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ETC Ministries - Simplicity of Christ, Johns Creek, GA (2026)

09/07/2026

Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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You will face dilemmas, sometimes difficult, each day of your life. The right answers are easy to find, if you humble yourself before God and trust Him on every subject. But men resist or reject this simple solution – they are too proud to admit their ignorance, too fearful to go against the crowd, and they believe they can figure out a workable solution.

The two proverbs around this one help with its interpretation and emphasis. The previous verse teaches total trust in the LORD and total rejection of your understanding (Proverbs 3:5). You must not even lean toward your thoughts on a matter. The following proverb warns against confidence in your own wisdom; you are to fear the LORD and hate sin (Proverbs 3:7).

You can find the right path for life’s complications, if you acknowledge the LORD in all your ways. Acknowledging the LORD is admitting He is infinitely wise, He has perfectly addressed every subject, and you should obey Him. You would have only one path at every decision, if you did not create other options by consulting your foolish heart or the foolish hearts of others. You should pray for a single heart that acknowledges God only.

The Bible is God’s will for your life – on any subject you will ever face (Deuteronomy 29:29). It can make ministers perfect, when they ignore and reject the opinions of men (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If you cannot find its answers to your questions, it is your fault or your pastor’s fault, not the Author’s. The answers are there; you just need to find them.

Read these strong words about the Bible: “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:128). Read them again. Any attitude toward the Bible short of this confidence is not acknowledging God; you are heading straight into the abyss of human confusion (Isaiah 8:20-22; 1 Corinthians 1:18-20; 3:18-20).

Do you acknowledge Him in all your ways? Corporal punishment perfects children, in spite of what Benjamin Spock and other fools imagine (Proverbs 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15). Baptism is by immersion, in spite of what the Pope taught John Calvin (John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21). Solomon gave the best position for lo******ng, in spite of what the K**a Sutra and Eastern idolaters think (Song of Solomon 2:6; 8:3). The Bible answers all your ways.

Acknowledge Him in all your ways. When dealing with an enemy, forgive him and pray for him (Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:17-21). When facing funeral options, cremation is pagan (Genesis 23:1-20; Deuteronomy 12:29-32; 21:22-23; 34:5-6). If you offend an authority, a soft response works best (Proverbs 15:1; Ecclesiastes 10:4). Acknowledge the LORD; He will say to you, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). The Bible can answer all your dilemmas.

Can you humble yourself to go to the Bible to answer every difficulty or question you face in life? Can you humble yourself to go to someone who knows the Bible better than you to get their judgment of your situation? If you cannot humble yourself, you are doomed to ignorance and trouble. It is this humility that leads to wisdom and success.

09/06/2026

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
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Here is a very valuable proverb. It can save your life and your family’s life. All seekers of wisdom should memorize it and the next one (Proverbs 3:6-8). Here is the law for gaining the wisdom to please God and live a successful life. Take a few minutes to save yourself.

Here is the true basis of wisdom. Reject your own ideas, and instead trust God’s inspired revelation and sovereign providence to save you from the ignorance of the human race. If you cherish or protect your opinions against His will, you will suffer. Beware!

Trust equals faith. Trust in God believes He exists, and it believes He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). It believes God has revealed His perfect will for men in the Bible (Proverbs 22:20-21; Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and it rejects all contrary opinions as vain babblings of ignorant rebels (Psalms 119:128; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Timothy 6:3-5,20).

The foundation for wisdom is to trust God completely, with your whole heart, for all aspects of your life. Such trust does not question God, rejects reservations about His will, and refuses to blend His word with human learning. It is sold-out humility to live by the propositions there is a God, He has revealed His will, and He rewards the obedient.

Trust in the LORD that leads to wisdom has faith in the Bible and in His sovereign rule of the world. It believes every verse of Scripture as the absolute and only source of truth, regardless of what subject it addresses. And it also believes the circumstances of life are carefully orchestrated by an all-wise and all-powerful Potter expecting your submission.

But where did your understanding come from? You were born without any. You nursed by instinct like a newborn hyena, screamed for food every few hours like a baby bird, and messed all over yourself. You arrived in this world just like a wild ass’s c**t (Job 11:12). Where did your understanding come from, and why would you ever lean toward it?

