2020 Mar 04-Mar 05 Proverbs 7, Psalm 119 Stanza 16A
2020 Mar 04-Mar 05 Proverbs 7, Psalm 119 Stanza 16A
Here we find encouragement to avoid the trappings of an immoral woman:
“24 And now, my sons, listen to me; Pay attention to the
words I speak. 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways. Do not
stray onto her paths, 26 For she has caused many to fall down slain, And
those she has killed are numerous. 27 Her house leads to the Grave; It
goes down to the inner chambers of death.”
Prove 7:24 Earlier, God reveals the “great persuasiveness” an immoral woman may use to mislead a young man into her clutches. Sexual immorality is not true love, causing participants to stray from God’s loving, loyal, ways of faithfulness for an eternity of happiness with a loyal marriage partner. Therefore, God’s words to young men and women are vital to protect themselves from such seduction and immoral thinking. If we do not accept God’s instructions carefully, we could be easily deceived into a wrong path. Jesus said “Therefore, pay attention to how you listen...” (Luke 8:18).
"25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways. Do not
stray onto her paths,"
Prove 7:25 We must protect our figurative heart, including our motives for acting, from corruption. Proverbs 4:23 says “23 Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart, For out of it are the sources of life.” Ideas may be presented to the mind, but we choose whether we stop up our ear, let it go in one ear and out the other, or we ponder, or meditate, upon the notion, which could allow it to penetrate our heart, stirring desire, and eventually prompting action. Thus we need to develop the discernment necessary to distinguish truth from falsehood, right from wrong, etc. to judge what we allow ourselves to ponder. It has been said that a bird might land on a person’s head, but what does he do about it—does he quickly shoo it away, or does he foolishly allow it to build a nest on his head?!? Shoo away wrong thoughts presented to us by others, and refuse to ponder wrong desires, as we learn to recognize and distinguish them. Rather, choose to ponder right thinking, protecting our hearts from leading us into sin.
"26 For she has caused many to fall down slain, And
those she has killed are numerous. 27 Her house leads to the Grave; It
goes down to the inner chambers of death.”
Prove 7:26-27 Such immorality can lead to spiritual death, great damage to our relationships with God and others. Without recovery, this is a sin that can bar one from God’s Kingdom and eternal life with a loyal marriage partner. Does this really make sense? (1Cori 6:9-11). For young ones, they should spend time preparing for adult, married life, learning to do the things that will please their spouse and contribute to the stability and happiness of their newfound family. Look to God in prayer to help you find the marriage partner that will truly make you happy—you needn’t worry excessively over missing the right one. Jehovah God has brought countless married couples together for a delightful relationship, both loving Him and each other. Cultivate first your relationship with God, learning to think wisely and make good, right decisions each day. Learn the personality of a true Christian, growing in your fondness for spiritual things, that will be a source of delightful conversation for an eternity.
_______All 8 of these verses show God looks after the welfare of His loyal servants, who practice what is just and righteous. How might understanding help us to know God’s reminders, and why should we highly value God’s commandments?
Stanza 16A:
121 I have done what is just and righteous. Do not abandon me to my oppressors!
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant; May the presumptuous not oppress me.
123 My eyes have grown weary waiting for your salvation And for your righteous promise.
124 Show your loyal love to your servant, And teach me your regulations.
121 I have done what is just and righteous. Do not abandon me to my oppressors!
STRIVE FOR BLAMELESS INTEGRITY. The psalmist here pleads for God’s protection on the basis of his adherence to the path of righteousness. Some would imagine that the ransom sacrifice of Christ somehow means we no longer have to practice what is right—What a mistake! Recall Jesus said, early in his Sermon on the Mount, “17 “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 Truly I say to you that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one smallest letter or one stroke of a letter to pass away from the Law until all things take place. 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to you that if your righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.” The ransom is primarily to cover our unintentional, occasional misses as we strive for the target of righteousness, or blameless integrity to God. (Romans 3:31; 6:15-17). With full faith in Christ, striving to carefully follow his example of righteousness and keep his commands, we may likewise appeal to God if being oppressed, as the psalmist requests in these two verses.
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant; May the presumptuous not oppress me.
FAITHFUL ENDURANCE, HOLDING FIRMLY. Going further, the psalmist wants his welfare guaranteed. While God has not promised that we won’t be harmed in some way in this system of things, He can look after our welfare, primarily our spiritual welfare—our well-being, and long-term relationships with God and God-fearing ones. The psalmist has been oppressed by presumptuous ones, at one point having been “greatly afflicted” (v.107). He stated: “92 If I had not been fond of your law, I would have perished in my affliction.” Yet he had things to learn. He said: “71 It is good that I have been afflicted, So that I may learn your regulations.” And he said: “67 Before I was afflicted, I used to go astray, But now I keep your saying.” Perhaps now that he is more familiar with God’s law and holding firmly to it as God’s “servant,” having done “what is just and righteous,” he appeals for greater protection from immodest, law-breaking presumptuous oppressors. Still, he recognizes: “75 I know, O Jehovah, that your judgments are righteous And that you have afflicted me in your faithfulness.” May we place our full trust in God, confident that: “13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” The goal is faithful endurance to God, holding firmly to His way, accepting what God permits, while hoping in the best possible outcome under the circumstances. Soon, God’s kingdom will usher in greater blessings, leading us to a world of righteousness and genuine peace earthwide! (Psalm 37:9-11; 2Peter 3:13).
123 My eyes have grown weary waiting for your salvation And for your righteous promise.
NEED FOR ENDURANCE. The psalmist acknowledges that we may have to learn “endurance”—having acquired the self-control or fortitude necessary to hold firmly to God’s standards—Christian endurance enables us to do so for a period of time, waiting on deliverance from God. Jehovah has promised eventual deliverance, but we realize that some faithful ones have had to endure years of oppression. As God’s kingdom draws ever nearer, the need for such prolonged endurance may lessen, but may we accept what God allows in faithfulness, confident in relief in God’s due time. James begins his exhortation with these words: “2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, 3 knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. 4 But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything.” Yes, we can learn to maintain joy, or deep satisfaction, doing right amidst troubles, as Christ stated: “11 “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.” Even those with Earthly Paradise hopes, like the prophets of old, will find great reward in such faithful endurance. Rather than tiring, Paul encourages examining Christ's example: "3 Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such hostile speech from sinners against their own interests, so that you may not get tired and give up." (Hebre 12:1-3). Certainly God will supply us needed strength to remain faithful! God's word says, for instance: "13 For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power." (Phili 4:13). Such endurance produces an even stronger hope in the promised eternal reward!
124 Show your loyal love to your servant, And teach me your [instructions].
LOYALLY AIM FOR THE RIGHT TARGET. The psalmist appeals to God for His expression of loyal love. With all that David had to endure from his enemies and from Saul, afterward he stated about Jehovah, at Psalm 18:25: “25 With someone loyal you act in loyalty; With the blameless man you deal blamelessly.” May we prove a servant of the Most High God, Jehovah, and seek to be taught even detailed instructions by Him, adhering to such faithfully. We may appeal to God on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Christ, to cover any sins as we strive to be obedient to Christian standards. Let us continue aiming for the target of righteousness, having faith, or deep trust, in Jehovah, knowing “6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.”


2025 5C/8C (7Hul-8Lsg2) Find Life and See (7-9) Proverbs B (8) CTC Corner and WGA-B (9) Godlove Home




