Proverbs 28

READ CHAPTER 28 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE!

  

  VERSES TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

 

Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

 

Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV)

Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
 Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

This chapter is loaded with things about government and rulers (one of my husband’s favorite subjects). My hope is that you have gleaned some things on your own about that because I am unable to go there with you….LOL.

 

My focus today is on verse 13:

He who covers his sins will not prosper. But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

 

Immediately this verse came to mind:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~1 John 1:8-9

 

I have been saved, set free, and cleansed by the mercy and love of my Savior, Jesus Christ!!! Oh, and how grateful I am for that!!! I was saved when I was 19, so my teenage years are ones I am not proud of AT ALL. In fact it used to torment me and bring me shame when I thought of them. Have these thoughts ever gone through your mind?

 

-“How can you be of any use to the Kingdom of God?”

-“Remember what you did?”

-“There are people who know what you used to be.”

-“You are no good.”

-“You are a failure.” 

 

These thoughts are meant to make you ineffective. They are from Satan, the accuser of the brethren! His goal for you is death and destruction.  However, Jesus’ goal is simple….LIFE!

“God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” ~John 3:17

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” ~Romans 8:1

 

I always wondered why it’s so much easier to accept the bad thoughts rather than the good ones. I read this scripture and it made sense:

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. ~Isaiah 55:8

 

Our thoughts are not naturally God’s thoughts.  In order for our thoughts to be in line with His thoughts we must be immersed in a daily communication with Him through prayer and scripture. God didn’t promise us easy…He promised us good!

If you are struggling with thoughts of unworthiness, let me encourage you today:

 

-Jesus has cleansed you from ALL unrighteousness ……………….1 John 1:8-9

-Jesus came so that you can have an ABUNDANT life…………….John 10:10

-Jesus threw your sins as far as the east is from the west……………Psalm 103:12

-Jesus sanctified you (called you out of darkness) with His blood………1 Cor. 6:11

-Jesus set you free from the bondage of sin………………………………Galatians 5:1

-The old person you were is gone…………………………………….2 Cor. 5:17

 

 

STAND FIRM ON THE PROMISES OF JESUS!

 

I love the bit in Lion King when Rafiki, the monkey, hits Simba on the head with his stick. Simba says “ Ouch! What was that for?”  Rafiki responds, “It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.”  The truth is our past is wiped clean with the confession of our sins. It doesn’t matter anymore and it doesn’t define who we are anymore.

 

 

 

I love this scripture (it’s one of my favorites) and this is how I define my life:

 

To provide for those who grieve in Zion

To bestow BEAUTY instead of ashes

The oil of JOY instead of mourning

And a garment of  PRAISE instead of a spirit of despair

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

A planting of the Lord

For the display of his splendor

~Isaiah 61:3

 

Let the Lord’s splendor be displayed through your testimony. He has given you beauty, joy and praise. He has made you an oak of righteousness to display His splendor. I love that!! I'm going to say it again…..

HE HAS MADE YOU AN OAK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO DISPLAY HIS SPLENDOR!!

 

Let that be your daily definition and thought pattern! Without the blood we are all unworthy, but I am so thankful for the mercy of a Savior who was willing to pay it all for my eternal rest.

 

“JESUS PAID IT ALL. ALL TO HIM I OWE. SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN. HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW!!”

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NAOMI CHANCE is the wife of almost 16 years to Dale, and homeschooling mom to three children.  She serves as Ladies' Ministries Director at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, where her whole family is very active, and each serve in some capacity.