Lord’s Day, Vol. 11 No. 35
Finding Life’s True Security
Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
OUTLINE
(1) By Appropriating the Whole Counsel of God’s Perfect Word
(2) By Faith in God who Gave His Word
INTRODUCTION
In an uncertain world, man seek security and safety that his existence may be preserved, prolonged and protected.
Where can man find true security? Our text tells us in Proverbs 30:5 by firstly, appropriating the whole counsel of God’s Perfect Word (v5a) and secondly, by faith in God who gave His Word (v5b).
This Proverb seeks to affirm to its hearers that when we go to the Bible, read all of it and believe and act upon all of its instructions, therein is true security for life. In the Bible, we will find Jesus Christ, the only Saviour world, by forsaking our sins and coming to Jesus, we find true security and eternal life.
And it is such a blessing to live this new life in Christ for no matter what circumstance, what situation, what stage of our lives, God has a Word of counsel that would truly help us.
And so it is that He establish the church that Christ can be proclaimed in the full counsel of His Word, all who take time to study the Word of God, to understand it and to appropriate it, may find true safety for life.
The text gives emphasis on the adjective or determinator “Every”, being the first word.
Finding Life’s True Security
Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
OUTLINE
(1) By Appropriating the Whole Counsel of God’s Perfect Word
(2) By Faith in God who Gave His Word
INTRODUCTION
In an uncertain world, man seek security and safety that his existence may be preserved, prolonged and protected.
Where can man find true security? Our text tells us in Proverbs 30:5 by firstly, appropriating the whole counsel of God’s Perfect Word (v5a) and secondly, by faith in God who gave His Word (v5b).
This Proverb seeks to affirm to its hearers that when we go to the Bible, read all of it and believe and act upon all of its instructions, therein is true security for life. In the Bible, we will find Jesus Christ, the only Saviour world, by forsaking our sins and coming to Jesus, we find true security and eternal life.
And it is such a blessing to live this new life in Christ for no matter what circumstance, what situation, what stage of our lives, God has a Word of counsel that would truly help us.
And so it is that He establish the church that Christ can be proclaimed in the full counsel of His Word, all who take time to study the Word of God, to understand it and to appropriate it, may find true safety for life.
The text gives emphasis on the adjective or determinator “Every”, being the first word.
Finding Life’s True Security
Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
OUTLINE
(1) By Appropriating the Whole Counsel of God’s Perfect Word
(2) By Faith in God who Gave His Word
INTRODUCTION
In an uncertain world, man seeks security and safety so that his existence may be preserved, prolonged and protected.
Where can man find true security? Our text tells us in Proverbs 30:5 by firstly, appropriating the whole counsel of God’s Perfect Word (v5a) and secondly, by faith in God who gave His Word (v5b).
This Proverb seeks to affirm to its hearers that when we go to the Bible, read all of it and believe and act upon all of its instructions, therein is true security for life. In the Bible, we will find Jesus Christ, the only Saviour world, by forsaking our sins and coming to Jesus, we find true security and eternal life.
And it is such a blessing to live this new life in Christ for no matter what circumstance, what situation, what stage of our lives, God has a Word of counsel that would truly help us.
And so it is that He establishes the church that Christ can be proclaimed in the full counsel of His Word, all who take time to study the Word of God, to understand it and to appropriate it, may find true safety for life.
The text gives emphasis on the adjective or determinator “Every”, being the first word.
“Every” is an absolute term that means “totality, everything, all”. The “totality” of God’s revealed Word, all of God’s Word, every word that God gave, no word should be left out, all of it is to be appropriated to secure us in this new life in Christ.
And indeed, God’s Word, a compendium of 66 books, is a large volume, all who begin to study, finds it so broad, that it covers all aspects of this life, this world that we live in, even before life begins and life after death, so deep that its wisdom can only be properly appropriate with God’s help, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, through earnest prayer.
Our first guiding thought to help us find bearing in life is …
(1) By Appropriating the Whole Counsel of God’s Perfect Word
5a Every word of God is pure …
The word of God possesses a certain quality that is highlighted here. It is pure. The word “pure” comes from the verb that means “to refine, to test”.
In a literal sense, the word “צרף tsaraph”[1] describes the purifying process of a refiner, the smelting of metal, when the refiner heats the metal, takes away the dross, and what is left is a pure substance as given in Proverbs 25:4 (KJV) Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the “finer”. This word “pure” as a participle, is translated as the word “finer” referring to a tradesman (i.e., a goldsmith or silversmith) who does the refining work.
But this word is more emphatically used to speak of the Word of God that is described as pure or perfectly refined in three verses of which Proverbs 30:5 is one key verse. The other two verses are 2 Samuel 22:31 and Psalm 12:6-7 which we will turn to shortly.