Did you get your understanding from parents? They arrived just like you did. Following them perpetuates their ignorance. Did education give you understanding? America’s schools are bankrupt in discipline, morality, truth, and wisdom. The most warped people in society are the most educated. They teach evolution, endorse so**my, abort babies, protect baby squirrels, call Picasso an artist, worship big government, and hate the Bible.

Did you get your understanding from your peers? They arrived just like you about the same time. Putting 100 such morons together does not produce wisdom. Did you get it from the television? Cartoons, comedies, news, soaps, and sports are all the same – devoid of even basic wisdom. Did you get it from magazines like “People,” “Time,” “Parade,” or “Readers’ Digest”? Together they are uninformed or misinformed as mud.

Grasp the issue. You have no understanding. What you think you know is dangerous. Because it seduces you away from truth and wisdom and resists any change toward them. Your greatest enemy is your own heart and mind. Ignorant from conception, fed misinformation since birth, encouraged to idiocy by peers, deceived by false interpretation of experiences, and inherently arrogant and selfish, you are in deep trouble.

In order to succeed, you must reject your understanding. To progress beyond the rest of your species, you cannot even lean toward your own understanding. You must flush it all. Any infatuation or protection of your thoughts will take you down with the rest of this foolish race. The rule is simple and strict – do not even lean toward your own thoughts.

Trust God. He has a corner on all the truth in the universe. Trust God. He gave you existence without your permission, and He governs all the minute details of your life. Put your trust totally in Him, and you can be a wonderful success over the dysfunctional sheep around you rushing to the slaughter of depression, divorce, drugs, and death.

Husband and wife, trust the Bible when it tells you how to treat your spouse, and do not even consider your own thoughts on how it should be done. Trust the LORD with the spouse He gave you, and do not even lean toward ideas of it being easier with a different woman or man.

Citizen, trust the Bible when it tells you to submit to every civil ordinance, pay your taxes, and honor those in authority. Do not even lean toward your thoughts of protecting your rights. Trust the LORD with the leaders you have, whether you like them or not.

Parent, trust the Bible when it details child foolishness and right training methods. Do not even lean toward your own ideas or those of speculator Ben Spock or compromiser James Dobson. Trust the LORD’s promises that right training will bring future success.
Believer, trust the Bible when it consistently describes baptism as a symbol of burial and resurrection down in the water – immersion! Do not even lean toward any heretical notions or false tradition that sprinkling holy chrism on a baby’s forehead is a baptism.

Single person, trust the Bible when it limits s*x to marriage, limits marriage to Christians, and ridicules odious women. Do not even lean toward the foolish desire for s*x or someone outside these limits. Trust God to bless your efforts for a godly spouse.

Worker, trust the Bible that giving money away will bring prosperity, hoarding money will bring poverty, and listening to business schemes will take you down. Reject your arrogant and selfish thoughts. Trust God to keep His promises of promoting diligent men.

You have a choice. Trust God and the Bible and reject your thoughts, or trust your thoughts and reject God and the Bible. The choice is yours – the results are certain. If you will reject your thinking for God’s thoughts found in the Bible, spiritual peace and prosperity are yours to a degree that the world cannot understand or explain.

09/05/2026

Proverbs 3:4
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
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What a glorious description! What a noble ambition! Can a man or woman achieve this level of success in life? Yes! Do you see the blessing here? It is an incredible privilege to be taught how to obtain this kind of favor and honor. This is the highest measure and standard for a person’s life. You can learn right now how to achieve it.

You first want to find favor in the sight of God and man. And if you are also known for good understanding, it is that much better. The proverb describes being blessed and preferred by God and men and having the reputation for wisdom and discretion. These are great goals, and the book of Proverbs teaches you how to obtain them (Proverbs 3:1-3).

Some few think that having a good reputation or loving favor from others is not very important, as long as God approves of them. But God inspired Solomon to write otherwise. A good reputation and loving favor from others is more important and valuable than wealth. Men make great effort and spend much time to acquire financial assets, but being approved, esteemed, and promoted by others is a better choice (Proverbs 22:1).

Samuel and Jesus both grew in favor with God and men (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52). They both thought it was an important goal, and they adjusted their lives accordingly. You want to follow these two holy examples. If you keep the two great commandments carefully – love of God and love of neighbor – you will achieve both goals. This means you will keep the golden rule perfectly, adjusted for what others truly desire (Matthew 7:12).

