“Child of God! let the trembling of insufficiency in thyself be stayed by the recollection of all-sufficiency in thy God.? What he demands of thee, that he works in thee.? His covenant secures thy holiness, no less than thine acceptance – thine holiness, not, as some would have it, as the gound, but as the fruit, of thine acceptance.? Let the one then be primarily sought; and the other will assuredly follow.? “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts…for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.’? (Jer. 31: 33, 34)'”
Proverbs 13:18 says, “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:? but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
“The instruction of discipline is God’s ordinance.? Little do those who refuse it know, what a blessing they cast away! (Hebrews 12:10,11)? Poverty and shame are often the Lord’s rod for his wayward children (Luke 15:12-16); two dreaded evils— the one bringing them to want; the other hiding their heads; both disappointing “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.”? (1 John 2:16)? Young persons! learn to dread the liberty of being left to your own choice.? Dread the first step in the downward course, refusing instruction…Know your besetting temptation, ‘as the horse and the mule’? (Ps. 32:9), impatient of restraint.? If godly remonstrance be slighted, all may end in poverty and shame, embittered with the poignant sting of death-bed remorse. (chap. 5:11)…If we be humbled under his reproof, we shall be raised to his throne. (1Pt. 5:6)? Pleasant indeed are his words to his well-disciplined child.? To have our ears open to receive discipline, is to walk in the path of life and happiness (chap. 6:23.? Job 36:10-12); the honour of conformity to our Divine Saviour.”
Why do we waste so much time spinning our wheels to “arrive”?? Where is it we are trying to go?? Who are we trying to keep up with?? Is the grass really greener on the other side?
Resting in His love, mercy, greatness, and trusting that His sovereign plan is what He wants for us is not always easy or reachable in a given moment.? When an accident happens or job loss occurs, for example, it may be really easy to kindle bitterness and questioning.? Some people learn through health challenges that they must rest in the Lord.? When we realize afresh our utter dependence on HIm, when we are sick or needy or hurting we are broken by Him and we learn more of humility and our need of a Saviour.? We must always cling to Christ or Lord, He who endured every kind of suffering, pain and affliction.
The Proverbs are so much a HUGE TREASURE CHEST of wisdom……….more gleanings are coming.? I’m struck by the breadth of issues covered; foibles and follies of human relationships are dealt with throughout the book.