Resting in God's Sovereignty

Prov 3.19         The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;                 by understanding he established the heavens; 20         by his knowledge the deeps broke open,                 and the clouds drop down the dew. 21         My son, do not lose sight of these—                 keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22         and they will be life for your soul                 and adornment for your neck.         What are "these"? It is a referent to what precedes. The founded the earth and established the heavens (in wisdom). When you remember these truths then the following will result:         1. Will walk securely ((foot will not stumble)) - v.23         2. Will not be afraid when lie down ((sleep will be sweet)) - v.24         This is what directly relates to trusting in God's sovereignty. There are other results the Teacher gives us in the way of exhortations. These exhortations are only possible in light of what God has already done.         You will be able to give good to someone when they deserve it; you won't try to get the upper hand all the time (v.27). You won't plan evil against your neighbor (v.28). You will not plan evil against someone (v.29). You won't argue with someone for no reason (v.30). You will not envy the wicked (v.31).         Another reason why we are empowered to do all these things revolves around the fact that God favors those who fear him (and keep his commands as a result, as evidenced in the proverb). YHWH's curse is on the house of the wicked. No matter how big and luxurious the house is, there remains a curse on it. Although it is white and dazzling on the outside, the life and living that go on inside are abominations - disobedient children, acquiescent parents, no discipline, vulgar language, sloth, gluttony, gossip, slander, scheming, and the like. This is a curse! But on the little, simple, ruddy house of the righteous his favor rests. He is not set against those who fear him. He works for them! He serves their good. Does this cause boasting in the righteous? Not at all lest they cease to be righteous! Verse 34 says that God favors the humble. That is, the truly righteous are those who understand that anything they have God has first given to them. There is laid up for us an inheritance of honor. This inheritance is mentioned in many ways...we will behold his face, have eternal life, live in houses constructed by GOD, rule over cities, kingdom and dominion (Dan. 7:27). This will all happen in the last day once the wheat and the chaff are separated, once those who fear and those who boast in self are marked. Why at the end? So that those who fear may be shown to be those who truly feared the Lord and not just offered lip service with hearts far from the Lord. March 16, 2005 6:44 AM