Proverbs 1:33, At the Crossroads – No Longer! – Part IV
January 14, Proverbs 1:33
Matthew 7:15-29 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
At the Crossroads – No Longer! – Part IV
- The Pardoned: Praise God for verse 33. Set it against the backdrop of this portion. Men’s sinful folly leads to their awful, but just, doom. “I know not when ye are. Depart from me into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Lu. 13:25, Mt. 25:41). Yet, here surely is Good News! Here is “light to enlighten our darkness”!
a. The Ears Unstopped: Whoso hearkeneth unto me. Hear, O hear, the Heavenly Father’s still small voice. It is the Voice of Him “that wakes the dead, and makes the people hear!” God, in sovereign mercy, does not leave all to perish in their sins, as He might justly have done. By His gracious Spirit He causes sinners to turn at His rebuke and receive the words of life. Born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (Jn. 1:11-13). It is all of free and sovereign grace (Eph. 2:1-10).
“Tis not that I did choose Thee, for Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee, but Thou hast chosen me.
‘Twas sovereign mercy called me, and taught my opening mind’
The world had else enthralled me, to heavenly glories blind.”
b. The Feet Unmoved: There’s more! They shall dwell safely in a secure dwelling place here and hereafter (Ps. 91; Jn. 14:1-6; Rom. 8:1-3). When they were heedless sinners their feet were set in slippery places (Ps. 73:18). Now they stand strong, for their feet are on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and He will guard and guide their goings.
“Thou dids’t reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
‘Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me!” (Mt. 14:29-30).
c. The Heart Unafraid: Yes, there is still more! They shall be quiet from fear of evil. God not only delivers from death at last, but also frees from fear now (Heb. 2:14-15). God provides not only safety from hidden fears here, but also safety from all future fears. The pardoned are assured of their justification at the Throne of God. They have peace with God, and enjoy the peace of God in their hearts and lives (Rom. 5:1-2; Phil. 4:7).
“I find; I walk; I love, but O the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul,
Always, Thou lovest me.”
Thought: “Salvation is a happy security, and a secure happiness” (W. Jenkyn).
Prayer: O Lord, make me a true child of Thine, hearkening unto Thy Word?