PROVERBS 22
Solomon’s advice to his son verse 1- 29
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches
AND loving favor rather than silver and gold REPUTATION
The rich and poor meet together
the LORD is the maker of them all
WEALTH
A PRUDENT man foresees the EVIL – and hides himself
BUT the SIMPLE pass on – and are punished RIGHTEOUS & WICKED
By HUMILITY and FEAR OF THE LORD are riches – honor
and life
RIGHTEOUS
Thorns and snares are in the way of the FROWARD
he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them WICKED & RIGHTEOUS
TRAIN up a child in the way he should go – AND when he is old
he will not depart from it
PARENTING
The rich rules over the poor
AND the borrower is servant to the lender
WEALTH
He that sows INIQUITY shall reap VANITY
AND the rod of his anger shall fail WICKED
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed
for he gives of his bread to the poor
WEALTH
Cast out the SCORNER and contention shall go out
strife and reproach shall cease WICKED
He that loves PURENESS of heart
for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend RIGHTEOUS
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge
AND HE overthrows the words of the transgressor RIGHTEOUS & WICKED
The SLOTHFUL man says
There is a lion without – I shall be slain in the streets
WORK ETHIC
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit
he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein WICKED
FOOLISHNESS is bound in the heart of a child
BUT the ROD OF CORRECTION shall drive it
far from him
PARENTING
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches
AND he that gives to the rich – shall surely come to want
WICKED & WEALTH
Bow down your ear – AND hear the words of the WISE
AND apply your heart unto my knowledge
RIGHTEOUS
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you
they shall withal be fitted in your lips
MOUTH
That your TRUST may be in the LORD
I have made known to you this day – even to you RIGHTEOUS
Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels AND knowledge that I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth
that you might answer the words of truth to them
that send unto you?
RIGHTEOUS
Rob not the poor – BECAUSE he is poor
NEITHER oppress the afflicted in the gate
for the LORD will plead their cause
AND spoil the soul of those
that spoiled them
JUDGMENT
Make no friendship with an ANGRY man
AND with a FURIOUS man you shall not go
lest you learn his ways
AND get a snare to your soul
FRIENDSHIP
Be not you one of them that strike hands
OR of them that are sureties for debts
if you have nothing to pay
why should he take away your bed
from under you?
WEALTH
Remove not the ancient landmark – which your fathers have set WICKED
See you a man DILIGENT in his business?
he shall stand before kings
he shall not stand before MEAN men
WORK ETHIC
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor and life. (6038 “humility” [anavah] means gentleness, meekness, the disposition of valuing or assessing oneself appropriately, lowly mind, modesty, gentleness, humility, unpretentiousness, quality of being straightforward and sincere, or suggesting a lack of arrogance or pride. )
DEVOTION: The fear of the LORD is understood by those who realize that we are here on this earth to bring glory to the LORD. If we are not true to our commitment to HIM promises to chasten us until we submit or our life it taken.
The LORD loves HIS servants to the point that HE wants them to grow in their knowledge of HIM and serve HIM better, so that, HE might receive the glory which HE doesn’t need but desires for us to show HIM to others.
Now we have Solomon instructing his son to have a disposition of unpretentiousness in front of those who are around him. It is not an act but a genuine life of sincerely wanting to please the LORD.
God is a father to all of HIS children. We are the father of our children and want them to bring glory to the LORD and this is only done with good training in the home. It takes work. It is a fulltime responsibility of a parent.
When our children turn into adults the proof will be shown as to the way we have raised our children. Solomon had some good children and others that were not honoring to the LORD. At the end of his life he was not a good example to his children.
We need to be good examples to our children and to those who don’t know the LORD. Fellow believers need examples to follow as well. If all those who claim Christ are sincere in their gentleness to others those who follow Christ will give them praise and those outside of Christ will sit up and take notice.
CHALLENGE: Pray that each of us who are trying to follow Christ with meekness and gentleness will win those around us to the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (2596 “train up” [chanak] means dedicate, inaugurate, to develop a person’s behavior by instruction and practice, to make narrow, or consecrate.)
DEVOTION: Parents have a awesome responsibility when they raise their children. It is the command of the LORD that those who are followers of HIM should make sure that they do their best to raise their children to honor the LORD for the rest of their lives.
This is done by the parents setting an example for the children to follow. It is not easy as the children see their faults as well as they good tracts.
The LORD knows all about the parents and their habits that are not pleasing to HIM. HE gives those who dedicate themselves to raising their children to honor HIM help during this training period.
