Sunday, July 11, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 11:4-8, we learned more about the importance of living right. Solomon wrote throughout the Book of Proverbs that living right is the only real way to be happy and blessed in this life. In this passage, he added that riches would not do an individual any good either when he or she stands before the Lord in judgment. Wealth and possessions do not bring happiness in this life, and they will not impress an angry God. Psalms 78:21-22 says, "Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation." Many people think that they will be happy if they just have a little more, but the satisfying of the desire for more does not work. Happiness is not a function of things. It is a function of godliness. Psalms 37:16 says, "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." To be happy and blessed by the Lord, a person must turn to Him and put their trust in Him. That is the only way. When we come to Christ in faith with a repentant heart, we are made righteous and clean before Him, not because of our goodness but because He is good, long-suffering, and merciful. Because He cleanses our heart and makes us a new creature in Him, we are delivered from death. Psalms 23:4 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Truly, God is our great Comforter.
In addition to maximizing our happiness in this world, living right before the Lord will also lead and protect us. Righteousness comes from the Hebrew word that suggests truthfulness and the doing of right works. Perfect comes from the Hebrew word that means complete, whole, or entire, wanting nothing. Upright comes from the Hebrew word meaning straight, upright, correct, or right. When we are righteous or when we even try to do the right things, then our right attitude and our right conduct will keep us on the right paths in life. We will be spared many hardships and even be delivered from those who would do us harm. According to Solomon, those who do not strive to live right are walking a path towards failure. He wrote that the wicked would fall in their wickedness. He also said that those who transgress would be caught in their transgression. In other words, we do not really get away with our wrongful deeds. Payday always comes. In Proverbs 11:7-8, Solomon wrote that the wicked are soon forgotten. Most people want to be remembered, and most would like to be remembered in good ways. However, Solomon wrote that the wicked person dies and is soon forgotten. Their hopes and desires do not come to pass. Moreover, while the righteous person is delivered from trouble, the wicked person usually lives a life full of trouble.
As the Book of Proverbs as taught throughout, living right, seeking God and His wisdom, and trying to acquire a godly understanding are worthwhile pursuits. When we fail to stick to the straight and narrow pathway through life, we invite trouble and difficulty. Therefore, as you go through the coming week, seek the Lord and do your best to be the person that He would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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