Proverbs 11:4 - It's All Going to Burn

Proverbs 11:4

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But righteousness delivers from death. 

Message: It's All Going to Burn

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Our pastor on Sunday did a lesson from Proverbs on gratitude. Along the way, he explained Proverbs and the different ways the verses in this book are mentioned. Well, I am still focused on these contrasting phrases and continuing to read and walk through them.

Today, it is riches and the reminder that riches do not profit at the end or in the day of wrath. This seems to be the day of judgement. Friends and I will often say, "It is all going to burn" meaning that we really should not put our focus on wealth. The pastor's lesson on Sunday was basically the idea of giving and you will receive with verses like 11:24, "the one who scatters increases all the more" and 11:25, "the generous man will be prosperous." I studied Philippians 4 where Paul says in verse 17, "giving....increases to your account." This idea of giving will make us rich. I am not sure if that means monetary payback always, but maybe just the feeling that a person hast not been focused on wealth and accumulation, but rather in helping others and helping others is a good thing. 

In my life, I have gone from a 600 square foot one bedroom apartment to a 1300 square foot house to start a family and then to a 2050 square foot house the last 21 years now. I can't imagine going up any more. There is no need. At times, I think this house is too large. I try to not focus on accumulation. Plenty of people have needs and it makes no sense for me to have a lot and them to have a little. 

But, today the lesson is really more on the end and the day of judgment and the simple message that at the end, it really will not matter how much money you have. God will not be judging you on money accumulation, but rather on our heart and our lives and how they were lived. Ultimately, I am a sinner, saved by grace. Christ saves me because of what Christ did, not me. I understand this and believe this. I believe in God and that He is creator and this world is His and I surrender to Him. He provides me peace then to live life in a way in which life is full. Life isn't only about one thing when it comes to me and living. And from Solomon's perspective, it is righteous living. It is righteousness. 

But wealth matters. It seems that I will be judged on what I have done with my money. More and more I am having a hard time with wealth accumulation. I am struggling with this idea of having new things at times and the need for nice and pristine. We are flawed people and yet we don't want our cars to be flawed with dents. We want it all to be good, looking nice, and never a problem. And so from a money situation, I am struggling with riches, especially when there is such an imbalance in life. It is a struggle to me that people have this need to have no wants and everything is taking care of in this life. 

Everything in our life is wearing down. The car needs to be fixed. Yet, sometimes people get lucky and have a car that lasts. They don't get in accidents. We have a fridge that we bought 5 1/2 years ago. It has been great. But now, it is not working and has errors. Our bill to repair it is now approaching half of what we paid. And the concern I think is whether it will be fixed ever again. Or will we have to start over. These things happen. We don't like them. We like life to be running well, with pristine looking appliances versus accepting everything that is broken. And yet in all of that we have comfort. We have clothes to wear, food to eat, good jobs and a lot of joy with family and friends and people. 

So focus on right-living. Focus on righteousness. I review these words again. 

10:3 - The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger. 

10:6 - Blessings are on the head of the righteous. 

10:7 - The memory of the righteous is blessed.

10:11 - The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

10:16 - The wages of the righteous is life.

10:20 - The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver.

10:21 - The lips of the righteous feed many. 

10:24 - The desire of the righteous will be granted. 

10:25 - The righteous has an everlasting foundation. 

10:28 - The hope of the righteous is gladness.

10:30 - The righteous will never be shaken.

10:31 - The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom. 

10:32 - The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable. 

And now 11:4 - Righteousness delivers from death. 

Rather than being rich, what matters is righteousness for that delivers from death. 

And this is my quest still, righteousness.