It starts in the heart. Choose God as the most important object for your affection and attention (1 Peter 3:15; Isaiah 8:13). Then choose to purely and sincerely make others more important than yourself (Philippians 2:3-4; James 3:17). With these pure motives, your speech will be gracious, and even important persons like kings will want you as a friend (Proverbs 22:11).

For you to be gracious, you must learn the wise use of self-consciousness. You need to become sensitive to all those around you in a new and deeper way so as to adjust your speech and conduct to meet their expectations and please them. This is not compromise, if the worship of God is not involved; it is discretion and an excellent spirit like Daniel. It has been said for career advancement that this self-consciousness is greater than genius.

Are these your goals today? Will you behave so that both God and men are pleased with your words and actions? Most cannot or will not adjust their conduct to help and please others, for they love their habits. The opportunity and privilege of earning these two great marks of character and wisdom should grip you. They are wonderful goals for your life.

Joseph behaved so well that Potiphar, his Egyptian slave owner, put all his assets totally under his care (Genesis 39:1-6). When thrown unjustly in jail, he earned the same approval of the jailer (Genesis 39:21). And when Pharaoh needed a wise and prudent man to oversee the preservation of the whole nation, he could think only of Joseph (Genesis 41:38-45).
David behaved so well all Israel loved him and his name was much set by (1 Samuel 18). King Darius planned to promote Daniel over the whole empire for his excellent spirit (Daniel 6:3); even his enemies could find no fault or error in him (Daniel 6:4). Mordecai was great among the Jews, advanced by Ahasuerus, and accepted by his brethren (Esther 10:3).

The Christian life is not petty rules and haughty liberty. It is much more – righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. And the man who does these things is accepted by God and approved of men (Romans 14:16-19), as was the early church (Acts 2:44-47). To be accepted by God and approved by men are the excellent ambitions of a successful life.

Mercy and truth are the preceding context (Proverbs 3:3); you will often find them together (Proverbs 14:22; 16:6; 20:28). Trusting the Lord with all your heart against your own ideas in every part of life is the following context (Proverbs 3:5-6). Learning the wisdom of this book is how you achieve these goals (Proverbs 2:1-9; 3:1-2; Joshua 1:7-9; Psalms 111:10). God bless you.

What is your life, my fellow believer? Are you merely working, raising a family, getting older, and heading to the grave? Or is it even less than this sorry description? Or do the lofty ideals of this proverb attract you? Apply yourself to them today. True greatness is before you.

The word of God can perfect every flaw in your life, if you will read and obey it (Psalms 19:7-11; James 1:21-25). To have God and man’s approval and blessing now is precious by itself, but approval of God now will also result in His approval later, which is far better.

09/04/2026

Proverbs 3:3
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
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Mercy and truth mark perfection. It is wonderful when they meet (Psalms 85:10). They lead to favor and good understanding with God and men (Proverbs 3:4). By neglect and sin they are lost, so they must be carefully guarded and obeyed. Let mercy and truth rule your life.

You cannot literally bind mercy and truth around your neck. They are character traits of wisdom and the Holy Spirit and cannot be linked to string, rope, or chains. The metaphor describes tight attachment to a person’s outward life. Neither can you literally write them on the table of your heart. This metaphor describes committing them to your affection and memory. Wise men are dedicated to mercy and truth on their inside and their outside.

Mercy and truth appear to be opposites, but it is their combination that makes a man perfect. Mercy is that gentle, forgiving, gracious, and overlooking trait of noble men, who gladly take personal injury rather than fight or hurt someone in their power. Truth is the stubborn commitment to whatever is honest and right, regardless of cost. Together they balance each other gloriously, resulting in the gentle and honest life of a true saint.

Parent, children should be taught to love mercy. It is your duty to teach them the glory of forgiving and overlooking personal offenses (Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 5:38-42). Kindness and tenderheartedness should be emphasized. You should teach them to love their enemies, as the Lord and Stephen did (Proverbs 24:17-18; 25:21-22). Sibling rivalry will create almost daily opportunities for your lessons. Mercy does not tolerate unjustified anger, envy, hatred, malice, railing, whispering, and similar sins. Teach tender compassion toward all men.