The word “pure” is a “passive participle”. In other words, the action is not done by the word but by an external agent that acts upon it. We may say that the forever-written Word of God stands written through the test of time, and circumstances, to prove itself, completely true and totally reliable.
This first thought in verse 5a therefore seeks to affirm in our hearts that the Word of God is most reliable because it is pure. The word of God affirmed as being refined and therefore is flawless, perfect and true, without error, therefore, most reliable and trustworthy. As mentioned, there are two verses that enrich the understanding and confirm the meaning of the word “pure” used in this Proverb that I would like you to bring to your attention.
The first is 2 Samuel 22:31 (KJV) As for God, his way is perfect[1]; the word of the LORD is tried: (also a passive participle from the same verb “צרף tsaraph” “to refine” here translated “tried”, able to stand every test, tested), he is a buckler (translated “shield” in Proverbs 30:5) to all them that trust in him.
The word of God is pure in that it shows us God’s perfect way or that God’s way of perfect. The word “perfect” means complete, whole, entire, sound, wholesome, unimpaired, having integrity, what is complete, or what is entirely according to truth and fact. What a blessing it is to know God’s will that is revealed in His Word and to walk therein. We can safely follow its instructions and walk therein!
Psalm 119:105 (KJV) NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The second verse that opens our understanding of our text and the word “pure” is found in Psalm 12:6-7 (KJV) The words of the LORD are pure (טָהוֹר ṭāhôr – clean, genuine, pure) words: as silver tried or tested (passive participle, being refined, “צרף tsaraph”) in a furnace of earth, purified (זָקַקzāqaq: A verb meaning to refine, to purify. The literal meaning of this word is to strain or extract in the intensive stem) seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Here, the word of God is described by another word also translated as “pure” which means “clean, genuine, pure” because it is tried or tested! It withstands the severest of tests and continues to stand true and good!
The word of God is described as “clean, genuine, pure” perfectly reliable, there is no dross in it. And God ensures that His Word is preserved so that each generation may appropriate it for their salvation and sanctification and the hope of glorification.
All of it is to be obeyed, all of it is to be followed for our eternal blessing.
Every Word of God is pure, shows us God’s perfect way (cross-reference to 2 Samuel 22:31 and clean, genuine, perfectly reliable, there is no dross in it (cross-reference to Psalm 12:6-7) and preserved, kept pure for us today. Hence, we can conclude that the Word of God is tested, proven, and approved, and commend it for our study and emulation!
Here it is a statement of truth, a statement of fact. Its veracity comes with our submission and obedience to its instructions, this is the second portion of this verse, and what follows in verse 5b is built upon this first part.
A commentator said, “Nothing is learned solidly by abstract speculation. Go to the book. Here all is light and purity. Though secret things belong to the Lord our God; yet the things that are revealed “are our holy directory. Everything is intended the heart and conduct. Every sin, all lurking sins, cherished in the dark cavern of pollution, are brought to light, and reproved.”
Every word of God is “pure, refined, tried”, a shield itself to those who seek it. The purity of God’s Word reflects the holiness of the character of God who gives it.
Every word of God is pure.. one late pastor rightly paraphrased this proverb that gave a sense of what we just said, “The Word of God is sacred, every word. He protects them that turn to Him.” The sacredness and the security part are highlighted – He protects those who turn to Him.
As a matter of application, I encourage you to read through the Bible in a year as a matter of spiritual discipline and habit with much prayer to see the breadth of it, to appropriate the whole counsel of God’s Word, as we take time to also meditate to appropriate the depth of it.
Every Word of God is pure and therefore it is beneficial to those who appropriate it. How then can it be appropriated for our spiritual progress?
This brings us to our second thought.
(2) By Faith in God who Gave His Word
5b … he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
The Word is from God and all who would trust its counsel, obey and follow it find security and safety, and derive protection from it. God’s way is true safety! Not the world’s way, not our own understanding…
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. The emphasis is on the word “shield”, being the first word in this second phrase of our text. The shield is a weapon of defence, of protection against the arrows, darts and spears of the enemy. Metaphorically it speaks of God’s Word as our protection and refuge. This word “shield” is first found in Genesis 15:1 (KJV) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
A Bible Expositor highlights well when he said, “The law of first mention, the initial occurrence of anything in Scripture invariably supplies the key to the later ones, forecasting by means of a broad outline its subsequent usage. In other words, the first time a subject or object, a person or thing, is brought before us in God’s Word what is there said of it or him virtually supplies the definition of its meaning, or at least gives us the principal clue to the significance of its later mentioning.”
