Proverbial Wisdom – 4:1-9

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 4:1-9

This week is going to be a little different. When I began studying and taking notes for this lesson, words were impressed upon my heart. Let the truth from these words sink deep and take root in your soul.

The following (italicized) is the message that I heard:

“Listen dear ones and pay attention to these words. Recognize the truth and wisdom in these sayings. Let these words become an intimate part of you and don’t ever let them out of your sight.”

“Never forsake the Words of the Lord for all of His Words will give you life.”

“Chase after wisdom and understanding. Nail them firmly upon the doorposts of your heart. Meditate daily, hour by hour, breath by breath, upon the life-giving Word. Obeying God’s Word will protect you in your hour of turmoil.”

“Lift up God’s Word. Hold His Word up high so that all mankind might see. Never deny the Word of the Lord and never deny the One who brought the Word in flesh form.”

The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the Word of God. Please never forsake this truth.

Many people are attempting to compromise, change, or dilute the Word of God. But do not fall victim to Satan’s wicked schemes.  Yes…I did say and mean Satan!

Satan is the spirit behind these wicked men who are attempting to substitute man’s words for God’s Word. Therefore, do not be fooled by their charismatic words or by their popularity. Call evil for what it is…evil. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

We are in a mighty battle against wicked principalities who want to suppress the Truth and capture us in their darkness. The true light, Jesus Christ, came to free us from the darkness and give us eternal life. But the rulers of darkness want to change the true light (the Word of God—the Bible), plunging us back into the dark and recapturing our souls.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Currently we are living in a day where people call good…evil and evil…good. The worldly news press demonizes anyone who publicly speaks out supporting the Word of God. Further, when Christians shine the light of God’s Truth upon ungodly rulers, they are called hypocrites. We are truly living in perilous times.

Although we are living in perilous times, we must take a stand and confess the Word of the Lord. Jesus is the Word who was made flesh and lived amongst us (John 1:14). He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Do not deny Him; rather, confess Him before all.  “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:32-34).

Firmly plant your feet in the Word of God and stand strong, never modify or dilute His Word. It is time to arm yourself for battle, so grab your sword and begin marching forward! (Ephesians 6:17).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:1, 14

Three Key Concepts:

1.  We must never forsake the Word of God.

2.  Satan is the spirit who works in the children of disobedience.

3.  We must stand and confess the Word of God.

You Can Run, but You Cannot Hide

But Jonah …went in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord…He bought a ticket…hoping that by going away to the west he could escape from the Lord. But as the ship was sailing along, suddenly the Lord flung a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to send them to the bottom.

Jonah 1:3-4 (NLT)

Within the pages of the Old Testament is the small book of Jonah. Although Jonah is only four chapters long, it still holds many valuable lessons. And as much as I would dearly love to sit with you all day and dissect each and every verse, I simply can’t do that in a weekly blog. So since time and space are limited, I am going to focus on one important lesson from the book of Jonah. The main text for this lesson is Jonah chapter 1, and the spotlight will be on Jonah running from God.

God told Jonah to travel to Nineveh and pronounce God’s judgment against the wickedness of its people (Jonah 1:2). Nineveh was an important Assyrian city and one of Israel’s most dreaded enemies; therefore, Jonah did not want to obey God. Thus, Jonah boarded a ship headed towards Tarshish, the opposite direction from Nineveh.

Many good bible commentaries offer multiple reasons why Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. No matter what his reason was, let’s focus on the fact that Jonah refused to obey God. Since he did not like his God-assigned task, Jonah chose to runaway.

Running from God was not wise! Once Jonah was on board the ship headed for Tarshish and asleep below in the ship’s hold, God sent a powerful storm. Waves began crashing against the ship, threatening to tear it apart. Everyone’s life was in danger (V. 4-5). In a futile attempt to save themselves, the ship’s crew tossed the cargo overboard (V.6). But it was useless—they could not stop the wrath of God!

While the ship’s crew was frantically fighting to stay afloat in the raging storm, Jonah continued sleeping below. He was completely oblivious to the turmoil that his actions caused (V. 5). Jonah, in his stubbornness, had hardened his heart enough against God that he was able to sleep peacefully. But notice that his peace soon vaporized and was replaced with terror.

Frantically, the ship’s captain woke Jonah up and shouted, “…How can you sleep at a time like this...Get up and pray to your God!”(Jonah 1:6, NLT). Even after Jonah became aware that people’s lives were at stake, he persisted in his stubbornness. He didn’t fess up and let the captain know that he was the cause of the storm. Instead, the crew had to cast lots to discover the cause of their calamity. Jonah lost the toss, “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23, NLT).

Once discovered, Jonah confessed that he was running from God.  “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. For I know that this terrible storm is all my fault” (Jonah 1:12, NLT). Eventually, the crew did throw Jonah into the raging sea and immediately the storm ceased. The offender was tossed away and peace returned.

Jonah’s disobedience caused collateral damage. People who were on the ship with him lost their cargo and they nearly lost their lives. Sin has consequences that are often deadly and far-reaching.

Like Jonah, if you run from God you create problems not only for yourself, but also for the people around you. Whether they are your loved ones, your friends, or mere acquaintances, they can be hurt in the fall-out of your disobedience. That fall-out can be devastating!

Sometimes, God may tell you to do something that you don’t want to do. You may be tempted to do a “Jonah” and run away. Or you might even try to pretend that you didn’t hear God. It won’t work! You cannot consciously thumb your nose at God and get by with it. Eventually there will be a price to pay and that price may be high.

God loves you too much to let you go without a fight. He will pursue you. He found Jonah and He can find you. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Psalms 139:7-8). 

Perhaps you may be saying right now, “God has never given me a direct command.”  I disagree! God’s Word, the Bible, is a direct command to everyone—and that “everyone” includes you.

Are there currently any raging storms in your life because you are running from God? Or maybe you are openly defying Him by refusing to submit to His commands? Stop running! Throw your sins overboard and let peace return.

Oh, and one last suggestion—don’t climb on board a ship with someone who is running from God!

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psalm 119:67

Three Key Concepts:

1.  You cannot hide from God.

2.  Sin has consequences that can be deadly.

3.  God loves you so much that He will make waves to save you.