If’s and Then’s/Blessings follow Obedience

1 Reply

 

 

Timothy Shields / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 2

Class in Session

Proverbs 2 begins with “my son.”  The king, a father, is teaching his child; pleading with his offspring to receive (LISTEN AND LEARN) and keep (OBEY) the instructions he is not only telling this impressionable soul, but writing down.  This is VITAL information.

Scripture is filled with “ifs and thens.”  

The IFs of the proverb are:

If you cry out for knowledge and speak asking for understanding and 

If you seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding as silver like you would search for a treasure.

The THEN’s of the proverb  are:

The then follows the ifs

Then the fear of the LORD, 

Then the knowledge of God  (for it is the LORD who gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding) will supply this in your life:

  1. Act as a buckler (shield over the heart)
  2. Preserve the saints
  3. Give understanding of righteousness, judgment and equity and good journeys
  4. Give pleasantness (happiness)
  5. Provide discretion
  6. Deliver one from evil, evil people, and strangers

The Choice

In other words, the ifs (choosing obedience or disobedience) leads to the thens (consequences-good or bad based on the choice).

Prayer

My Father in Heaven,

Thank You for godly parents–not perfect, but they taught me right from wrong, refused to tolerate lies, and expected my very best in order that I might live a life protected by You, LORD.  

LORD, guide my adult children in Your paths of righteousness.  We did our best to teach the if’s and then’s.  We often failed and yet Your Word reminds me You take even the things that appear as complete and utter failure and use it for Your honor and glory and our good as You grow us up in spiritual maturity.

Father, may my granddaughters be taught, by all those You have placed in their lives, these vital lessons.  May we never shirk our responsibilities to teach wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for this is more valuable than the passing down of money.  

Father, give us all as children of the Most High God, the hunger and thirst for wisdom and righteousness that our souls may be at peace.  As Americans, Lord, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

Thank You Father, for Your Holy Spirit who teaches, helps us remember, guides, directs, and protects us.  Lord, may we heed the instructions of Your Word.

 

If My People by Jimmy Owens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPY-CrPtdKw

This entry was posted in Diving Deeper, Yvonne Jones and tagged , , on by .

About Yvonne Jones

I am at heart, a LIFEguard: "big" sister, mama, grandmother, aunt, friend, swimming coach, lifeguard trainer, and registered nurse. I am in the business of alleviating fear through education and lots of hand holding. As a swimming instructor, I have taught people of all ages to overcome fear of the water and I marvel as fear gives way to fearlessness, as panic turns to pure joy, as tears dissolve into giggles of glee, and pennies retrieved from the bottom of the abyss become trophies. As a nurse, I have been privileged to walk up to Heaven's gate as patients and family are welcomed home, witnessed the miracle of birth, helped mend broken hearts, and cared for the elderly as they wait. Scriptures number one admonition is "fear not." Question is HOW??? The Word becomes our swimming instructor and can help us learn to "tread water til Jesus comes." Something my students often thought I was going to make them do! So welcome to my pool! Jump in the cool water. Let it refresh your soul and feel the unseen hands of the Master Lifeguard lift you up and out of the deep water. Who knows, you just might even walk on water!

One thought on “If’s and Then’s/Blessings follow Obedience”

We would love to hear from you