Victory in Jesus is one of my favorite gospel songs. It reminds me of the atoning work of Jesus for me; to redeem, cleanse, heal, and open my eyes to the Truth of the Father’s love for me. As a believer, I have victory because I have repented of sin and chose to reach for his godliness. The Lord guides, directs, and has authority over all things. Therefore, if I stay focused on my Lord, I never have to fear not being in the right place at the right time; I will not miss a single good thing God has for me. I have victory over sin and death to live in Christ and, if you have repented and been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, so do you!
In our passage this morning from Proverbs 21, King Solomon reminds us of the power, knowledge, and presence of the Lord over all creation and this Lord examines the motives of human hearts. Think about how God knows the hearts that run to share goodness and the hearts that run to do evil. God can move people around and in and out of positions according to his will. He knows the leaders who will honor his Word and who will not. As believers, when we do the will of the Lord, we may not always see the results right away, but God sees the Truth of our discipleship. God knows and has the power to position any human being where he or she can bring the most good for the benefit of Christ and his Kingdom.
Now, as God’s sons and daughters, we may not like where we are positioned sometimes, because God does not ask us where we want to serve, what we want our responsibilities to involve, or if we like the people with whom we serve. God simply positions us, guides and empowers us, and asks us to go and do his will where he places us. Learning to treasure our call from the Lord is a part of our transformation; to become disciples [students] of Christ.
God has moved kings, presidents, and other leaders throughout history in order to accomplish his justice and reveal his glory. There have been times in my life where I did not understand God’s positioning process, but down the road of life a bit farther it all made sense to me. Christ was discipling me, so I could disciple others. I was learning valuable lessons that would help prepare, sustain, and make me victorious in the next place the Lord was taking me. Therefore, keeping a humble attitude is essential, because we must be motivated to do the will of God.
Proverbs 21 NLT
1
The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases.
2
People may be right in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their heart.
3
The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.
4
Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin.
5
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6
Wealth created by a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
7
The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8
The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.
9
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
10
Evil people desire evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11
If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
12
The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.
13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.
14
A secret gift calms anger;
a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
15
Justice is a joy to the godly,
but it terrifies evildoers.
16
The person who strays from common sense
will end up in the company of the dead.
17
Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
18
The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.
19
It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
20
The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.
21
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22
The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.
23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.
24
Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.
25
Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.
26
Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!
27
The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
28
A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
29
The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.
30
No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, you have called us to be your disciples and you continue to use all of Scripture to help us discover and learn your righteous ways. Our human wisdom is inadequate, but your divine Wisdom in Christ makes us victorious as disciples. Examine our hearts and motives; help us grow in Truth. Give us eyes to see evil and run from it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.