Proper training is not wasted. Some parents try too hard to discipline their children, so that they honor the LORD which sometimes is too hard and the children rebel. There has to be a balance and the only one who can help with that balance is the LORD.
Parents need to be praying daily that they are following the LORD’S instructions with a loving hand. There has to be a good mixture of discipline and love. This takes a lot of prayer on the part of the parents.
The develop doesn’t end when they leave the house. As parents we can even train our adult children to follow the LORD through our loving example when we help them with their children.
CHALLENGE: You don’t know how you did until the children grow up and move out of the house. Even then it takes prayer for our adult children to follow the LORD on their own.
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: 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (4148 “correction” [muwcar] means discipline, chastening, admonition, example, instruction, or warning.)
DEVOTION: We have a real problem in raising children today here in America. There seems to be a large group that thinks that parents should not have any control over their children and what they teach them. There are no absolutes according to these sources. All children should be let go to do what comes naturally while they are growing up. There should never be the word “NO” in their presence.
The Bible gives us different directions. The children are to obey their parents. Children are to honor their parents. If the children are not obedient they are to be disciplined. Does this mean that each time they do something wrong them should be given a spanking?
We have to look at the teachings regarding children in the Bible and listen to what God has to say about the relationship between parents and children.
In the Old Testament disobedient children could be taken to the elders at the gate of a city and they could decide if they were to be stoned for their actions. This is dealing with older children. Solomon states that a rod of warning should be administered to children who are disobedient. What was the purpose of this rod? It was to correct actions that would cause children difficulty in life. If they continued on the course they were going they would end up being rebellious and could be stoned for their actions.
Discipline had to start early in life.
In the New Testament we find that Paul gives instructions to children to obey their parents because it is right. They are to honor their parents by obedience. Does that mean that if a parent tells them to commit crimes they should obey? NO!!! They were to obey only in the LORD.
Fathers are given special instructions to not provoke their children to wrath or anger. They were to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Fathers are held accountable to God for their training of their children. Mothers are very important but fathers are to be the leaders of the home.
This causes extra problems today because more children are raised by their mother than those who have a father present in the home. It is sad but true. The church has to work with children that need instruction regarding what are correct and incorrect actions in some homes. This means that the church family might have to be involved in helping the mother raise their children. The men of the church might have to step up to help other families.
CHALLENGE: If there are children who come under your care as a Sunday School teacher or youth leader in the church are you helping single parents with their children. It is a Biblical matter.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 21 That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to them that send unto you? (7189 “certainty” [qosht] means to balance, truth, sound teaching, what is right or just words.
DEVOTION: This is part of a new section of the book of Proverbs. It is said to have thirty saying that are taught to Solomon’s son by Solomon.
It starts with the fact that Solomon has written his teachings down for his son to teach the next generation. He believes that what he is teaching comes from the LORD. He believes that his son should have an answer for anyone who questions his actions or beliefs. He wants his son to know that he is teaching his son the truth. He wants his son to be using just words to those who come to him for instructions.
“Just words” are words that convey the truth regarding the LORD and what HE expects of those who are righteous. The contrasts continue but in this section they use more than just a single verse to convey a truth.
The New Testament informs those who are followers of Christ to have an answer for the beliefs they hold. Some people will question what we believe and we have to base our belief on the Word of God.
Too often we look for answers in all the wrong places. We ask our friends for advice on how to handle a matter. We go to pastors and other professionals to find the answers. Some of these sources are good but the beginning source that we need to seek is the WORD OF GOD. Many times, it is the last source of information we look into for an answer.
All the answers to life’s questions are found in the WORD OF GOD or Bible. When we have an answer then we can share what we have learned from the Bible with others. Our words need to be words of truth. We learn truth by studying the Word of God.
Can we speak with certainty because we are speaking the truth of the Word or are we giving our opinion based on our experience? God wants us to answer with HIS words of truth. It is the only way we will have balance in our lives.
CHALLENGE: We need to ask the right questions. The first question should always be “What does the Bible say regarding this matter? What verse can we turn to?”
