Proverbs 3: 1-10.
THIS chapter is full of safe instructions for the right ways of life. The truly happy life is one of continual (not just occasional) dependence upon God, as every Christian ought to know, and many have proved in their own experience.
Seven rewards for living according to God's Word are named in the first ten verses which also set out seven certain marks of the godly. Let us first weigh well the true marks of the godly which are named in these verses.
The first one is that God's Word is in the mind, not forgotten, and in the heart, kept, stored up. Depend upon it, if the Bible is one's treasured daily companion, the daily life will show it in many ways.
The third verse gives the second and third marks: Mercy (really loving kindness) and truth. These are admirable qualities surely, which should be shown out in every contact with our fellowmen.
Verses 5 and 6 give the fourth mark of a godly person: He confides in God with all his heart; he does not rely upon his own intelligence or discernment. In all his ways he looks to God as over him.
Verse 7 points out the fifth and sixth marks: the godly than is not puffed up about himself; he distrusts himself, indeed. And, fearing the Lord, he departs from evil; he separates himself from every wrong thought, word, way and companionship.
The last of the seven marks of a godly person is in verse 9: he honors God with what he possesses; he gives to Him; in His name he gives to the Lord's servants and for the Lord's work, liberally.
God has chosen these seven marks, by which those who trust in Him are to be known. Shall we not, each of us who love the Lord Jesus, earnestly seek to have all of these marks seen in us, constantly?
Now for the seven rewards, contained in the same ten verses. The first (verse 2) is length of days and years of life added. The Christian does not expect to die but looks for the Lord Jesus to end his earthly stay by His coming to take His heavenly people away to glory; nevertheless and in view of that a long life spent in the fear of God, and lived in the light of His Word, is full of testimony for the Lord, and is a great blessing. (See Isaiah 26: 3; 57: 21, also Philippians 4: 6, 7).
Favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man (verse 4) are the third and fourth in the list.
The fifth is in verse 6. God assures us all who confide in Him, a plain way; they will know the way they should go as they journey through life.
The eighth verse brings us the sixth blessing: health. The tenth verse the seventh, abundance of food and drink.
We can see that all of these seven blessings are earthly, and we know that it often pleases God to not let His children have every earthly blessing, in order that they may have their minds centered on the glorious future, eternity with the Lord Jesus. (But see Mark 10:29-3129And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Mark 10:29‑31); Philippians 4:19,19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) and Luke 12:22-3122And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:22‑31)).
Messages of God’s Love 4/10/1932