Id like to call this the “consequence” chapter. It’s a chapter of opposites or maybe a chapter of choices. Maybe it should be called the “cause and effect” chapter?
Here is a taste of what I’m talking about….
A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
I won’t read the whole chapter right here and now but Prov 14 is 35 verses of “what to expect”
We always want to talk about consequences like they are only harsh(He got what he had coming to him) and mostly end up being for disciplinary purposes but there is a positive opposite of this.
A life done right = blessings God designed for us
A life done wrong = reaping yuck
I actually loved reading this chapter as I saw hope-
8 The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
14 Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
There is hope here for those that want to make choices that line up with Gods promises. He is a rewarder of those that follow Him! It could be easy to look at these verses and see what happens when we fail. When we are selfish or proud. When we listen to the one who wants to deceive us.
God always has a generous reward in store when we follow Him. His return is also greater then our temporary euphoria when something goes our way.
26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
34 Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
So often we get caught up in the here and now and forget that our choices here have eternal value! The things we do here today really do matter. Tell yourself that next time you are feeling useless, stuck in neutral, ho-humming through your day, wondering when your going to feel something other than muted.
I can choose to be prudent and Godly in this day. I can choose to be peaceful and fear the Lord. I can work hard and plan to do good. I can choose to be honest, wise and understanding. If we look at just the verses in this one chapter, we see what the rewards are – they are great! I won’t be crushed. I will be healthy, honor my maker and be free of jealousy. God will be a refuge to me. Cause and effect. God said do this….and I will give you this. He always has good plans for us and good gifts for us! Good consequences!
Can you trust Him knowing that He always has good plans? That whatever step you take in faith even if it seems completely out of your norm or comfort zone – He has a reward in store that will make your present discomfort seem ridiculously small and oh so worth it? Let Him handle it – you just do what He puts in front of you. You be prudent, Godly, peaceful, fear the Lord, work hard, plan to do good, be honest, wise and understanding…and let Him take care of your outcome and reward….you know He’s good for it!