Proverbs 28
Scripture
Vs 2 “… with a man of understanding and knowledge, (the land’s) stability will long continue.”
VS 5 “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”
Vs 7 “The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.”
VS 9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”
Vs 16 “A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”
Observation
Understanding can bring stability for the long term.
But the understanding must be of the ways of God.
The ways of God are understood by seeking God and hearing His word.
This will bring about a concern for others, for their well-being, for their justice … in other words “keeping the Law”.
A picture of this reality lived out is … long term stability.
Application
There’s a famed quote that the “long arch of the universe bends toward justice”.
Well, if it does, this is not a natural bend.
Human nature, my nature, is sinful. It will bend toward me!
The natural order of things bends toward chaos, not order.
Injustice, not justice.
I must every day, all of my life, seek an influence outside of myself.
In my day-to-day activity, do I consider the long term?
Do I think about the “prolonging of my days”?
If I want them to “long continue” with “stability”, then I better gain understanding.
Problem is there is every kind of “understanding” i could ever dream of right at my fingertips.
I can even take Ivy League classes online for free if I wanted to.
I can “understand” virtually anything I could imagine with a few instructional YouTube videos.
There’s a video for anything I want to “understand”!
Sure, I could watch 100 documentaries on justice, but how will I “understand” justice?
There is only one way … “seek the Lord”.
I must seek the Lord’s understanding.
And how will I seek the Lord? … “hear the Law”.
And how will the reality of justice come about? … “keep the Law”.
So, “seek the Lord” … “hear the Law” … “keep the Law” … and stability in the land may continue.
Prayer
Thank you again God for you Word.
Keep me thirsty for seeking You.
Help me crave your understanding.
Prompt me to keep your word.
Help me prolong stability in my family and in whatever corner of Your Kingdom you have for me.
Thank you in Jesus name.
Amen.