The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Proverbs 10:27-32
Prolongs days. (add strength = grow stronger)
Will be gladness. (glad result, gleeful issue)
Is Strength. (figurative, of God as refuge)
Never be moved. (secure)
Brings forth wisdom. (bears the fruit of wisdom, prudence)
Know what is acceptable. (assuredly, be aware goodwill, favor)
Each of these positives is followed by a BUT showing the negatives which, sadly are often too common. The positives have a far better outcome than the negatives!
The Question: Why when we have the opportunity to make a choice that is all positive do we chose to ignore it and follow the ways of fools?
The Answer: Because of the first 5 words of Proverbs 10:27: "The fear of the Lord."
Instead of having a reverence for who God is, we would rather declare ourselves god and follow the folly of our own ways leading us to misery and death. We may say we believe in God, but that doesn't mean we fear Him. The devils believe in God too—and they know what God can do! But they don't obey God.
Belief and reverence for God MUST translate into obedience of His wisdom. We can't expect the positives to happen if we ignore the foundation of fearing God and obeying Him.
Each attitude and action is based wether we fear God or hate God. If a heart is truly permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then the attitudes and actions will result in the positives listed in Proverbs 10:27-32.
Positives—a far better outcome!
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