““I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense], And I find knowledge and discretion 13“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the LORD includes the hatred of evil;  Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. 14“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power and strength are mine. 15“By me kings reign And rulers decide and decree justice. 16“By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge and govern rightly. 17“I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.18“Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God). 19“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield is better than choicest silver. 20“I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,21That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches, And that I may fill their treasuries.

Proverbs 8:12-21 AMP

We see here the connection between morality, common sense, and prosperity.  In a day and age where it seems that common sense has taken a vacation, the Word give us hope that if we stay the course, there is great reward! We see the greedy prospering and those walking in perverse ways seem to be gaining in stature. I am reminded about Psalms 

“Truly God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. 3For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pains in their death, Their body is fat and pampered. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind. 6Therefore pride is their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe].7Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires]; The imaginations of their mind run riot [with foolishness]. 8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak loftily [with malice]. 9They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue swaggers through the earth.”

Psalms 73:1-9 AMP

The Psalmist says, “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.” The world wants us to believe that God’s ways are not really the way of modern man. God must change to meet the ever-changing needs of mankind. This is ever so true in the new religion of gender assignment. It is an imagination of the foolishness of their mind as they mock the ways of nature and morality. How was ti then that the Psalmist was not persuaded to follow them in their ways?

“When I considered how to understand this, It was too great an effort for me and too painful 17Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood [for I considered] their end. 18Surely You set the wicked-minded and immoral on slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19How they are destroyed in a moment! They are completely swept away by sudden terrors! 20Like a dream [which seems real] until one awakens, O Lord, when stirred, [You observe the wicked], You will despise their image”

Psalm 73:16-20 AMP

It was when he “came into the sanctuary of the God; Then I understood their end.” God has always said that I will tell you the truth. It might not be easy, liked, or even acceptable to ur flesh but, God will always speak the truth. The reality is that if we want all the blessings and benefits of the Word of God then we must be conformed to the image of Christ in our lives. I love the fact that the above verse doesn’t say that God hates the people acting in unrighteous ways but rather the image of their way!

 We are not living in easy times. The way of the righteous is getting harder and harder and becoming a threat to those who practice their evil ways. It is easy to single out a group to focus our frustration on but the reality is that battle is not against people! The Apostle Paul gives us the best advice for these days,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.13Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].”

Ephesians 6:12-13 AMP

Let me encourage you today to let your light shine brightly amid these dark days for the darkness will never overcome the light! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken