Proverbs 14:9b, Saints’ Favour
August 8, Proverbs 14:9b
Heb. 12:1-17 “They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar” (Isa. 60:7).
Saints’ Favour
Here we move from the Fools’ Folly to the Saints’ Favour. There is no mocking of sin among the righteous. Contrast those noisy fools, jesting and ridiculing any thought of guilt being incurred by their little sins, and turning their sacrifices into a sham, and the favour of God and man that rests upon the righteous.
1. Favour means Admittance. Proverbs shows us the typical unconcern of fools for the harm they do, and the care of the upright to seek and preserve God’s favour. Fools are excluded while the righteous have access and admittance into God’s presence. Those who treat the sin-offering with favour obtain divine favour. When they sin, they quickly and truly repent, and are restored. “Repentance must be universal to be effectual. He that turns not from every sin, turns not aright from any one sin” (Brooks). Paul, speaking for the NT saints says, By whom [Christ] we have access by faith. Again, For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the father. Then he adds, In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by faith in him (Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18; 3:12). There is nothing half-hearted or doubtful about that! At the entrance to an old Abbey in England, there are three steps near the chancel door. One is of dark marble, a type of sin. The next is of red marble, to depict the blood of Christ. The top step is of clear marble, indicating cleansing, and admittance by that precious blood.
2. Favour means Acceptance. Acceptance follows admittance. There is first, the favour that opens access to God (Pr. 8:35; Ps. 69:16), then gracious acceptance by God (Ps. 19:14). Paul assures Ephesian believers that God made them accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6). Saints must express favour among themselves, proving what is acceptable to the Lord (Eph. 5:10). They are to be nothing less than a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. Thus they prove that acceptable will of God as they share mutual love and compassion in their assemblies (Rom. 12:1, 2, 5; 16:17). It is a serious matter when there is any division among them, for whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. 12:26).
3. Favour means Accordance. Ezra called his people to make confession to the Lord, and do his pleasure (10:11; Ps. 103:21). In Ps.40:8 David said: I delight to do thy will (thy pleasure), O my God. How does he achieve this? Yea, thy law is within my heart. What a delightful thought that doing God’s will is to act or speak with God’s mouth (Josh. 9:2). In the Acts we read again and again that the believers were of one accord, of one mind (1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24). The Philippians are told to be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord (one soul), of one mind (2:2). Isn’t that where every true child of God wants to be? How much more blessed is this than the pleasures of sin for a season!
Thought: “The Christian ought to be a living doxology” (Luther).
Prayer: Lord, that I might ever enjoy Thy favour.