Parent, children should be taught to love truth. It is your duty to teach them the final authority of God’s Word and the glory of perfect honesty and integrity in all their dealings. Absolute honesty is a wonderful thing (Proverbs 12:22; 16:11; 17:7; Romans 12:17). Lying in any form should be punished severely. Truth does not tolerate exaggeration, hypocrisy, lying, slandering, and other related deceptions. It keeps all promises as given.

Mercy and truth are essential components of wisdom. They do not literally forsake men, but the inherent depravity men have from Adam causes you to forsake them. The rule of wisdom here is to love and remember these two pillars of godly conduct in all situations. Most every sin can be isolated and identified as violating either mercy or truth. Beware!

The blessed Lord Jesus had the perfect balance of mercy and truth. No man was more compassionate, even to enemies; no man was stricter about the truth, though it cost Him His life. He forgave easily and quickly, yet He is called Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11). Let Him be your holy example to keep mercy and truth ruling your life inside and out.

09/03/2026

Proverbs 3:2
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
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You can lengthen your life expectancy. But it cannot be found in a health food store, an exercise program, new medical research or least expected through church businesses. It is found only in righteous living, which requires humility and diligence to obey correction and instruction (Proverbs 3:1). Peace, a very precious commodity for a pleasant life, is found the same way – living a righteous life.

Wisdom is ability to judge rightly. Wisdom is also the conviction and knowledge to live righteously. Solomon, in this book devoted to wisdom, offered long life as a blessing for gaining knowledge (Proverbs 3:8,16; 4:4,10,22; 9:11). He asked elsewhere, “Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” (Ecclesiastes. 7:17.)

There are two blessings offered here that should fascinate every reader – long life and peace. Everyone wants to live longer, and peace makes life a continual pleasure. What do you think? What else are you looking for? These are two wonderful things, and they are offered here freely. What hinders you from grasping them for yourself?

Ponce de Leon traveled far looking for the fabled fountain of youth. Billions are spent annually on so-called health food and vitamins, gym memberships and personal trainers, and reading the latest medical research and bizarre remedies for extending life. If just a portion of that zeal were applied to wisdom, a person could claim long life and peace.

Sinful living ages the body and brings early death. Even pagans know the risks of “hard living.” Rock stars, rap artists, actors and actresses – America’s most profligate sinners – often live only half as long as others. They die from accidents, disease, drugs, murder, su***de, and exhausted bodies. Capital punishment also shortens the life of gross sinners.

Wisdom saves from “hard living.” Wise men avoid accidents by prudence; they miss disease by monogamy, drugs by abstention, murder by peaceful living, su***de by hopeful living, and exhausted bodies by refreshing sleep. By obeying the laws of the land, they are not in danger of capital punishment. All these means of life are taught in Proverbs.

Wisdom brings peace. Sinners lead tortured lives of fear, guilt, shame, and stress. They are depressed, frustrated, lonely, and tired. They cannot find contentment, fulfillment, or satisfaction. They are always looking, running, and wishing for something with lasting good. But wise men find peace in the Lord, marriage, work, friends, and a righteous soul.

Satan, a murderer, wants you to die. The world hates right living. Your depraved soul prefers sin. These three conspire together to shorten your time on earth and steal away any peace while you live. Life and death are both offered to you, as Moses explained to Israel (Deuteronomy. 30:19-20). Choose life and peace today by embracing wisdom and living it.

09/03/2026

Proverbs 3:1
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
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Hearing wisdom is not enough. It must be remembered and applied by changing your life to match it. Instruction only has value when it is retained and put into practice (Proverbs 3:2).

To hear and forget is a terrible waste, and God will hold you responsible, if you squander the precious privilege of hearing wisdom (Proverbs 1:24-32; Luke 12:48). You must remember what you are taught; you must not forget it (Proverbs 3:3,21; 4:4-6,13,21; 6:21; 7:1; 22:18).

Keeping your heart is a priority, for out of it comes your conduct in life (Proverbs 4:23). Your heart directs your life (Luke 6:45). You must keep wisdom and its commandments in your heart to guide your daily affections and choices (Proverbs 3:3; 4:21; Psalms 37:31).

Here is the appeal of King Solomon to his son, but these proverbs were written down for your benefit. Will you hear, retain, love, and obey the rules of wisdom found in this book of the Bible? They can only save you and prosper you, if you remember and do them.

Paul soberly warned about letting things you have heard slip away (Hebrews 2:1-4). You are dealing with the Creator God of heaven and the consequences of forgetting are severe. If He in great mercy reveals truth to you, He expects you to appreciate it and embrace it.

