Walking into Trouble

For Friday, July 15, 2005
Proverbs 11:8

The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.

The wicked does not read warning labels. He ignores danger signs. He doesn't look both ways when crossing the street and prefers to take shortcuts through alleys and dark parks. He does not think wisely about danger, not so much thinking that he will be safe, but not thinking about the subject at all. He just acts, doing whatever pops in his mind.

There is also the person who is attracted to trouble, like a moth to a light. He does like to court danger; it is thrilling to him. He will test the limits and likes getting away with doing something forbidden or at least coming close.

And there is the person who wants to "experience" what others are doing, afraid that he is missing out on something good. So he will check out the parties, the late-night excursions, etc, "just to see" what's going on, thinking that he is wise enough, strong enough to resist temptation.

There is the person who exposes himself to temptation - the man who walks by the pornographic store, the wife who keeps running into the understanding male friend, and so on. We walk near trouble, telling ourselves we know when to step back, but all along we are really walking straight into trouble.

Pray to Christ to deliver you from your temptations. Read his Word for wisdom and for the promises of deliverance. Seek the help of Christian friends. Do what you need to do for deliverance; otherwise, you are walking into trouble.

Pity the Wicked

For Thursday, July 14, 2005
Proverbs 11:7

When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

Pity the wicked. Their hope will perish. All their dreams, what drives them to live, will vanish. If they are fortunate, their hope will perish while in their lifetime. Thus, they might come to their senses like the prodigal son, repent, and turn to God. But if they are not shown such mercy, their wealth and earthly success might grow, leaving them blind to their destiny. They are like the hypocrites that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6:16, who obtain their goal of receiving earthly recognition for false spirituality. They obtain their reward they are seeking, and it is all they will obtain, for God sees all and will give the appropriate eternal reward.

Has someone taken an inheritance that should have been yours? Has someone unethically taken credit you should have received, been promoted over you? Pray for God's mercy upon him. For his earthly success only serves to blind him to his poverty. But don't let his success blind you to your riches. What may the righteous in Christ expect? "An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:4-5). That is wealth beyond measure that you cannot lose. Now that's a good deal!

Ethics and Wisdom

For Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Proverbs 11:6

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

You should be picking up a theme by now: to be righteous is to be wise, which leads to success; to be wicked is to be foolish, which leads to failure. Because the focus of the righteous is to do what is right, God will deliver them; also, the focus on doing right, gives them clarity about reality and discernment into wisdom. The wicked on the other hand, have distorted views as to what is real - about themselves, about what is of real value, about how to achieve goals, etc. Thus, inevitably their ways lead to failure. Even if they achieve the goal of wealth, they become poor in the things that really matter - good name, loving relationships, productive lives, etc. - and more often than not, they lose their wealth.

Let's say a colleague at work is competing with you for advancement. If "wicked," he will choose foolish means of fulfilling his lust for wealth - flattery, brownnosing the boss, lying about you and about himself. He may work longer hours, sacrificing relations with his family. Because your concern is to follow the righteous path of Christ, focus on performing your job to the best of your ability, encouraging the performance of your colleagues, and being truthful and loving in Christ. More likely, you will advance because of the respect you have earned. But, even if the colleague advances, he is only setting himself up for a greater fall as he grows even more blind to where his conduct is leading him. You, on the other hand, though you may not advance as you desire, are developing the habits of a peaceful, productive life. Lust clouds good thinking; righteousness clears the clouds away.

Walking in Balance

For Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Provers 11:5

The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

How does the gymnast on the balance beam keep her balance? For one thing she keeps her head straight and eyes focused. To stay on the straight path, we must keep our head straight, following the righteous laws and commands of Scripture. Such laws steady us and keep us on the right track.

Even so, the very laws and commands of Scripture can be unnerving if we depend upon them to make us blameless. Indeed, they expose our wickedness. Whereas, we may have walked confidently in our illusion of self-righteousness, they unsettle us and tip us off the beam.

Our help, then, is found in Christ, our Righteousness. Stay focused on him. Keep your eyes upon him, upon the work he has already done for you in laying the path and placing you on it. Look to him know as he intercedes for you, as his Spirit steadies you. Look to the final destination where he will stand ready to bring you into glory. The wicked have only their own wits to help them navigate a treacherous world. The righteous have Christ, the Son of God, who is Lord over all to take them through the dangers of this world and bring them safely to glory. Keep focused.

Dying Well

For Monday, July 11, 2005
Proverbs 11:4

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

In medical news this morning a report was published that people with at least $70,000 in assets die better. Their last year of life is less painful, presumably because they can afford better healthcare and have more leverage in demanding good care.

But riches - be it $70,000 or $70 billion - will be of no avail at the final judgment. People speak of good and bad death. To die young or violently is a bad death; to die old and in one's sleep is a good death. The only good death, however, is to die in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Righteousness who delivers us from death.

Certainly, it is wise to prepare financially for one's death, especially if you have dependents. And it is good to keep healthy. But death is inevitable, if our Lord tarries in his return, and what matters is not how pain-free our death it, but whether or not it becomes the doorway into our Savior's arms.