S) "23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil."
Proverbs 19:23 (NASB)
O) Knowing the author of so many proverbs, is the same man who was a practicing polytheist because of the idolatry of his hundreds of wives, makes me curious as to when Solomon wrote these
words. This makes context a little harder, but as with many of the proverbs, there is a certain amount of independence to them. Whether Solomon wrote this, or some gentile who came to know the fear of the LORD, the truth remains the same. The truth is that the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to obeying God, which is the practice of righteousness. That kind of righteousness protects life (generally speaking, as opposed to wicked practices which threaten life). Similarly, the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to faith in God, which leads to a positional righteousness (that is, that God would credit faith as righteousness before Him). That kind of righteousness (specifically now, the faith in Christ Jesus) gives us spiritual life everlasting. The next consideration, is what is meant by sleeping satisfied. This is really about contentment and peace. A person who feels discontent is unsatisfied. A person who is experiencing chaos and strife is unsatisfied. Evil will lead to dissatisfaction. Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. To what end, then? If that evil touches as person (whether by temptation to sin, or more direct influences of circumstance), this verse is showing us it would be to create dissatisfaction. If that dissatisfaction is manifested, it will begin reversing the proper order of things, and a person will abandon righteousness in pursuit of satisfaction, and that abandonment will ultimately mean brazen irreverence toward God.
A) There are few things as heartbreaking, as emotionally and physically draining, as going to bed feeling the full shame of guilt. Because of the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit within the church and the individual believer, and because of the empowerment gained through His leading (see Galatians 5:16), and because of the promises of God working through circumstances on our behalf (see Romans 8:28 and 1 Corinthians 10:13), Christians are without excuse as to the problem of sinful behavior. As a believer, I do not have a "[sin] problem" I have a "don't fear God enough" problem. If I want to sleep satisfied, it all starts with a proper fear of God. If I am worshiping Him for who He really is, in His power and might, in His fury and wrath, in His judgment and consistency, then that worship will strengthen faith and obedience. In that, I will find my contentment and peace in Christ. In that, I will walk in the Spirit to not gratify the flesh; I will take the way of escape. In that, I will have satisfied sleep, untouched by evil.
words. This makes context a little harder, but as with many of the proverbs, there is a certain amount of independence to them. Whether Solomon wrote this, or some gentile who came to know the fear of the LORD, the truth remains the same. The truth is that the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to obeying God, which is the practice of righteousness. That kind of righteousness protects life (generally speaking, as opposed to wicked practices which threaten life). Similarly, the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to faith in God, which leads to a positional righteousness (that is, that God would credit faith as righteousness before Him). That kind of righteousness (specifically now, the faith in Christ Jesus) gives us spiritual life everlasting. The next consideration, is what is meant by sleeping satisfied. This is really about contentment and peace. A person who feels discontent is unsatisfied. A person who is experiencing chaos and strife is unsatisfied. Evil will lead to dissatisfaction. Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. To what end, then? If that evil touches as person (whether by temptation to sin, or more direct influences of circumstance), this verse is showing us it would be to create dissatisfaction. If that dissatisfaction is manifested, it will begin reversing the proper order of things, and a person will abandon righteousness in pursuit of satisfaction, and that abandonment will ultimately mean brazen irreverence toward God.
A) There are few things as heartbreaking, as emotionally and physically draining, as going to bed feeling the full shame of guilt. Because of the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit within the church and the individual believer, and because of the empowerment gained through His leading (see Galatians 5:16), and because of the promises of God working through circumstances on our behalf (see Romans 8:28 and 1 Corinthians 10:13), Christians are without excuse as to the problem of sinful behavior. As a believer, I do not have a "[sin] problem" I have a "don't fear God enough" problem. If I want to sleep satisfied, it all starts with a proper fear of God. If I am worshiping Him for who He really is, in His power and might, in His fury and wrath, in His judgment and consistency, then that worship will strengthen faith and obedience. In that, I will find my contentment and peace in Christ. In that, I will walk in the Spirit to not gratify the flesh; I will take the way of escape. In that, I will have satisfied sleep, untouched by evil.
P) Father, thank You for Your mercy and patience. You are compassionate, slow to anger, and full of lovingkindness. That is certainly who You are. At the same time, I see Christ crucified. I see that You are a just and righteous God, full of fury against Your enemies and wrath against sin. You are true, unchanging, and sure. You are sovereign, and no one can plead a case against You. What You open, no one can shut, and what You shut, no one can open. When You give judgment, there is no one who will overturn it. Help me to keep focus, Lord. You have every right to punish Your enemies, and in the end You will. You have the power to right every wrong, and in the end You will. Father God, my Lord and King, my Creator... I don't even want to resemble Your enemy. I know that I am hidden in Christ. I am so thankful, that I am judged righteous because my guilt was laid upon Jesus, and His innocence was laid upon me. But I don't want to soil the glorious robes of righteousness, with which I am now clothed. I don't want to remove them, either. Help me to have a proper view of sin, that I would recognize it for the poison it is. Help me to have a clear view of Your character, that I would understand how You view sin, and that I would fear Your awesome character for who You are. Help me to keep things in their proper order, that I would first fear You, then walk in faith and obedience, then in that righteousness I would find contentment, peace, and satisfied sleep. Let Your will be done, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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