Proverbs for Life
Proverbs 22:2 presents the truth, saying, “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.”
Among the sixty-six books of the Bible, the book of the Proverbs reveals God’s wisdom for our daily living. This book of the Bible speaks concerning many aspects of our lives. It speaks concerning our relationship with the Lord, concerning our relationship to God’s truth, concerning our relationship to righteous living, concerning our relationship with others, concerning the relationships within our families, concerning our relationship with friends, concerning our practice of verbal communication, concerning our viewpoint of money and material things, concerning our diligence in work and labor, etc.
In Proverbs 22:2 we find a truth concerning our relationship with the Lord our God. In fact, this verse reveals one aspect of the Lord’s place in our lives. Now, this verse does not speak concerning the place that the Lord ought to have in our lives. It does not speak concerning the place that we ought to grant unto the Lord our God in our lives. Rather, this verse speaks concerning the place that the Lord our God has in our lives regardless of our submission unto Him. It speaks concerning the place that the Lord has in our lives as THE Lord God, whether we are righteously obedient unto Him or rebelliously wicked before Him.
Yea, overall the book of the Proverbs reveals four basic truths concerning the Lord’s place in our lives.
Proverbs 22:2 presents the truth, saying, “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.”
Among the sixty-six books of the Bible, the book of the Proverbs reveals God’s wisdom for our daily living. This book of the Bible speaks concerning many aspects of our lives. It speaks concerning our relationship with the Lord, concerning our relationship to God’s truth, concerning our relationship to righteous living, concerning our relationship with others, concerning the relationships within our families, concerning our relationship with friends, concerning our practice of verbal communication, concerning our viewpoint of money and material things, concerning our diligence in work and labor, etc.
In Proverbs 22:2 we find a truth concerning our relationship with the Lord our God. In fact, this verse reveals one aspect of the Lord’s place in our lives. Now, this verse does not speak concerning the place that the Lord ought to have in our lives. It does not speak concerning the place that we ought to grant unto the Lord our God in our lives. Rather, this verse speaks concerning the place that the Lord our God has in our lives regardless of our submission unto Him. It speaks concerning the place that the Lord has in our lives as THE Lord God, whether we are righteously obedient unto Him or rebelliously wicked before Him.
Yea, overall the book of the Proverbs reveals four basic truths concerning the Lord’s place in our lives.
The Lord our God is the Creator of all.
Again in Proverbs 22:2 we read, “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.” Yes, the Lord is the Maker, the Creator, of us all; and this truth has a direct relationship to our position in life, our purpose for life, and our possession of life.
First, our position in life is that of the creature. In a comparison of ourselves with others, we may be richer or poorer than they are in the things of this world. In such a comparison, we may be richer or poorer in intellect, strength, health, talent, education, opportunity, wealth, authority, recognition, popularity, advancement, accomplishment, etc. Yet no matter how rich or poor we may be in comparison to others in the things of this world, we all stand on equal ground before the Lord our God. We all stand before Him as creatures before their Creator. Therefore, we all equally should bow down in humility before the Lord.
Second, our purpose for life is that of the worshiper. In Proverbs 16:4 the truth is presented, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Even so, Revelation 4:11 reveals that those in heaven fall down before the Lord and worship Him, saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” We were not created for ourselves. We all were created for the glory and pleasure of the Lord our God and Creator. Therefore, we all should live our lives wholly unto the glory of the Lord. Yet if we might choose rather to live in wicked rebellion against the Lord, the warning is given that even then the Lord shall be glorified through His judgment upon us. He will be glorified in us, either through our willing service unto Him or through His fierce judgment upon us.
Third, our possession of life is that of a steward. In Proverbs 20:12 the truth is presented, “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” Herein “the hearing ear” and “the seeing eye” represent that which the Lord our God has given us for our progress and pursuits in this life. “The hearing ear” represents all that the Lord has given us for our learning, growth, and progress in life; and “the seeing eye” represents all that the Lord has given us for our focus, direction, and pursuits in life. Yet we must ever remember that He has given these things to us as a stewardship. He is the Creator of our “hearing ear.” He is the Creator of our “seeing eye.” He is the Creator of all that He has given into our possession. Yea, He is the Creator and Owner of all that we have. Therefore, we all should use our time, talent, and treasure completely in service to the Lord.
The Lord our God is the Observer of all.
Everything that we are and everything that we do is known and seen by the Lord our God. Nothing escapes His notice or His knowledge.
First, this is true of our spiritual condition. In Proverbs 15:3 the truth is presented, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” At any given moment, the Lord our God sees and knows whether we are walking in righteousness or unrighteousness, in godliness or wickedness, in obedience or sin. He sees and knows the true spiritual condition of our lives.
Second, this is true of our daily conduct. In Proverbs 5:21 the truth is presented, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” Whether it is done publicly or privately, He sees and knows. We cannot hide our conduct from Him. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Third, this is even true of our heart’s character. In Proverbs 15:11 the truth is presented, “Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?” The Lord our God does not just see and know the condition of our walk. He also sees and knows the character of our hearts. He sees and knows our deepest thoughts, feelings, desires, and motives.
The Lord our God is the Judge of all.
In Proverbs 16:2 the truth is presented, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.” Again in Proverbs 21:2 the truth is presented, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” Yet again in Proverbs 17:3 the truth is presented, “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” We may justify our conduct in our thoughts to ourselves and in our words to others. Yet the true judge of our conduct is the Lord. It is not our standard of what is clean and right that matters, but His standard. Furthermore, the Lord our God does not simply weigh and try the conduct of our lives, but also the character of our hearts behind that conduct. He not only sees and knows, but also weighs and tries the character of our hearts, that is – the character of our thoughts, our feelings, our desires, and our motives. This then is the question – Is the character of our heart right with the Lord our God?
The Lord our God is the Director of all.
We may establish our plans, purposes, and pursuits for our lives. Yet the Lord our God establishes the consequences, conditions, and circumstances of our lives.
First, He directs the progress of our lives. In Proverbs 16:9 the truth is presented, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
Second, He directs the successes of our lives. In Proverbs 16:33 the truth is presented, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
Third, He directs the responses of our authorities. In Proverbs 21:1 the truth is presented, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Again in Proverbs 29:26 the truth is presented, “Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.”
Fourth, He directs beyond our understanding. In Proverbs 20:24 the truth is presented, “Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?”
Finally, His direction cannot be thwarted. In Proverbs 19:21 the truth is presented, “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” Again in Proverbs 21:30 the truth is presented, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
Therefore, let us trust in the Lord, commit our way unto the Lord, and follow after the Lord, in order that He might direct our lives in wisdom, safety, and blessing. “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.” (Proverbs 2:6-8) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3) “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31) “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” (Proverbs 10:29)
Posted in Proverbs for Life, The Creator God, Knowledge of the Lord, God Our Judge, Sovereingty of the Lord
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