Proverbs 11:21, Victory!

May 19, Proverbs 11:21

John 8:31-51 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal. 5:1).

Victory!

The right mixture makes good mortar, and strong buildings! The same is true in forming godly partnerships that will secure lasting unity. He who stands for the right wrongs no man. He who gains by right makes no man a loser, for no man can lose what is not rightfully his own! The Apostle put it: “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion hath light with darkness? What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, … and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:14-17).

2. Triumph for the Righteous: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Just as the judgment of God is sure against the wicked, His blessing is just as sure upon the righteous. Praise God, they shall be delivered (Ps. 22:6).

a. The Seed: This word means more than mere descendants. It indicates those who are true children of faith. We see from our John reading how our Lord rebukes the Jews by showing them that something more than physical descent qualifies one as the seed of Abraham. The children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed (Rom. 9:8).

b. The Saved: Righteous, unlike the wicked in our verse, is plural, making the primary reference righteous persons. They are the ones who also walk in the steps of that faith of (their) father Abraham (Rm. 4:12). We know that godly parents do not re-produce “believing” seed. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (Jn. 3:6). Each one of our children must come to that saving faith personally. As we say, God has no grandchildren.

c. The Salvation: The root of this word means to escape. Its form emphasises that God provides or initiates the escape, not man. He brings about the deliverance of the righteous. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth (Ps. 124:6-8). Though the righteous will fall into trials and troubles, yet in due time, God’s time, they will – escape as a bird out of the snare. Yet, deliverance only comes by obeying God’s call and command. God had provided a way of escape out of Sodom for Lot, but he lingered. The Hebrew reminds us of our expression to shilly-shally. Lot and his wife literally were dragged out, while the angel-messengers cried after them, because they still seemed to hesitate, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee lest thou be consumed. We, too, must put feet to our faith, for faith in God is reason acting agreeably to His Word. “We will be controlled either by Satan, or by self or by God. Control by Satan is slavery: control by self is futility; control by God is victory” (Anon.). Obeying God’s Word will cost you much, maybe even your life, but any other course is to go the way of the wicked.

Thought: “Be careful that victories do not carry the seeds of future defeats” (Anon).

Prayer: “Christian, thou art in the midst of foes: Watch and Pray” (Charlotte Elliot).