GOOD CONSEQUENCES
23rd Sep 2015
While reading Proverbs 3, it occurred to me that living right has a lot of good consequences. We so often think of people making bad choices, and as we say, “suffering the consequences” so why not consider what happens when we choose to act rightly.
I have been looking at the first 10 verses and this is what has come very strongly through to me. In verses 1 & 2, if I follow the Word and live a life of obedience to God’s commands, I am promised, “they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”
In verses 3 & 4, I am encouraged to “Let love and faithfulness never leave you”, which is telling me to live with consistency and integrity, and the result will be, “you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Verses 5 & 6 are well known and often quoted, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart etc.etc.” The benefit that will come is that “he will make your paths straight.”
In verses 7 & 8, I am warned, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” These principles lead to amazing consequences, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Verses 9 & 10 say, “Honour the Lord with your wealth.....” and the promise that follows this kind of lifestyle is, “then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
The chapter continues with more words of wisdom and promises that follow a life that is being lived dedicated to pleasing the Lord.
I am not advocating a good works, performance based life, which is full of do’s and don’t’s, but a life that wants to please God, to be filled with his wisdom, and to love and serve others.
1 John 3:21-22 says, “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his command and do what pleases him.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
