Proverbs 16:5-7 (Thursday)

Proverbs 16:5-7(KJV): 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Thoughts for the Day These verses in Proverbs reveal to us how the Lord deals with the wicked and proud, as well as His dealings with the righteous. Verse 5 states that those who are proud in their hearts are very offensive to the Lord. This kind of pride is an attitude of arrogance. It is opposed to the heart attitude of humility which the Bible says is of great price before God. Verse 5 also states that even though two people might be joined together hand in hand, they will be judged separately. If a righteous person is joined with a wicked one in marriage, the one who is wicked will not go unpunished because of the righteous one. Yes, the prayers and love of a righteous person will prolong judgement on the wicked, but there is a day coming when all men must stand before the Lord and each will give an account for his or her deeds. When a man's space of time for repentance runs out, then no man can prolong the judgement of God. God is very merciful and desires that all men come to repentance. However, God is also a just God, and punishment and judgement must come on all sin and sinners. That is why the Bible says , "...behold now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthian 6:2: "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" Time is running out for many people. We need to make our decision to serve Christ today while there is time to do so. Verse 6 tells us that the Lord, by His mercy and truth, can free us of our sin and iniquity. Our part is to line up with the truth of God and receive His mercy and He will purge our hearts of evil. The other part of this verse tells us that by the fear of the Lord we will depart from evil. This kind of fear is a holy respect for God and His Word. If we really believe when God says in His Word that sinners will go to hell, this holy respect for God's Word will drive us to God and we will depart from evil. Verse 7 tells us that when our ways please the Lord, He will even make our enemies to be at peace with us. What a wonderful promise of the Lord! God will fight for us and will take care of us. He does not want us to be in strife with men. Our enemy is not other men, but rather the devil who uses men for his evil work. If we take authority over the real enemy and pray for those who are pawns in his hand, we can experience not only our deliverance but theirs as well. The Lord told us to overcome evil with good. When we obey God in that commandment, He will take care of our enemies and cause them to be at peace with us.