February 1 – God’s Value System (2 Timothy 3:12)

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.”(Proverbs 16:7)

IN WORD:
The wisdom literature of the Scriptures contains certain principles of life that we do not always see in our experience. Consider the verse above, for example. Yet we know that the ways of Jesus, and even of Stephen, Paul, Peter, and many other victims of aggression, were pleasing to the Lord — and their enemies did not live at peace with them. What are we to do when we find principles like this that are overwhelmingly affirmed in Scripture and so often NOT affirmed in experience? Shall we deny the truth of the Bible?
Obviously not. The Bible is our Word of life. It has never proven false. What we see in the wisdom books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, among others, is a description of the way life is supposed to work. They are not always absolute statements of cause & effect; they are often guiding principles of God’s value system. If they contain promises, the promises will be fulfilled. How could it be otherwise? They come from the Faithful One. But they may not be fulfilled today. You may first have adversaries. Your good may be repaid with evil. You may live the principles of God and still see the aggression of the enemy — for a time.

IN DEED:
The wisdom of Scripture is deeper than we think. These are not superficial platitudes. They are truths to be mined like precious jewels. We need to explore the truths of God’s wisdom deeply and let it be written into our hearts. We must know His value system inside & out.
Do not be discouraged when you encounter verses that have not been realized in your own life. Trust that they will be. Be patient, and have constant faith in God, and you will eventually see the promise as facts. God’s value system will prevail, and His light will penetrate all darkness. Those who hold to His Word will be vindicated in the end.

“God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.” -David Nicholas-