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Bountiful eye – gives bread to the poor verse 9
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
I have written to you excellent things verse 20
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Know the certainty of the words of truth verse 21
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 2, 4, 12, 14, 19, 23
Creator of both rich and poor verse 2
Punished verse 3
Fear of the LORD verse 4
Eyes of the LORD preserves knowledge verse 12
HE overthrows words of the transgressor verse 12
LORD pleads the cause of the poor verse 23
LORD spoils soul of those who rob poor verse 23
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Man verse 3, 24, 29
Child verse 6
King verse 11, 29
Friend verse 11, 24
Strange woman verse 14
Fathers verse 28
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Evil verse 3
Simple verse 3
Froward verse 5
Iniquity verse 8
Vanity verse 8
Rod of anger verse 8
Scorner verse 10
Contention verse 10
Strife verse 10
Reproach verse 10
Transgressor verse 12
Slothful verse 13
Strange woman verse 14
Abhorred of the LORD shall fall verse 14
Foolishness verse 15
Oppresses the poor verse 16
Robbing the poor verse 22
Oppressing the afflicted verse 22
Spoil the poor verse 23
Angry man verse 24
Furious man – don’t learn his ways verse 24, 25
Surety verse 26
Remove ancient landmarks verse 28
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Good name verse 1
Loving favor verse 1
Prudent: hides from evil verse 3
Humility verse 4
FEAR OF THE LORD verse 4
Riches verse 4, 7
Honor verse 4
Life verse 4
Train up verse 6
Bountiful eye verse 9
Give to the poor verse 9
Blessed verse 9
Pureness of heart verse 11
Grace of lips verse 11
Friend of king verse 11
Preserves knowledge verse 12, 17, 20
Rod of correction verse 15
Hear words of wise verse 17
Apply heat to knowledge verse 17
Trust verse 19
Counsel and knowledge verse 20
Words of truth verse 21
Friendship verse 24
Diligent verse 29
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
SOLOMON verse 1- 29
Train up a child in the way he should go verse 6
Rich rules over the poor verse 7
Borrower over the lender verse 7
Written excellent things verse 20
Learning ways of furious man
will be a snare to soul verse 25
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
26–27 If people foolishly pledge what they have, they could lose it all (see 6:1–5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; there is no parallel in the Egyptian material). The risk is that if someone lacks the means to pay, his creditors may take his bed, i.e., his last possession (cf. our expressions “the shirt off his back” or “the kitchen sink”). “Bed” may be a metonymy for the garment that covers the bed (cf. Exod 22:26). (Ross, A. P. (1991). Proverbs. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 1067). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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22:26–27. The 3rd saying. The high risks in putting up security for debts is mentioned several times in Proverbs (6:1–5; see comments there; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13). Striking hands in pledge means to confirm an agreement, like the gesture of shaking hands (see comments on 6:1). If a debtor fails to pay, the creditor will hound the cosigner, and if the cosigner cannot pay, then his furniture may be taken as payment. This serious consequence results from becoming foolishly entangled in others’ financial problems. (Buzzell, S. S. (1985). Proverbs. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 955). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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6:1 surety … pledge. The foolishness here is making one’s self responsible for another’s debt and pledging to pay if the other defaults (cf. 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26). While there is precedent for such a practice, it is far better to give to those in need (see 19:17; Dt 15:1–15) or lend without interest (see 28:8; Lv 25:35–38). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Pr 6:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 26. Be not thou one of them that strike hands, &c.] Or among them, of the number of them, that do as they do, give their hand or their bond for others; be surety for them, as it is explained in the following clause; see ch. 6:1 and 17:18. Or of them that are sureties for debts; contracted by others; that engage for the payment of them, in case the principal fails: and it is much if persons that keep indifferent company, angry and furious men, who are often in broils and quarrels, and spend their time and substance in strife and contention, are not drawn into engagements of this kind. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 483). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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Those in authority should also avoid friendships with foolish men. Solomon, with one particular foolish person in mind, pointed out his desire for bargains and his drift toward bankruptcy: “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” (Proverbs 22:26–27). The wise king was repeating his warning concerning the folly of securing another person’s loan, especially when one is not in a financial position to do so. “You’ll pay for it if you do,” Solomon was saying. Our English proverb says, “Better safe than sorry.” In effect Solomon’s sound business advice was “Don’t sign until you are sure.”
Years ago I knew a man of great personal integrity who worked for a Christian organization. He was an able preacher and a good administrator, but he knew little or nothing about high finance. An earnest Christian, he was a transparently honest individual. Guileless himself, he was quite sure that others were as honest as he was. It would never have occurred to him that a fellow believer would, or even could, be guilty of any kind of shady deal.
I spent many happy hours in this man’s home. He seemed to enjoy talking over the Scriptures and sharing similar tastes in books. But beneath his smiling exterior he carried a terrible burden. One day he revealed to me that he was afraid he might be sent to prison for fraud.
