Day 152, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Proverbs 22, 23, 24; Psalm 49 (more…).
Hope or No Hope—What is the Key?
We all want hope in our lives, the confidence that we are going to succeed in the future. It is more than a simple wish; we desire to live in such a way that it gives us success. How can we do it? What is the key that opens the door to a better future?
In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon shares many various jewels of wisdom. One of these gems is about securing our hope. We may not be able to secure all hope, but we can improve our chances of success in this life and assure our confidence in the next. How? Solomon informs us,
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares [difficulties and traps which leave no hope], but he who guards his soul stays far from them (Proverbs 22:4-5, NIV).Do we fear the LORD? Do we have a personal relationship with him, which causes us to reverence him and live the way he desires? Are we walking in humility before him so that we will listen to his directions? Are we willing to do whatever he wants, or do we have our own plan?
It is easy to follow our natural inclinations, to pursue our own course. Many Christians envy what the world has and seek its paths to success. Solomon tells us, however, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18, NIV).
Living in reverence for the LORD and obeying his Word (the Bible) gives us hope in this life and the next. (more...)
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul [as honey is to your taste]; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14, NIV).How is this true? Solomon instructs his sons about the benefits of wisdom:
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
- then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
- Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good path, for wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
- Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
- It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God, for her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
- Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it (Proverbs 2:1-22, NIV).
- Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed (Proverbs 3:13-18, NIV) .
These verses instruct us that a life of wisdom gives us hope for success and protects us from destruction.
Evil men, although they may succeed by their vices, will ultimately come to trouble and calamity.
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?Discussion
We all want hope in our lives. Where can we find it? What is the key that opens the door to a better future?
When we live in reverence to God and walk in his wisdom, what benefits will come to us? What will happen to the wicked who do not follow this path?
Focus Verse
Proverbs 24:14 (NIV) “Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
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Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson from Proverbs, we will be talking about sharing secrets. Is Gossip so bad?
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