Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
- Proverbs 28:8-14
Proverbs 28:11 ”This contrasts the discerning poor with the rich man, who is deceived by his self-confidence. Riches are not always possessed by the unrighteous and wisdom by the poor, but, more often than not, this is the case due to the blinding nature of wealth (cf. 11:28; 18:23; Matt. 19:23, 24).”
- John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)
The Message
I have recently mentioned that I think the smartest member of organized crime designed the MEDICARE system. Why make something so complicated when dealing with older people who may not have much money? If it was a “pencil-necked” bureaucrat, do we need that kind of people working for the government?
Proverbs 28:9 poses an interesting question. We keep saying that God listens to our prayers, but if we ignore wisdom, ignore sage advisors, and ignore what God says in the Bible, does He listen to that prayer? Or does He listen to that prayer and determine what He is not going to do for us? At some point, God needs to get our attention.
I know Proverbs 28:10 too well. I am not saying that I have lived a blameless life, but I have had Jesus in my heart for over fifty years. Yet, I have been guided down wrong paths. The one doing the guiding will fall, but God promises to never leave the ones who have Him in their hearts. Thus, God has guided me back onto the right path.
The rich man being wise in his own eyes is the problem here. As Rev. MacArthur states, it is hard for a rich person to let go of their storehouse of supplies in order to trust in God, but moreover, it is hard for the rich to rely on God for their decisions, when their decisions thus far have added to their wealth.
I would say Proverbs 28:12 would have been true not long ago, but now, the wicked continuously fight against the righteous regardless of what the majority of the voters have decided. But we live in a very sick and broken world that defies wisdom.
It is so easy to hide those “victimless” sins. You might pretend they never happened, but they hurt you. Besides not growing in the faith, they put a chink in your character that may show in one way or another. Confession is what God requires, and it works best.
Proverbs 28:14 sounds like the fear of God at first, but then what is the hardening of our heart? We can be humble before God and let God make the next move, or we can demand our will be done. I have heard there are two kinds of people who are judged at the End Times. There are those who let God’s will be done. And there are those who God allows their will to be done – ignoring God leads to going where God is not there, the Lake of Fire.
And now let us sing.
The following song is Forgive Me, Lord. This is sung by Surgenor Music.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom. Help us to value wisdom. These proverbs are similar to those of last week, but they sometimes point within. Yes, the wicked can oppress the poor and they can guide us down the wrong path, but there was something within us that wanted what we thought was on that wrong path. Whether rich or poor, we can think ourselves wise and above your guidance, Lord. And confession is necessary. Turning from sin is necessary. Help us to realize that You are God and we are not. In thy Name we pray.
Amen
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
Hi ,
(Proverbs 28 :14 ) says :’ Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.’
The verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is one way of explanation about, fearing God :_
(Luke 12: 5 ) states :Jesus said “ I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
A) We have to fear God, while
doing the following things _:
##############
1) Keeping His commandments.
!) (Eccle. 12:13 ) states :’ Fear God & keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.’
!!) (Deu. 5:29 ) states :’God said, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me & to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them & with their descendants forever.’
2) While walking in His truth.
(Psalm 86:11 ) says : Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.’
3) Cleansing ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit.
(2 Corinthians 7:1) says :’Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defile ment of body & spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.’
4) While working out our own salvation.
(Phili. 2:12-13 ) states :’Work out your own salvation with fear & trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will & to work for His good pleasure.’
5) ln loving the brotherhood .
(1 Peter 2:17 ) says :’Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.’
6) ln serving God.
(Psalm 2:11 ) says : ‘Serve the Lord with fear & rejoice with trembling.’
7) Have to turn away from evil.
(Proverbs 16 :6) states :’ By the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.’
(Proverbs 8:13 ) says :’The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.’
(Proverbs 3:7 ) states :’Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord,& turn away from evil.’
B) (Prov. 28:14 )states : ‘Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.’
lf we fear God, we get the following blessings _:
############
!) God’s mercy.
(Luke 1: 50 ) says : ‘ His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.’
!!) Goodness of God.
(Psalm 31:19 ) says : ‘Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who
fear you.’
!!!) Friendship of the Lord.
(Psa. 25:14 ) states : ‘ The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him.’
!v) Compassion of The Lord.
(Psa.103:13 ) states :’ As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows comp assion to those who fear him. ‘
v) Strong confidence.
(Pro. 14: 26,27 ) states :’ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. ‘
v!) Long life. (Prov. 10 : 27 )
vii) Knowledge & wisdom.
(Proverbs 1:7 ) states : The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.’
(Job 28 :28 ) states :‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, is wisdom & to turn away from evil is understanding.’
(Psalm 111:10 ) says :’All those who practice wisdom have a good understanding!.’
viii) We will not be visited by harm.
(Proverbs 19 : 23 ) states :’ The fear of the Lord leads to life, & whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.’
ix) Riches, & honor
(Proverbs 22 : 4) says :’The reward for humility & fear of the Lord is riches, honor & life.’
x) The person is praised.
(Proverbs .31: 30 )states :’Charm is deceitful & beauty is vain, but a woman whofears the Lord is to be praised.’
xi) God’s help & shield.
(Psa. 115 : 11 ) states :’You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help & their shield.’
And,
xii) God’s protection.
(Psalm 145 :19 ) states :’He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry saves them.’
These are biblical examples who feared God.
#############
1) Abraham (Genesis 22:12)
2) Job (Job 1:1, 8)
3) Joseph (Genesis 42:18)
4) Moses (Exodus 3:6)
5) Noah (Hebrews 11:7)
6) King David (Psalm 86:11; 145:19)
7) Hannah (1 Samuel 1:12-20)
8) Daniel (Daniel 6)
9) Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55)
10) The church of Judea, Galilee & Samaria.(Acts 9 : 31)
The consequence of not
fearing God will be _:
##########
(Malachi 3:5 ) states : “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against those who thrust aside the sojourner, & do not fear
me, says the Lord of hosts.’
(Heb. 10: 26-31 ) states :’ For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment,& a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”
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