This is his story. When he first accepted a position in the organization, his title was business manager and he simply handled the day-to-day business of the organization. Most of the major financial transactions, including sales of real estate, were handled by his boss. The organization owned some prime property and from time to time the boss would sell a parcel or two of land to individuals who wanted building sites for retirement homes. My friend believed his superior was a good Christian and trusted him completely.
Soon this boss promoted my friend to the position of secretary, increased his salary, and made him a signing officer with full legal powers and responsibilities. Thus my friend took a step up the ladder—or so he thought. In actual fact, he had fallen into a trap.
From time to time the boss put deeds and other documents on my friend’s desk. “This is for that property down by the lake, Bill,” he would say. “We’re selling a piece of it. As secretary you will need to sign where I have marked the papers. I’ll take care of all the transfers, titles, and legal details.” My unsuspicious friend signed as requested, not for one moment suspecting that anything might be wrong. The bylaws of the organization provided for the sale of property and because he was unskilled in real estate matters, he simply trusted his boss.
After a few years the boss left the organization and moved across the country. At his suggestion the board promoted my friend to the position of general manager. He received an appropriate increase in salary and assumed full responsibility for the organization.
Before long my friend woke up to a terrible reality. He had been systematically deceived into participating in many fraudulent real estate transactions. Property had been sold, all right, but often the same parcel of land had been “sold” to two or three different people. Bogus documents had been issued and my friend, in complete ignorance of what was really going on, had signed them.
“Sign here,” he had been told, or “Sign there.” Thinking he was doing what he was supposed to do as secretary of the organization, he had signed. Now he was saddled with scores of fraudulent documents for which he was legally responsible. The former boss had absconded with hundreds of thousands of dollars and the victims took legal action against my friend. His name, reputation, and whole life were at stake.
Everyone who knew my friend well, knew that he was as much a victim as the people who had been defrauded, but his innocence did not prevent the lawsuits from being filed. As he faced ruin, my friend said: “The Lord knows. It’s in His hands now. I was a fool, but I was an honest fool.”
I am glad to say that this story has a happy ending. Another Christian friend of mine took an interest in the case. He was able to persuade a wealthy Christian businessman to put up the money to pay back in full those who had been defrauded. As for the actual thief, his case has been referred to that higher court where all such wrongs will one day be redressed. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Proverbs 19–31: An Expository Commentary (Vol. 2, Pr 22:26–27). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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THE CROSS TEACHES HOW TO SUFFER
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
1 Peter 2:21
Christ teaches us how to live, and He also teaches us how to suffer. Because we live in a world of suffering and we need to be taught how to suffer, He teaches us how to suffer. The cross teaches us how to suffer—not only how to live morally and ethically, but how to suffer. “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” come to us all: people misunderstanding us, injustices done to us, the failure of trusted friends, people in whom we reposed every confidence letting us down, disappointments, loneliness, physical pain. How do you stand up to these things? These are the things that come to all of us. How do we meet them—how do we live? Read what the apostle Peter says about this: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:21-24).
There is the only way—the cross. Christ experienced misunderstanding, injustice, the treachery of friends, loneliness, even his disciples forsaking Him and fleeing from Him. In the dark night, they all forsook Him. And so no experience can ever fall to your lot but that he has gone through it. The treachery, the misunderstanding, the abuse, the injustice, the loneliness, the agony, the sweat.
In every pang that rends the heart,
The Man of Sorrows had a part.
Michael Bruce
Yes, in the light of the fact that He has been made in the likeness of sinful flesh and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” He is able to help us.
A Thought to Ponder
No experience can ever fall to your lot but that Christ has gone through it.
(From The Cross, pp. 213-215, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Christ the Foundation
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
The only sure and lasting foundation for either a Christian institution or an individual Christian life is the Lord Jesus Christ. No other foundation will endure in that coming day when “the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (v. 13).
It is vital, therefore, to build on the foundation that Christ Himself has laid. This is laid in three courses, each of which is essential for its permanence. First of all, we must acknowledge with the apostle that “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands” (Hebrews 1:10). He is the Creator of all things, and therefore Lord over all.
Second, we must acknowledge with Peter that we have been “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:18-20). His foreordained work of redemption thus was foundational even to the foundation of the world!
Then there is the Word of God, which is foundational to everything beyond creation and redemption. “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them….He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock” (Luke 6:47-48).
