Takeaways from Proverbs 11
(Day 4 of #ProverbsHesedWisdomChallenge to read a chapter from the Book of Proverbs each day which corresponds to the date as suggested by Pastor Joseph Prince in 7 Jan 2018’s Vision Sunday sermon -
http://www.miltongoh.net/miltons-blog/the-year-of-hesed-wisdom-vision-sunday-new-creation-church-theme-of-the-year-2018 ):
Only humble people can receive God’s Hesed wisdom.
Proud people will be put to shame when they realize that they don’t have true wisdom.
“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2 NKJV)
There is no point having material riches without having the greatest blessing of all: the gift of salvation.
If you don’t have Jesus, you have nothing. If you have Jesus, you will get everything.
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
(Proverbs 11:4, 28 NKJV)
Are you troubled over what wicked people are doing to you or saying about you?
Remember that God is on your side and He will protect and fight for you - just place your full trust in Him.
Whatever the wicked people have planned to harm you, God will counter that and it will ruin them instead. God is your Shield who covers you - you are not defenseless or alone!
“The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.
Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.”
(Proverbs 11:5, 8, 21 NKJV)
By what knowledge does the righteous get delivered?
It is by the knowledge of Jesus and who they are in Him.
Once you know that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, that Jesus has paid for all your sins and you have complete forgiveness with God, you can reign in life with the abundance of grace given to you!
“The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9 NKJV)
If you are a believer, pray for your city and nation!
You are God’s mouthpiece by which He can set up His kingdom of earth and be given the consent to carry out His will on earth as it is in heaven.
We all have the gift of free will so God can’t force His blessings upon us.
However if we keep asking for it through prayer, God will surely grant it to us.
“By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” (Proverbs 11:11 NKJV)
Did something or someone trigger negative emotions of anger, jealousy, hatred etc in you?
Choose to understand that God has forgiven you despite the overwhelming sinfulness in your life.
In light of this you can forgive others and hold your peace too.
Those who know they are forgiven much, love much.
“He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.” (Proverbs 11:12 NKJV)
After seeking God first, also seek advice from someone or some people you trust who are wise.
For example, my wife is my counselor as well who gives me good advice when I most need it.
Some people are placed in our life by God to help us. Recognize such people and value their advice.
Such people could be your Pastor, cell group leader, spouse, family member, best friend, etc.
It doesn’t mean that whatever they say is correct all the time -
be open to their advice, but always pray about it to God and follow His leading.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14 NKJV)
When you forgive others easily, you are actually benefiting your soul: your mind, will and emotions.
However when you bear grudges, always plotting evil and taking revenge, you actually harm your body.
Forgive others for your own sake, and especially because we we are all people who are forgiven of much.
We were once sinners who were God’s enemies, but have since received His glorious grace.
“The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17 NKJV)
God promises that when you share about the gospel of grace with others, you have a sure reward!
It is wise to win souls because you heap up eternal rewards in heaven for yourself - God is most interested in saving people so that carries the best reward you can get!
“The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.”
(Proverbs 11:18, 30 NKJV)
Generous people will become rich, stingy people will become poor.
God will enrich the generous so that they can continue to give and even give more than before - they are blessed to be a blessing.
Have a generous heart and be willing to share with others, especially with fellow believers for God is very happy when we are generous like Him -
freely we have received from Him, so we can freely give too.
“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.” (Proverbs 11:24-26 NKJV)
As a believer, you rewards are not only in the future in heaven, but on earth also!
Believers don’t have to suffer and live in poverty on earth. That’s not God’s will.
You can enjoy the good life that Jesus died to give you.
Those who commit evil will also get their negative consequences here on earth, not just when they are cast into hell and the lake of fire.
God is just, let Him be the One to exact justice - don’t be self-righteous or become a vigilante.
You can’t be more just or effective than God Himself.
“If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.” (Proverbs 11:31 NKJV)
What are your takeaways from Proverbs 11? Do share them with me as well! 🙂
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