JUST GIVE ME JESUS!
Proverbs 16:2-3, 5-9 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
[3] Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
[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.
[8] Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
[9] A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
In our text today, the wisdom by which the Lord gave Solomon to give to us is overwhelming.
(Proverbs 16) is absolutely a life changing chapter if we will submit ourselves to these wonderful truths given to us by God. The Word of God reveals to us that HE has searched me and known me to the very depths of my soul and there is nothing that is hidden from HIS sight. I will never find myself in a place where HE cannot see me or know me. (Verse 1) declares that “the Lord weigheth the spirits.” Even when “I” feel like I am right in my own eyes and my walk with Jesus is clean and my motives are pure, the Lord sees much deeper than the surface and weighs me out by HIS truth and holiness. Sometimes we can get caught up in serving the Lord in a fleshly and carnal spirit with a proud heart and this will change every aspect of our Christian walk with Jesus. If we allow a carnal and proud spirit to rule us, this will change the way we think, worship, witness, preach, teach, and all along the LORD is NOT directing our steps…WE ARE! My friend, this is a very dangerous place to be in the sight of others and even more importantly, our Lord.
When a worldly carnal spirit drives the heart and ambitions of a Christian, the sight is NOT pretty and is surely not pleasing to God. When we think about how the WORLD operates in its’ economy…it is the complete opposite in the Spiritual realm. For those who are NOT saved and know not the Holy Spirit, they are led by another spirit. This spirit, that is NOT holy, leads our world into chaos and sin through pride, greed, and lust that will never be satisfied. Have you ever noticed in our world there seems to be NO CONTENTMENT? The eyes of man are never satisfied. The world seemingly always needs more. They are always looking to climb the corporate ladder in hopes for something bigger, better, newer or a better job, and more money and the list goes on and on and it is never enough! My Christian friend, it will NEVER be enough in a million lifetimes, because this flesh will NOT and can NOT be satisfied. When I came across (Verse 8) in our text as a preacher friend of mine says “the letters were 6 inches tall and jumping off the page at me.” The Word tells us, that “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” In other words…Solomon says to us you can have this old world, JUST GIVE MEJESUS! Hallelujah! David said, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” When we are led by the Holy Spirit, and it is the Lord directing our steps, and when Jesus is near; we are filled, and we are satisfied and we want for nothing else! Oh that the Lord would give us as HIS children the same fire and desire for righteousness and holiness as the world has for all of its thrills and empty promises.
It is my hope and prayer for you today that our Lord would guard your heart and intentions by sifting through them with HIS holiness and HIS will and purpose for you. May the Lord direct your steps upon HIS path of selflessness and grace. Oh that God’s Spirit would help us that we would choose to die to ourselves and be clothed in humility and God’s character and not our own. Dear Lord, give us a desire to be the least among men and put others first, knowing in heaven we will be made like unto Christ! This day may your life be a living testimony that others may be drawn to the Cross. Starting now would you live for Jesus with a fervency like never before? Counting yourself and everything in this world as nothing that others may gain Christ. Praise the Lord that Jesus is all we will ever need!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”