FOUNTAINS OF WISDOM-A STUDY IN PROVERBS PART 48-Out of Brokenness to Glorious Joy
Where do we turn when we are wearied by this journey and how can we prevail when we recognize our own frailties as ministers for Christ. If indeed we take to heart the commission that we are to go into the entire world to preach the gospel; yet, we find it nearly impossible to even tell our co-worker because we recognize our own frailties in living forth the gospel—then how do we evangelize?
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Too often, we hesitate to tell someone about Christ in us—fearful that they will then look too closely at our failures to hold our tongue, restrain our temper, or conquer sin in our own lives. If they look too closely, they might think us a fraud and then harm the work of the gospel instead of spreading it.
Agur was such a man—a humble evangelist who questioned the fact that God would or could use him. As I studied these verses to prepare for you this word, I found that there are wide variances in the thought as to who is Agur and whether there were real people name Ithiel and Ucal. Some say these were not literal people and perhaps that does not matter. What does matter is that God has chosen to include this chapter in His word and hence has Himself validated the wisdom found within.
Proverbs 30 (YLT) “1.Words of a Gatherer, son of an obedient one, the declaration, an affirmation of the man: — I have wearied myself [for] God, I have wearied myself [for] God, and am consumed.”
As ambassadors of Christ we are pilgrims in a foreign land. We are caught between the righteousness which has been imparted to us by our adoption into the family of God and the evil fleshly desires that still lurk within and the temptations that surround us. We are like Paul who cries out in Romans 7 against that sin which still abides within his flesh and is at enmity with God. The writer of Proverbs 30 is brought low by his own inabilities as well. The more he saw of God’s Glory, the more that was God had revealed to him; the more unworthy he felt and he wearied of his own frailty and failures as is evidenced by verses 2-4.
2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? (Proverbs 30 KJV)
So, if the more knowledge we have of God the more wearied we become of our own evil, sin nature; then, how can we ever stand up. Is there any hope of victory against this sin nature? Is there any hope of joy while here on earth? How do I have strength to testify for Christ?
Our hope amazingly arises within us when we have reached the very end of our self. Our hope rises from the ashes of our broken hearts after our spirits have been humbled by our own ineptness to perform. Then, out of the midst of that emptiness hope springs forth as we turn to the promises of God and recognize “He’s got this!” He will finish the work He began in us. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. He is the only way and He will accomplish all that He has planned in you and through you. There IS our JOY. Proverbs 30: (NIV) “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
God will always keep His promises. He has spoken and it will be done according to His loving plans for my life. That is part of the Glorious mystery and beauty of the Gospel. The only power over sin I have is the victory won by Christ and that victory is released through Him. I keep seeking Him, loving Him and following after Him. Then, He transforms my heart from the inside out, one tiny glory at a time; and this because He unveiled my eyes that I might behold Him.
2 Corinthians 3 (YLT) “ 17 And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty;18 and we all, with unveiled face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
We become like Paul, in 2 Corinthians “10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
This is again part of the Glorious Mystery of the Gospel. We have hearts overflowing with love, joy, and hope springing forth out of brokenness and sorrow.
Let me end with this quote from Jonathan Edwards who has said it much more eloquently than I.
All gracious affections, which are a sweet odour to Christ, filling the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancy, are brokenhearted affections. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is an humble broken-hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires; their hope is an humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory, is an humble, broken-hearted joy, leaving the Christian more poor in spirit, more like a little child, and more disposed to an universal lowliness of behaviour. Jonathan Edwards (Religious Affections)
Let us sing along with Hillsong With All I Am
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
New International Version (NIV)
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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