2018 Dec 06 Proverbs 6, Psalms, Matthew 6
2018 Dec 06 Proverbs 6, Psalms, Matthew 6
Welcome to all, wishing the best this day! Let's pick up in Proverbs 6, verses 12-19:
"12 A useless and wicked man walks about with crooked speech; 13 He winks with his eye, signals with his foot, and motions with his fingers. 14 With a perverted heart, He is always scheming evil and spreading contentions. 15 Therefore, his disaster will come suddenly; In a moment he will be broken beyond healing. 16 There are six things that Jehovah hates; Yes, seven things that he detests: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart plotting wicked schemes, and feet that run quickly to evil, 19 A false witness who lies with every breath, And anyone sowing contentions among brothers."
Prov 6:12 Crooked speech can involve a covering over of true intentions, of what is in one's heart to do deceptively. This person may say all the right things to all the right people to sound truthful, but may be covering over hatred for others and evil intentions. God sees the truth, and he cannot cover such things indefinitely.
Prov 6:13,14 His actions may speak the truth about his real intentions and ideas, scheming evil and slanderously putting down those he hates, those who would expose his evil. His words thus cause division among others, not truly bringing peace among brothers.
Prov 6:15 Such a person needs to urgently repent of wrongdoing, and turn around, to receive "seasons of refreshing from Jehovah himself." (Acts 3:19). Otherwise, s/he is heading for terrible disaster, being "broken beyond healing."
Prov 6:16-19 Jehovah reveals what he hates, or detests, as we should. Most scheming people have both "haughty eyes" and "a lying tongue." They arrogantly flatter themselves, and look down on many others, not 'considering others as superior' to themselves. (Psal 36:2; Phps 2:3). Truly great persons are to be ministers, or willing slaves to others. They also, as we should, speak the truth in their heart. (Psal 15:2,3). Those practicing evil have a heart that 'plots wicked schemes' and feet that 'run quickly to evil.' We should hate such things, hating what is bad in God's eyes. "O you who love Jehovah, hate what is bad. He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked."
The next 8 verses of Psalm 119 all begin with the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
"41 May I experience your loyal love, O Jehovah, Your salvation in harmony with your promise; 42 Then I will reply to the one taunting me, For I put my trust in your word. 43 Do not utterly remove the word of truth from my mouth, For I have hoped in your judgment. 44 I will keep your law constantly, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk about in a place of safety, For I search for your orders. 46 I will speak about your reminders in front of kings, And I will not be ashamed. 47 I am fond of your commandments, Yes, I love them. 48 I will raise my hands to your commandments, which I love, And I will ponder over your regulations"
Reasonably, God's promised salvation is linked with experiencing His loyal love. May we have such love for God. As James 4:8 recommends, "Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you." The psalmist expresses determination to keep God's law constantly, forever and ever. As 1John 5:3 says, even for true Christians of faith, "This is what the love of God means, that we observe His commandments, and yet his commandments are not burdensome." True faith makes possible true righteousness by faith. We can become increasingly righteous in our conduct as we put full faith and trust in God and His word, growing in love for Him and all others. After expressing fondness for God's commandments, the psalmist says simply regarding them: "Yes, I love them." May we likewise appreciate the beauty of God's laws in harmony with the intent of true love and peace with others.
In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he says at Matthew 6:5,6: "5 “Also, when you pray, do not act like the hypocrites, for they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the main streets to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you." Thus having the motive of seeking glory from men by our conduct causes one to become hypocritical in their worship. Rather, it is God's glory and honor that we should be seeking. Is He not far greater than any other, as our Creator? Thus we should be praying privately, at times without the knowledge of others, and seeking the will of God first. Then we might truly expect God's blessing upon our prayers and upon our efforts in harmony with them.


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