Summary: O God, I want to be this type of person. A righteous person. That's what I want. I want to do my work right and do things well and make good decisions and make things better. I think I have. I have tried, but still I make mistakes. Like the fridge, sometimes I have to start over. But you love me and know me and I am so thankful for that. I struggle God at work with those people that don't meet my expectations. I struggle with it at home, with it everywhere. I said it in front of people that I am trying to meet people's expectations and anticipate them. Help me God. Help me to give myself grace when I need it. Help me to rest in who you have made me to be. Help me to have moments of celebration where I feel like what I have done is good. It is hard to be on this quest of constant improvement. I get tired with it God. Make me God the person you want me to be. And let that be enough. And then take me home to You. Whatever you want me to go through, I will do it. Selfishly, I want to live this life now and figure out what I can do for me and how to help others. I want to do this Lord. I want to be righteous and want this in others. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Romans 1:18-32 - The Sins of the Gentiles

Romans 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Message: The Sins of the Gentiles

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Back in 2014 and 2015, I did a study in the book of Romans, following Tabletalk and these verses comprised 7 lessons. This section of scripture has always been one of my favorites after taking time to memorize this in the 90s. 

Now I move to a study on Justification - sola fide - and justification by faith alone and it begins with this passage. The first 8 chapters of Romans is about revelation or doctrine and then the remaining chapter is application 

Before diving into the message from the writers of this devotion, I first look at this text for review myself. I love it. Verse 19 says that God is evident within. God made it this way. He made man to know Him and yet man left to his own devices does not honor Him as God or give thanks (v 21). It is clear that this must be awakened in mankind. But I so love Paul's description of what happens to man if He is not awakened. It reminds me that we live in a world that does not honor Him. We should not be surprised, in a way, and yet we should be moved therefore to be part of this awakening of man. But, the gist of this passage is describing the Sins of the Gentiles. And after man does not honor God he/she looks within for the answer as they became futile in their speculations, but then something really sobering occurs as Paul says three times in verse 24, 26, and 28 how God gave them over which I believe is the same idea as God hardening. These verses speak of hardening of our bodies, our passions, and our mind. In other words, everything is changed.

I turn to the devotional now - the reason we need to be declared righteous is because without that declaration we are unrighteous. This is a fact. This is certain. Mankind is lost. 

Let's remember, we are accustomed to think the wrath of God is poured out right now against sin. But rather God's wrath is coming in a final Day of The Lord as mentioned in Isaiah 13:9-16. I read this and it horrific mentioning the day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury, and burning anger...He will exterminate its sinners...the sun will be dark...the moon will not shed its light...I will punish the world for its evil...will make man scarcer...make the heavens tremble and the earth will be shaken. 

So the wrath that is spoken of here is a revealing or showing of God's wrath, today, as God hands sinners over to their sin. As mankind is given over to their sin, God's wrath is seen. People want sin. They want to ignore God and do things their own way and so God is letting them and so they give the people what they want. In the process of all of this, sin is celebrated. 

O how we are seeing this today. We have celebrations and parades and tolerance is becoming mandated in our schools. Dependence on God is traded for dependence on our government and whatever they say we follow as true. All of this is storing up wrath (Romans 2:5) for people in the day of the Lord that is coming. In my words, we are manufacturing and dispensing God's wrath today for when God will pour it all out One Day.   

Promise: No matter what people's transgressions are, God still rescues people who He has handed over to their sin. 

Prayer: Lord, I love seeing You show me the truth of our lives. It is sobering and sad. Thank you for placing the knowledge of You in everyone, but it is sad to see people not honor You or give You thanks for the life that you have given in creating them. People think they are so clever in their speculations. Thank you once again God for saving me. People need to be awakened to You God. And you call me to be involved in this awakening by declaring it to people. Thank you for the reminders you give continually for me to be involved in this. Help me to remain faithful to Your calling on my life. Your Word continues to illuminate me and speak to me but I want to be have more than head knowledge and act. Show people, like my son, the nasty result of seeking out his own way for happiness and joy. Not even the scent smells good. The warning signs are there. Awaken your truth to him, to all those in my care. I honor and thank you God. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Mark 13:32-37 - The Call to Stay Awake

Mark 13:32-37
32 But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.35 Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.37 What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Message: The Call to Stay Awake

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Chapter 13 has all been about the Olivet Discourse, from Mark's perspective. These are prophetic words spoken by Jesus upon him leaving Jerusalem, having been questioned repeatedly by different religious leaders of the day. My guess is when I have read this text in the past, I thought it was speaking of Jesus' 2nd coming and perhaps section of it does speak of this, but the majority I have seen leads up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and then the fleeing of the Jews from Jerusalem and eventually spreading the gospel message to many regions.

This passage concludes the Olivet Discourse. After a first reading, it has some interesting words from Jesus, some unexpected. He begins by saying, But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. It would seem in these verses that Jesus is speaking on information that the Father has, but he does not. I would think that perhaps as the son of Man, at this point, being fully man and walking the earth as a man, he does not speak in a way that communicates an all-knowing perspective. Tabletalk states, "Jesus reveals His ignorance." His acts have consistently been divine like: settling the storm on the water, walking on the water, healing the blind and lame, forgiving sin, and speaking continually with the same authority as the Father. So Jesus, as the Son of Man here does not know the time. As the Son of God, he knows the time. I think I will see that upon his resurrection He will have a different way of speaking about divine matters.

Now what verse 32 is speaking about is a mystery. It could be that verse 32 refers to the time of Jerusalem's destruction during the first century. Or it could be rendered that verse 32 moves from talk of the fall of Jerusalem to the Day of judgment. The word but could communicate this contrast in subject. Thus, I believe that verse 30 which speaks of the fact that this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened is talking about the fall of Jerusalem. But of that day or hour;hour here is better translated season, so the day or season is not known as hour is a component of a day so it would be repetitive to say day or hour.

In verse 33 and following, Jesus remarks that the people of God are to be on the alert - so whether it is the fall of Jerusalem or the Day of Judgment, the people of God are not to be obsessive in figuring out the time, but rather they are to take on a roll of being on the alert for when it happens they will not be surprised. This means that these words can be applied to our present situation of waiting for Jesus's 2nd coming. The important thing is to be on the alert for the time is not known. Yet, we are not only to be on the alert as in verse 34 Jesus remarks in an example that we are Jesus slaves and we have a task to do.  It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task. As I am on the alert, I am also doing a task. Jesus has been very clear that the church has a task to do in preaching the gospel to all people, everywhere.

Summary - Jesus continues to speak and either speaks of the uncertain time of the destruction of Jerusalem or the future judgment, Day of the Lord, as is spoken of in Daniel. No matter what is being discussed, what he is telling his followers is to be on the alert. Yes, they have a task to do during this period of waiting but they are not to figure out the time but instead be obedient to their calling.

Promise: People Get Ready does not mean we sit and wait, but we work and wait, staying on the alert.

Prayer: Thank you for this passage of scripture Lord and communicating your truths. I appreciate that it is hard to understand what you were saving some 2000 years ago for I am fine with not feeling like I must understand everything now. You would reveal your truths at the appropriate time. What I do know is I need to be ready and be on the alert.

Malachi 4

Message: Contrasting those who fear His name with those who don't and He overcomes.

Time: See Malachi 1; Also, as a reminder, the Jews of this time thought God was unfaithful, but could it rather be they were unfaithful. Difficult to Date but...Circa 445-420BC

What the Lord is Saying:

Verse 1: The Day of the Lord is coming. And this day will be unlike any other day. It states this day will come "like a furnace burning." Fire often accompanies the judgment day of the Lord. It speaks of the day of judgment being a day when the arrogant and wicked or those that proudly stood in opposition from God will be like chaff, easily blown away. At this time, they will be not able to spring up or rise up for they won't be a root, nor branch. 

Verse 2: And here we have a contrast to those who Fear His Name. The sin of righteousness will rise to, not to all, but only to those who fear His Name. And our response to this being raised up will be like calves let out of a stall. We will run free.

Verse 3:: And the righteous will tread on the wicked. The wicked were always seen to have had success, but here, most assuredly, they will be under the feet of those who fear God.

Don't lose heart. The wicked seem like they prevail often, but in the end the righteous will tread on the wicked.

And 4-6 is interesting. We look back to the Law and remember it. We get ready for Elijah and his coming. Elijah will be the next prophet. And we look forward and remember the special relationship of fathers and their children.

1. Don't ignore my kids
2. Watch my words - don't express disapproval or put-downs
3. Don't have a spirit of disappointment towards them
== From John Piper message on this chapter.

Promise: Stand firm until the end. Glories await the chosen ones of God.