Daily Nugget:
“He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.” Proverbs 14:2
Proverbs 14:2 explains why a lot is happening in society, politics, to our youth, to our public education system, and even in many churches. The verse exposes the motive behind so much irrational thinking and behaviors. It puts all the confusion, anger, rejection of centuries-old accepted beliefs, and desires for social changes in perspective. This verse gives an answer to what is happening around us. It is that the growing population hates God!
The root of much of the extreme hatred is not just because others refuse to tolerate baby-butchering abortions and homosexuality, who they voted for, what political party they belong to, or even their adherence to old-fashioned morals and values. The defiance we see is because people refuse to obey the Lord.
Their aversion may be taken out upon those with biblical standards and beliefs because their lifestyles remind them of a God who requires them to live His way. Instead of obeying and being reminded of their convictions not to continue to sin, they removed all reminders of God’s demands. Reading and reciting the Bible from schools was abolished decades ago. There was also an effort to remove prayer from wherever it was heard and eliminate any remnant of God’s laws.
Those rebelling against God cannot take it out on Him, so they attack His messengers or anyone who reminds them of His laws and truths. It is God they are really defiant towards.
The God-haters do not want Him or anyone else to tell them what to do. They want to do what their flesh desires and do not wish anyone to remind them to do otherwise.
This defiance is nothing new. Rebellion against God has been around since early history.
Moses took the brunt of complaints when leading Israel through the wilderness. He knew it was God Israel was angry at.
“And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.” Exodus 16:8
Samuel faced Israel’s anger when the people wanted a king instead of judges. God reminded His appointed man that it was God the masses were rejecting.
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” I Samuel 8:7
When Jesus sent 70 soul-winners out to be witnesses to others, He warned the workers that if they were despised, it was because the people first hated God.
“… 16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” Luke 10:1-16
After understanding that it is God the world hates, it gives reasons for ungodliness and accepted moral depravity we see and hear about daily. The ungodly in this world are rebelling against Him. They refuse to have their Creator tell them how to live or what to do. It is God, they really are defying.
Today’s Thought:
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” Romans 13:1-2
Words to Understand:
Folly: foolishness; silliness
Penury: poverty
Scorner: one who has or shows great displeasure
Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 14
1 ¶ Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 ¶ He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 ¶ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 ¶ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 ¶ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 ¶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 ¶ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 ¶ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 ¶ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 ¶ The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 ¶ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 ¶ There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 ¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 ¶ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 ¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 ¶ A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 ¶ He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 ¶ The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 ¶ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 ¶ The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 ¶ He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 ¶ Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 ¶ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 ¶ The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 ¶ A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 ¶ In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 ¶ In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 ¶ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 ¶ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 ¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 ¶ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 ¶ Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 ¶ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 ¶ The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
It is sad to watch the crumbling of society. As a sinner saved by the Blood of Jesus, my eyes are opened. When I give out a Gospel tract I pray God will open one more persons eyes. We need to shine the light of Jesus for others to see. I don’t know when he will come back, but it can’t be far away. Do the work of the Lord while you are able.
Amen!
Good to hear from you again!