Proverbs 28:25 says, "He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered."
Which of the two do you want to be? Which one might you be today? Which one could you be as the day rolls on?
There are two kinds of hearts mentioned here, one that is proud and stirs up strife, and one that trusts in the LORD and finds itself being prospered. Let's take a closer look at them.
He who is of a proud heart.....meaning, (a greedy spirit, , a wide heart, an enlarged heart ) this person stirs up, or meddles, is contentious, and the bring about strife, or discord, quarrels. Meddling is of course when we are involved in something that is not really our business, and contention is causing trouble.
But, he who is trusting in the LORD, finds prosperity. To trust is have confidence in the LORD, that is, in Jehovah, or "the existing one"
That trusting heart is going to find the LORD bringing prosperity into their lives. One of the meanings of prosperity is "to take away ashes" and "to anoint" It really means, to be enriched and blessed. Ashes are a picture for us of something that has been ruined through fire. When a fire has taken place, there is normally a clean-up that takes place.
The LORD is the one who will take away the ashes of the ruin of our lives or circumstances. And, He will anoint our lives with His forgiveness, and cleansing.
The Lord is the one who alone excels in cleaning up a ruined life. So, if by some chance you have been brought to some ruin, and there is nothing but ashes to show for what has happened, know that the LORD today, can come and make your life new, and bless your life, and enrich your life.
All you need to do, is to come to Him, and to ask Him for His Grace and His mercy, and He will freely give it to you. Remember, He loves you more then you know.
Father, thank You for who You are, and for what You do in our lives. We can make such a mess of things, but You can bless what we have broken.
In Jesus name amen.
Bob Grenier
Pastor Calvary Chapel Visalia
Applicational thoughts.
1. You can be different.
2. God changes lives.
3. You can go from ashes to blessings.
4. Have faith in God today.
5. God is the God of forgiveness and restoration.
6. Let Him work in you today. Just believe Him, and act upon His Word.
A personal comment. In the Bible to "anoint" was something that took place with oil. The oil would be poured on the person's head. It is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and His work in our lives. So, to be spiritually enriched means, that the Holy Spirit will work in our lives to bring about the fruit of Spirit, which is love. That is the ultimate prosperity. There is nothing greater then love. See 1st Cor 13. No, not wisdom, knowledge, charity, material goods.......Love is the greatest.
ReplyDeleteWe see in this verse pride vs. humility...FB Meyer said this, "One of the hardest things for those having a lofty and superior nature is to be under authority, to renounce their own will and to take a place of subjection. Yet we see in Phil. 2:5-8...that Jesus took upon Himself the form of servant, gave up His independence, His right to please Himself, & His liberty of choice. After having had from eternal ages the right to command, He gave Himself up to complete obedience...Oh the need for humility in our own lives. We want we, we strive, we deserve, how dare they! However, the way of the Lord is the way of humility...James 4:10 says, "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up". 1Peter 5:5 says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble". I want God's grace...I need His grace...Lord make me like you.
ReplyDeleteI agree Pastor Bob
ReplyDeleteProverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Someone once said that pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.....