What does it mean to Abram when God said to him “Fear not, I am thy shield”? God is saying to Abram that He is a shield to him. It means that God is ever present with him and caring for him. God has his best interest at heart and therefore he can trust Him to guide him through life.
God had promised Abram that the land of Canaan would be a land for his possession and that his descendants would be as the dust of the earth so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered (Genesis 13:17).
Our text in Genesis 15 tells us that Abram was still without a child, and his wife had passed the age of childbearing, how could God’s promise be fulfilled? The Lord once again assured him.
Genesis 15:4-5 (KJV) And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
5b … he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
It is interesting to note that the word “trust” comes from the verb that means literally “to seek refuge”. This verb is found 35 times with the primary meaning “seek a refuge” indicating the underlying sense of “put (one’s) trust in”.
The action of taking refuge in God is well explained in Psalm 31:19.
Psalm 31:19 (KJV) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
The goodness of God was experienced by Abram when he believed God and prepared himself for the coming of Isaac!
So, we may understand verse 5b as “He (God) is a refuge to them that seek refuge in Him.”
In his fears, Abram sought the Lord. Do you have any fears? Like Abram, let us come to the Lord too! For Abram, a long time has lapsed, in fact, Sarah and Abram will have to wait 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled.
Abram believed God, at the appointed time, Isaac was conceived in the womb of Sarah. Acting upon God’s promise, the Lord gave and preserved the baby in the womb of Sarah. Though Abram could not understand how it could be possible, he nonetheless believed that the LORD is true to His Word, He cannot lie, trust and acted upon it.
For that matter, having secured our eternal well-being through faith in Christ, there are those we are in contact with who are still outside Christ, the Bible clearly shows us the eternal separation that one will experience at death who is outside Christ, we therefore pray and plead that God may have mercy on their soul to save them. God is found to be true to all His Word! Therefore we are to trust God, obey His Word and share it.
Taking time to meditate and study God’s Word enables you to be nourished and strengthened and built up in the faith to do His will for His glory, just as God has a purpose and goodwill for Abram’s life, He also has one for you!
Abram believed in the Word of the LORD. Before Isaac was born, before the fulfilment, Abram believed in the LORD, indeed God was true to His Word. Abram was therefore a man of faith, the LORD counted it to him for righteousness. God saw that Abram trusted Him and He blessed Abram with the gift of Isaac.
Genesis 15:6 (KJV) And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
In other words, Believe what God says in His Word. Abram did! The record of biblical history attests to the veracity of God’s Word. That it is true, totally reliable, God was not only his shield but his exceeding great reward. God is true to His Word! May we too appropriate it!
It is interesting that the word translated “trust” is the verb “to seek, to take refuge” again the reference to 2 Samuel 22:31.
2 Samuel 22:31 (KJV) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
Abram believed God and in the fullness of time, God gave Isaac. Abram in a sense by his faith proved God, that His Word is true and most reliable!
One late Bible Expositor said well to single out the particular attribute of God for our learning, he says, “This is because of God’s faithfulness, a moral attribute of God. He is one upon whom we can safely lean. It means one on whom we safely lean. It means one on whom we can absolutely rely, one upon whom we can depend, one upon whom we can secure ourselves by coming to Him, without ever being in doubt that He will suddenly let us go.”
The Bible provides counsel in this life, whether in family life, the relationship between husband and wife, parents and children, work life, interaction with civil authority, and most of all shows us the way to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Helps us to see our utter depravity, and our sinfulness, and provides for us the way of salvation through the sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus Christ on the cross, who shed His blood to wash away our sins, after Jesus died, He rose again from the dead three days later, victorious over sin and death for our justification. All who come to Him in contrition of heart, turning from our sins to Christ receive pardon for sin and the gift of eternal life in Christ.
Having received Christ, we have His Word to rely on to safely conduct us from this temporal earth to our heavenly home.
The Bible provides counsel in this life, whether in family life, the relationship between husband and wife, parents and children, work life, interaction with civil authority, and most of all shows us the way to salvation in Jesus Christ. Helps us to see our utter depravity, and our sinfulness, and provides for us the way of salvation through the sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus Christ on the cross, who shed His blood to wash away our sins, after Jesus died, He rose again from the dead three days later, victorious over sin and death for our justification. All who come to Him in contrition of heart, turning from our sins to Christ receive pardon for sin and the gift of eternal life in Christ.
Having received Christ, we have His Word to rely on to safely conduct us from this temporal earth to our heavenly home.
CONCLUSION
While the Lord tarries, let us occupy till He comes, by appropriating the Whole Counsel of God’s Perfect Word for every situation that comes in life and by Faith the Counsel of His Word, believing and obeying it thus receiving His eternal blessings. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee