Tuesday, 12th December 2022
Ps Kathy Poon
Section One V1-16 By Humility and the Fear of the Lord
V1-2 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all.” We seek things that have eternal values. We have our choice, we may start low, we may be little, we may not have enough, we may be from a poor family… When we choose to fear the Lord and keep the humble heart, then the riches, honour and life will follow us.
V3-4 “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” When we worship and pray, when we choose to fear the Lord and stay humble, God will provide us wisdom that we can never imagine and comprehend.
V5 “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them.” There are many things in this world that are like thorns and snares in our lives. When we fall into temptation, addiction, and build up a stronghold, Gradually we will fall away from God and eventually these thorns and snares will get to us. We must keep our heart above all else. King David was sleeping while his army was fighting in the front line, then he fell into temptation and sinned against God. When we are not in the right place and not doing the right things, when we do not stay in God’s assigned position for us, then we will leave the favour of God and favour of men.
V6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” When we walk away from the path of God, then we will fall into temptation. We are also children of God, and when God puts us where we are right now, we must keep this path and do not depart from it. We may be wrong, but when we fear the Lord, and stay away from evil, then we may receive favour from men and from God, then riches, honour and life will follow us. Jesus came to this world, He seemed to have nothing but He actually had everything.
V7 “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” We are the servants of God, He is the rich and He rules over us. The darkness may rule over the world but we belong to Jesus Christ and we belong to the Light. We must stay away from sins and anger, God has sovereignty, He sees everything and He knows our heart.
V13 “The lazy man says, there is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” The Bible continues to teach us to be alert, to be diligent, and not to be lazy. A lot of times, it’s not about if we are able, but if we are willing. Because we are not able to start with, but when we are willing, then God will give us strength to make it happen. Do not believe in the lies of Satan, God calls us to have a willing heart, then we can partner with the Holy Spirit, to arise and shine in the place God puts us in. Be willing to respond, those who receive what we are given, God will give us more; whereas those who choose not to receive what God gives us, then He will take whatever we have in our hands.
When we are unwilling, then God will not enable us. We must come before God, and say we are willing, we want to be able, and come to God humbly for His strength to come upon us.
Section Two V17-29 The Wisdom of Servant Leaders
V17-18 “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips.” Our ears should be open and our hearts should accept, trust in the Lord, because this is the key to blessings.
This is also a message to the leaders of the next generation. God raises us up as leaders, we are not here to judge others or to rule over others, but to become the servants of God. God sees everything and He rules over our lives.
V25-26 “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?” Do not think we can be responsible for other people’s lives, and do not give ourselves excuses based on other people’s actions. We must partner with God, because God has His portion for each person. We cannot live other people’s lives for them, but we can pastor-care for them and pray with them.
Be diligent, be willing, be humble, and give 100% for God. Come before Him, be His vessel, and let His Sovereignty reign over our lives!