Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 47—Choose now or forever hold your peace.
As we turn to Proverbs 29, we see it begin with an ominous warning.
Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Stubbornness, pride and self reliance stand in the way of mankind seeking after God.
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Justice and judgment will come. We are asked to choose today whom we will follow. We do not know the hour of our death. We do not know the hour when God will call judgment upon a nation for their sin. We do not know the hour that God will call His church out of the world and the prophecies in revelation will be fulfilled.
Yet, we go about our lives as though the world revolves around us, our plans, our personal desires and wants for today. We moan and groan about taxes and government while for the most part we are unwilling to stand up for God’s truth; afraid to offend anyone. (Verses 2, 25) We seek our own pleasures more than we seek after God’s word (Verse 3). While seeking after man’s favor and man’s riches, we become easily swayed from the heart of our mission to speak the truth of the gospel to all who would hear (verses 4-8).
Should there not be urgency within each of us to spread the gospel to those whom we meet? Not with anger, argumentativeness—nor with lying enticements of the prosperity gospel (verses 8,9, and 11); but, we are to live out the gospel of Christ through gentleness of spirit, humility, and genuine care for the oppressed (verses 7, 13,14, and 23). We are to be ambassadors for Christ—having our own hearts set on fire by the Glory of God’s Great Grace toward us.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish:” (Proverbs 29:18)
Do you have a vision of eternity? Do you see God as the supreme desire of your life? Does His Glory consume all of you so that you find you must fall prostrate before Him to worship Him? Does His Glory, His Will and His purpose supersede your own?
And for those of you who do not know Christ as Your Savior, how long will you tarry? He has presented His word before you over and over. He has sent missionaries and teachers to enlighten you. You have stiffened your necks and rejected His pleas. I do bid you; if you hear His voice pleading with you; come now.
Romans 13: “knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Choose now whom you will serve, or forever hold your peace. Today is the day of Salvation. We do not have a promise of tomorrow.
So will you come to Christ today as He calls you to come. Listen to this song—“Just As I Am-I come Broken to be Mended”
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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