Men remember what they count important. It is not a function of memory: it is a function of priorities. It is not difficult, as much as it requires diligence. What do you remember? You can and will remember what you consider to be valuable for profit or pleasure.
James warned you to be a doer of God’s word, not just a hearer, deceiving yourself (James 1:21-25). The saving benefits of truth are for those who remember it and do it. Or you are like a man seeing his faults in the mirror of God’s word, who makes no corrections. But those who see the instruction, remember it, and continue to do it shall surely be blessed.

Paul warned the gospel only saves those who keep it in memory (1 Corinthians 15:2), for some at Corinth had forgotten the resurrection of the dead. Without this doctrine, he showed that salvation from sin is lost and Christians are of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19).

It is your duty to hear instruction carefully and bring forth fruit (Luke 8:18). What kind of ground are you? Satan will sn**ch away instruction, unless you take it and keep it in your heart, where it can bear the fruit of righteousness (Luke 8:12).

David taught hiding God’s word in your heart (Psalms 119:11). One way is by memorizing it. Learning verses keeps them in your heart and mind, where you can easily meditate on them (Psalms 1:2; 119:15,23,43,78,97,99,148) and readily use them (Proverbs 22:18; Luke 4:4,8,12).

Peter taught the importance of repetition also (2 Peter 1:12-15). Though his hearers already knew the truth, he was committed to frequent repetition to help them remember. You should not resent repetitive instruction, or it will become a trap for your ruin (Isaiah 28:9-13).

You have two needs. You need a source of wisdom and instruction. You need a teacher, a preacher, to bring the inspired wisdom of God to bear on your life. God chose to put such men in His true Ekklesia to impart the word of God to you (Malachi 2:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

You also need the personal discipline and habits to retain what you hear, review it for understanding, and apply and practice it in your life (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). With these two things in place, Lady Wisdom’s instruction can greatly improve your life.

Jesus had the law of God in His heart, and so He delighted in keeping God’s will, which is revealed there (Psalms 40:6-8). Are you glad He kept the will of God (Hebrews 10:9-10)? It is God’s revealed will for you to repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son. Have you done it?

09/02/2026

Proverbs 2:22
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
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Crime does not pay. Sinners will not get away with sin. Are you surprised that some wicked person is alive and prospering? A politician? Actor or actress? Religious leader? Crime figure? They will be cut off and rooted out. God and Solomon guaranteed it.

Those who choose a wicked lifestyle will be hunted down by God and men and destroyed. The proverb is harsh, but it is true. The choice is yours – if you follow the evil man or strange woman in their sinful ways (Proverbs 2:12-18), you have chosen your ruin.

Solomon had described the zealous pursuit of wisdom and every good path (Proverbs 2:1-9). Then he described the benefit of wisdom in being delivered from the evil man (Proverbs 2:10-15) and the strange woman (Proverbs 2:16-19). Finally, he described a joyous blessing of wisdom in walking in the way of good men and keeping the paths of righteous men (Proverbs 2:20).

What is the reward for obtaining wisdom, avoiding the evil man and strange woman, and following the lifestyle of good and righteous men (Proverbs 2:10-20)? It is God and man’s blessings on your life that lead to security and success. You will be safe and have a long and prosperous life (Proverbs 2:21). Both God and men punish evildoers, so crime does not pay.

Tranquility is a beautiful thing. Do you understand it? Do you have it? It means to be free from disturbance or agitation, to enjoy serenity and calmness, and to experience quietness and peacefulness. Tranquility is God’s gracious reward for righteous living (Proverbs 1:33; 3:21-26; 4:7-8; Psalms 25:12-13; 112:6-8; Isaiah 26:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:6; 1 Peter 3:10-12).

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was the greatest king in world history. He had more honor, prosperity, and success than any other. But he was proud and did not give God any praise or thanksgiving. He was a sinner, and he oppressed the poor. Daniel warned him to end his sins in order to lengthen his tranquility. Because he did not humble himself and choose the way of good men, he spent the next seven years as a beast (Daniel 4:27-33).

Lot chose to mingle with the men of this world, but he ruined his entire family in one of the most depraved stories in the Bible (Genesis 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Saul thought he could allow the fear of man, impatience, and envy in his life, but he and his sons were killed on the same day and nailed to a wall by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:8-13). Both men and their families were cut off from the earth and rooted out of it. The proverb is harsh but true.

