Proverbs 21: 27-31

If someone brought a sacrifice To God, but there was no repentance in their heart; no sorrow for sin, God would not be pleased with that offering (27 cf. Prov.15:8). In the same way, God hates religious observance today that goes through outward motions but leaves the life unchanged. When people go to church services for ceremonial or showy (or for other unworthy) reasons, but have no real consideration for God, this is surely detestable to Him.

The next proverb in (28; see Isaiah 9:15 31) shows how much God prizes honesty and hates deceit and lies. Christians should be scrupulously honest. A liar destroys both himself and the one who believes his lie. We remember that our Lord was crucified because there were people who lied about Him and there were others who wanted to hear and believe their lies. (We should also take heart from the fact that God the Father vindicated Him in the resurrection and exposed those lies for what they were.)                                  A wicked man ”puts up a bold front” (29). He refuses to admit he is wrong and pursues his evil plans. But a godly person doesn’t bluster through. He is prepared to listen to others, admit his mistakes and alter his course. He ”gives thought” to his life and doesn’t rush headlong towards destruction. It is stupid to continue down a route that is obviously wrong.                                                       We should take great encouragement from (30). Plans are still made ”against the LORD” in as much as they are made against His body the church. Man’s (and ultimately the devil’s) hatred of Jesus is vented against the Lord’s people. It is still true to say that ”the nations conspire and the peoples plot” (Ps.2:1), but they do so ”in vain”. It is still true to say that men rebel against God’s/Christ’s rule (Ps. 2:2,3). They do not want Him to reign over them. But it is also still true to say that ”The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” (Ps.2:4). God knows they will not succeed. No coup will topple His government, and the Kingdom of His Son will triumph in the earth. As someone said, going against God is like playing chess against a Grand Master. Even the moves you make against Him He uses to defeat you. Nowhere do we see this more clearly than on Calvary’s hill.

Whatever we do, we need to know that victory comes from the Lord (31). There definitely are things for us to do and we must not seek to evade our responsibilities. We have to get the ”horses” ready. We must fulfill our obvious responsibilities. But we look to God for the winning of the war (Ex.17:10-13; Esther 4:12-14).

Prayer: Help me Lord to get on with my responsibilities, but always looking to you for your triumphant work in and through mine.