15, clearly declares: 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
By faith in Christ, we become righteous and stand firm before God forever.
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