The Lord Jesus Christ is the true foundation, for He has Himself laid every sure foundation. He created all things, His shed blood is the price to redeem all things, and His written Word, by His Holy Spirit, reveals all things needed to build a beautiful, fruitful Christian life or ministry. No other foundation will last, and “if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Titus 2
The book of Titus encourages people of all ages to live proper lives as Christians.
INSIGHT
The knowledge of Christ must effect a transformation in our lives so that our attitudes and actions will “adorn the doctrine of God” (v. 10). The words we speak will influence others only if our actions support our words. God has redeemed us from the slavery of sin, assuring us of “the blessed hope” of the coming of Christ (v. 13). Because we will one day be delivered from this world, we are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, fixing our faith on the coming of “the blessed hope.” This means we must be good stewards of the things of this world and live for the things Jesus would live for if He were in our place. (QuietWalk)
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The Lord Our Shield
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (Psalm 3:3)
The beautiful metaphor of God as our shield, and our protector from evil, is used over 15 times in the book of Psalms, the first being in our text above. The very first time it is used in the Bible, however, is also the first time the word “shield” itself is used. That was the time when God assured Abram, after his battle with the armies of the northern kings: “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield” (Genesis 15:1). This was a great comfort to Abram, there in the land of the Canaanites, where evil and enemies surrounded him on all sides.
But consider also a few of the many “shield” promises in the book of Psalms. One of the most beautiful and most uplifting is Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
And consider also this wonderful promise: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler [same word] to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). In the same psalm appears this great testimony: “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great” (Psalm 18:35).
Three times in Psalm 115 appears the injunction to “trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield” (Psalm 115:9-11). Similarly, “thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word” (Psalm 119:114).
The final reference in Psalms to the Lord as our shield is “Blessed be the LORD my strength. . . . My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me” (Psalm 144:1-2). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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THE FULLNESS OF BLESSING
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1 John 4:13
How does this blessing come? Well, I do not see any evidence in the New Testament to support what used to be called a “tarrying meeting.” Some people had that idea. God had certain blessings to give, and they thought they had to wait until they received them. But the gift is given by God in His own way and time; this gift does not come of necessity at once. It is God’s gift, and He knows when to give it and when to withhold it.
Do you remember the case of Moody? This was his story. He became conscious of his lack and need, and he began to pray to God about it. He gave obedience to the Word of God as well as he could, and he went on praying for months. Nothing happened to him, but still he went on praying. Yes, he waited for it, but it did not come, and the story is that one day, walking down a street in New York, not in a tarrying meeting, not even in a prayer meeting, suddenly God overwhelmed him with this mighty blessing. It was so mighty that Moody felt he would be killed by it, and he held up his hand and said, “Stop, God!”
God has His own time. God knows when to give the gift, and we must never imagine that by going to a meeting or following a certain procedure it is bound to come. No; the Holy Spirit is sovereign, and He gives in His own way. It may be dramatically or suddenly or quietly; that is irrelevant, because what really matters is that we receive the gift. The essence of it all, I think, can be put very simply: “Trust and obey.”
A Thought to Ponder: God has His own time. God knows when to give the gift. (From The Love of God, pp. 114-115, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Prayer Covering
The report of your obedience has reached to all. ROMANS 16:19
Another inspiring story that arose from the life of young Thomas Epting, the boy I told you about yesterday, began with a batch of prayer cards his family printed to hand out in the community. A total stranger offered to produce 50,000 cards at no charge, each featuring a picture of Thomas and describing what he was up against and how he was handling it with praise and perseverance.
One day near the end of Thomas’s life, his mom, Amy, wondered why, with all of these prayer cards in circulation and with so many people interceding on Thomas’s behalf, the Lord had not yet brought the healing they so desperately wanted. Thomas replied, “Mom, God is using those prayer cards, just not the way you want Him to.”
Those words came rushing back to mind one day when Amy’s telephone rang not long after Thomas had died. The woman on the other end of the line said she had been sitting in her attorney’s office, where she had gone to file for divorce, and had caught sight of one of Thomas’s prayer cards lying on a table in the waiting area. She couldn’t believe what she was reading—a young teenage boy fighting for survival but more full of faith than most people who have their whole lives ahead of them.
This woman walked out of her lawyer’s office that day, not with divorce papers, but with a new resolve to make her marriage work. God had used a sick child’s faith to spread healing ointment on a sick marriage—the same God who assured us in His Word that all things are possible. Especially when it comes to prayer.
DISCUSS
Is there someone you know who needs to hear Thomas’s story? And what are your deepest, biggest personal prayer concerns today? (Moments with YOU by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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