Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
15 It is joy to
the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead.Proverbs 21:15-16 (AMP):
15 When justice is done it
is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); but to the
evildoers it is dismay, calamity and ruin.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the
congregation of the spirits -- of the dead.
These scriptures
tell us of the fate and judgment of both those who pursue unrighteousness and those
who are just and righteous. Most of the time when the word "judgment" is mentioned, it
brings to mind destruction and doom. However, there is a positive side to
judgment.
Verse
15 speaks of a joy for some who are judged, along with dismay for
others. Although judgment usually has an evil connotation to it (the
execution of the penalty for sin), it also has a positive side. Judgment
has to do with the sowing and reaping process. This is defined in the
New Testament.
Galatians 6:7-9:
7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not."
From this, we can see that the negative side of judgment is destruction
for works of wickedness, while on the positive side, good that is sown through
Jesus is rewarded. God's judgment on evil is seen by the curse that is
on wicked men, while God's judgment for the righteous will manifest in
His blessings and rewards on them. This is true for individuals as well
as nations.
As a
nation (the USA), we have sown both good and evil. I believe God has been
gracious and merciful to us because we have reached out to help the
other nations of the world. The church has sent many missionaries
around the world. Christians in this nation have supported many missionary works, while Christians and others have supported humanitarian works in every nation. The United States government has poured billions of dollars into foreign aid and forgiven
billions of dollars of indebtedness to other countries. We are one of
the first on the scene to arrive with aid and assistance when natural
disasters, such as earthquakes, strike other countries. America has
helped the oppressed and poor of other nations. She has helped rebuild
infrastructures, railways, etc. after nations have been ravaged by war.
I could name many more, but this should suffice.
As a
nation, we have also sown much evil. We have exported our ungodly music,
movies, pornography, tobacco, alcohol. Our tobacco companies cannot
sell their wares to the young people in our nation, but they are allowed
to export it to the youth of other nations. We have been hypocritical in
calling ourselves a Christian nation when we allow abortion and other
evils. Many Americans are drug addicts, and are consumed with
pornography and vile movies. We commit adultery without blushing and
are sex-crazed. I have noticed that the most prevalent types of ads that
daily come across the Internet are ads selling something pertaining to
sex; ads that tell you how to become a millionaire; and those that
encourage gambling. Instead of being a good example to the world, we
export our vices. Sharing Christ with other nations is difficult when
they see our lust and materialism. Our American culture has been shot
through with all types of sinful temptations designed by the devil to
keep us weak and fearful and powerless to fight against him. Yes,
judgment comes upon us as we reap what we have sown. God wants to bless
us with good things, but our sins prevent God from blessing us.
Jeremiah 5:25: Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your
sins have withholden good things from you.
In Verse
16 of our study today, we find that death and destruction is
awaiting those who fail to understand the Word of God. We are all being
judged by the Word of God daily. When we fail to keep God's laws and
Christ's commandments, we are judged in that respect. When we honor God
and keep His Word, we are also judged as faithful. There is one way we
can avert judgment. When we repent of our sins and walk in a daily
relationship with Jesus, we no longer come under judgment. Jesus took
our judgment on the cross to save us from hell, which is the penalty for
our sins. We must pray that the church comes to true repentance that
will produce a genuine revival in our nation and the world. Here are the
Words of Jesus:
John 12:47-48:
47
And if any man hear my words, and
believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to
save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that
judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in
the last day.
Dear Father in Heaven, I thank You for Your great
mercy to all of us individually, and in our nation. Father, move on the
hearts of Your people to repent and turn back to You, so that we can avert any
more judgments on our land. Forgive us for our apathy and sin. Lord, help us to
study Your Word, pray Your Word, speak Your Word and walk in Your Word. Use us,
Your children, to bring light into this dark world by showing others the way to
Christ. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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