January 15, 2023

Dripping with Honey

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience], Incline your ear to my understanding; 2That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment), And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].”

Proverbs 5:1-2 AMP

Solomon once again opens this section with a reminder that what he is writing about isn’t only a good thought, but it is coupled with “costly experience.” It has been said that said that, “strength is wasted on youth.” It is implying that we as young adults have a very cavalier attitude about the realities of life! I often think of the things I did in ignorance and arrogance as a youth. These are things that I am ashamed of and embarrassed about now. And things that God’s grace has covered with the blood of Christ and forgiven me of completely. I still remember these things because I want to learn from my mistakes. But I know they are forgiven, and my sins are “as far as the East is from the West”. The Psalmist said it best,

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.

Psalms 25:7 AMP

If we are to walk together with God, we must be willing to take a position of humility and as the Scripture instructs us, “walk humbly with thy God!” (Micah 6:8) The Psalmist also reenforces this as he writes,

“Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. 10All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

Psalms 25:8-10 AMP

Look at verse 10, this is exactly what Solomon is trying to impart to the reader! He knows and speaks from experience the importance of following God’s paths! In verse 2 he encourages us to not only hear but to “exercise” the precepts that God is teaching us! Keeping God’s Word is a sure-fire method to avoid the painful lessons of life! Look again at Psalms 25,

“Who is the man who fears the LORD [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder]? He will teach him [through His word] in the way he should choose. 13His soul will dwell in prosperity and goodness, And his descendants will inherit the land. 14The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning. 15My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will bring my feet out of the net.”

Psalms 25:12-15 AMP

If in all these things we follow God, verse 2 closes with the words, “…and answer (to temptation.” The promise of the Word is that God will keep our foot from slipping down the slippery sloop of sin! Jesus reminded us,

“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. “ 

Matthew 7:24-25 AMP

Let me ask you, “Upon what kind of foundation are you building you life?” God has given us the keys to blessing or cursing, which are you choosing today?

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken