1/14/14 Proverbs 1:32, 33 You Shall Live Securely, Not Like Fools Who Will Be Destroyed

 

  Proverbs 1:32, 33 (NAS)

For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely, And shall be at ease from the dread of evil.

 

                Proverbs 1:32, 33 (NIVUS)

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

  
Have you ever been lost while hiking in the woods?  Maybe you have been driving to a destination and you "thought" you knew the way, but then you made one wrong turn and found yourself hopelessly lost.  What did you do?  Did you stop to ask directions?  Did you back track, trying to find the spot where you went wrong?  Most of the time when you are lost, you can find your way back by turning around. The same is true when you are following after God's will. If you know you have strayed, you should go back to the last place where you clearly heard Adonai's voice and proceed again from there.
 
There are some people who deliberately turn away from the Almighty.  They retreat from His presence and have no intention of going back or returning to their starting point.  Some of these people may have believed in the Lord at one point, but they are backsliding and becoming apostate.  These choose to walk away from their faith.  They become deluded and foolish, for the enemy has deceived them with a lie.  They do no realize that the adversary is leading them down a path of destruction, where they will be slain.  Death is the only thing that awaits them.
 
Some people find false security in the abundance of their possessions.  Since they are prospering and successful, they believe that they are safe.  However, they have put their trust in fleeting riches, instead of in the Lord.  These are just as lost as the man who deliberately walks away from the Most High God.  In their wandering, they will also likewise perish.  They will find no escape from the death that awaits the fool.
 
Because you hearken unto the Lord, you do not need to fear this end.  Your obedience will cause you to lodge in a place of refuge, safety, and security.  You will permanently dwell in rest, for your confidence and assurance are in the Lord your God.  Peace and quiet will surround you.  The fear, terror, and dread of what is evil or bad will depart from you.  The Lord has put you at ease, for nothing or no one can break you in pieces.  The Lord Jehovah has made you whole and complete.

 

 

 

(Originally written 9/29/06)