Sometimes in life we chose to align ourselves with the wrong set of people without realising that it has negative implications for us when it is too late. I am sure that we could reflect on the number of individuals who have crossed our paths that in spite of the best counsel, they went ahead headlong down a path of destruction. Like Adam the plain ‘thus saith the Lord’ appears too strict and like the proverbial noose around their neck then ventured off a path to ‘freedom’ only to end up enslaved and entrapped. It is amazing that in spite of the number of examples that have been seen there are still so many who chose to cast a blind eye and keep moving on the path to destruction. Consider Adam for a moment. Here he was in a pristine and sinless environment where the foliage on the trees blossomed, the environment had no hint of pollution and communication with God was face to face. There could hardly be anything like it that we would have or ever know on this side of life. And yet in spite of all the tangible evidence around him that God was in control and has blessings in store if only he followed Him closely Adam chose to disobey God. Satan enticed Eve who then enticed him into believing that God was withholding something far better than they were experiencing. The results are with us to this day. Yet God said in Psalm 1:1-3 “1Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper”. God had provided the prescription for true and lasting happiness which is to walk in the path of His counsel. You see my dear friends; when you and I chose to take the path that God has ordained even with the best enticements we would be kept safe since our delight will always be to please God. Joseph’s experience with Potiphar is a fitting example of the power of alignment with God who provides the tenacity for us to withstand the allurements of the enemy. We will prosper as we remain connected to Christ since we will receive the daily refreshing in our lives that comes from his throne. Solomon in Proverbs 1:8-19 provides excellent counsel especially to the young when he said “8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 10My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. 11If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; 12let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—15my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. 17How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! 18These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! 19Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it”. Such profoundly simple counsel that if heeded will provide a wall of protection that will redound to our benefit in the long run. God, through Solomon is saying that ‘if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them’ yet the inducements appear to be too good to not succumb to. And like Adam we continue to place ourselves in the paths of enticements forgetting that God will not spare us the negative consequences of our actions. This morning I plead with you to heed the counsel of God for He is a particular God. God wants to protect us from ourselves as well as the negative consequences of our actions. This is what He says in Proverbs 1:22-33. “22“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 24But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. 30Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 11:20:55 +0000
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