Text: "People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right." - Proverbs 8:4-6
Our text today, reminds us of the spiritual warfare that rages over our eternal destiny. Like a concerned parent, God offers help to us, his struggling, children that we might rise above the entanglements and limitations of sin.
Notice the breadth and passion of God's appeal. His concern for fallen humanity knows no limit. Tragically, so many fall captive to the allurement of another master while the call of God goes largely unnoticed. So many fall short of the high ideals of God and the potential He desires for them in the gifting of life. This text reflects the heart of God, longing for the companionship of his lost and erring children.
In Ephesians 6:10-12, the Apostle Paul helps us to understand the world view of the bible. "...my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
We are not to be passive regarding this spiritual battle. We are to be aware and intentional of the impact of our choices. "We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting"(Ephesians 4:14).
In the strength that God alone can provide, we are to rise up "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."(vs 13).
Too many stumble along without an understanding of God's will. God knows that we cannot fight that which cannot see. He knows that we are doomed to failure if we persist in this battle alone. And so He appeals to us to admit our short comings and failings. He asks us to acknowledge our inability to realize sustained victory. Apart from Christ, we wrestle with our emptiness while the Lord offers us His fullness. Common sense would lead us to step away from that which ultimately proves to be so ungratifying.
Proverbs 4:23 offers us good counsel. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." In Romans 6:16 we are reminded that we are continually influenced by either the kingdom of light or darkness.. I quote," Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"
I thank God for those who place themselves within the sphere of God's influence through the reading of His word because the noble things that He offers contain promises that He is able and willing to fulfill. The Apostle Paul effectively witnessed to the the powerful and ever present power of God to save. He said that Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those that come to the Father through Him"(Hebrews 7:25). He said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(Philippians 4:13).
Do not walk into this day alone. God can and will help you! My prayers are with you. We are living in times that would tell us that the Lord is about to come. He won't come this time as a suffering Servant, but will come as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. He will put an end to sin and suffering, and He offers to you that which is right. An abundant life in the knowledge of His love and blessing. He will work with an eternity in mind. He will work to effect your redemption, but you have to let Him help you. Offer a prayer to your Saviour and experience life, abundant life in Him.