Alexander the Great lived an arrogant life of violence, and he did not live out half his days, just as God promised such wicked men (Psalms 55:23). Time does not permit to write about Absalom, James Dean, Eli’s sons, JFK, Amnon, Jimmy Hoffa, Corinthians, Marilyn Monroe, a rich fool, Princess Diana, Haman’s sons, Elvis Presley, MLK, Jr., Onan, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and other wicked persons like them.

The warning about being cut off and rooted out does not just apply to whore-mongers and similar rebels. The Lord Jesus Christ used such language when describing the religious leaders of His day who chose their man-made traditions and politically correct manners over His doctrine of righteousness and truth. He told His disciples that they would be rooted up and that they were no more than blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:12-14).

It does not matter if your life is good right now. If you continue in worldly compromise or wickedness, God will cut you and your family off and root them out of the earth. If your life is good now, it will not last long. If your life is bad now, it can and will get much worse. Lengthen your tranquility by choosing an upright and wise life (Proverbs 2:20-21).

09/01/2026

Proverbs 2:21
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
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Good men live best. Your future is best served by wisdom. Security and confidence are the results of godly living. Establish your life on solid ground today. Good men also die best.

This proverb is part of a long paragraph (Proverbs 2:10-22). A person obtaining wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 2:10) will have discretion and understanding (Proverbs 2:11). This foundation will keep him from evil men (Proverbs 2:12-15) and women (Proverbs 2:16-19), and it will lead to the lifestyle of good men (Proverbs 2:20), who are rewarded, but the evil are punished (Proverbs 2:21-22).

Wisdom has rewards (Isaiah 58:1-11). God promises longevity, peace, and safety to good men. They will be established and live happily. They will remain long after others have been removed. The result is very different from how the wicked are judged (Proverbs 2:22). And eternity magnifies this contrast even further with the difference between heaven and hell.

The context warns about the danger of wicked men (Proverbs 2:10-15) and whorish women (Proverbs 2:16-19). Solomon taught his son to save him from evil companions and to guide him into the way of righteous men (Proverbs 2:20). In the proverb before you, the reward of good men is described as having a secure future, but God will destroy the lives of wicked men.

Jehovah delivered His chosen people Israel out of Egypt, and He gave them the land of Canaan for an inheritance, rooting all their enemies out of the land before them (Genesis 15:18-21; Deuteronomy 7:1-3). But the Promised Land was given to them on the condition of their obedience. Rebellion and sin would cause Him to take it away (Lev. 26:1-46; Deuteronomy 28:1-68). Any Israelite understood this proverb in a very profound and powerful way.

Longevity, peace, prosperity, and safety are the blessings of God upon the righteous. These rewards are mentioned often in Proverbs by Solomon and as well by David in the Psalms (Proverbs 1:33; 3:2,13-18; 4:10; 9:11; 16:7; 28:2; Psalms 37:3,9,11,22,29). A happy life with good days is obtained by obeying the Lord, especially by ruling your speech and treating others kindly (Psalms 34:12-16; 1 Peter 3:10-12). Righteousness brings blessings (Isaiah 3:10)!

Consider God’s first commandment with an attached promise. He demands that children honor their parents, which is much broader than mere obedience. It means to exalt parents and treat them with special reverence at all times, even in thoughts, speech, facial expressions, and support (Proverbs 20:20; 30:17; Deuteronomy 27:16; 1 Timothy 5:4,8). But look at the reward for honoring them – a good life and a long life (Ephesians 6:2-3)! Believe this today!

The “Midas touch” refers to a foolish legend. But the story of Job is inspired by history! God put a hedge around Job to bless all that he did and had because he was a righteous man who feared God (Job 1:1-5,10). And even though God tested Job severely, He blessed him with more in the end – there is indeed a reward for the righteous (Job 42:10-17; James 5:11).

But the greatest reward is in the future – living forever in heaven with God, Jesus Christ, the elect angels, and all the just men that have gone there before (Hebrews 11:8-16). Jesus Christ forsook evil men and women during His life, following the perfect path of God in every aspect of living, and He is now on the throne of God forever and ever. Have you confessed Him to be Lord of the universe and confirmed it by baptism and good works?

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