Proverbs 24:10 - Adversity

January 13, 2021

Adversity #

Proverbs 24:10

Introduction

Proverbs 24 covers a topic that I don’t think we have covered this clearly. These two proverbs are quite interesting, and though they are distinctly different, they are also related well.

These are meaty topics, this is not the milk of the Word, as Peter described. I hope and pray it is a blessing, thought provoking, challenging and something that we can grow on.

I. Stand strong (Proverbs 24:10) #

A. Adversity will come #

i. Sometimes christians think that life should be after salvation, life should be smooth sailing… no problems. #

James 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

ii. Your faith will be tried. - What is tried? #

  • Hardship, sickness, a global pandemic, religious persecution, God asking you to step out
  • Testing (or trial) - it is stressed, stretched, pressed, poked, aggravated, hammered, heated,
  • 1 Cor 11:23-27 – Paul’s Persecutions...

1John 3:11 ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

B. Stand Strong! #

1Cor. 16:13 ¶ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

  • Fast – literally, set, stopped, fixed, or pressed close, firm, immovable, strong
  • quit – to carry through; to do or perform something to the end

Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

How?? Eph 6:10 – in the power of his might.

II. Stand Boldly (Proverbs 24:11-12) #

Forbear – to stop, cease, pause, delay. To refuse.

A. Physically #

i. Physically not helping someone! #

  • Luke 10, Jesus teaches the parable of the ‘good Samaritan’. … a man was beaten, but the good Samaritan came along, to this mans aid. Surely he would have died.
  • We should learn that when we are able to come to the aid of a someone, and prevent the death of that person, we should do so.

B. Spiritually #

i. There is a far deeper value of spiritual truth here… #

Matt. 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

ii. Sin ends in death #

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

iii. People are dying! #

Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

iv. We have the Words of Life! - Responsibility #

C. Excuses! (12 “we knew it not”) #

i. Man is quick to excuse himself from responsibility #

  • You can give me excuses… and I may say, ok.
  • It is God, you have to answer too!

ii. “pondereth the heart” “keepeth the soul” God! #

III. Sweet Reward (Proverbs 24:13-14) #

A. Honey is sweet  (13) #

i. Sweet treats are often a treat, or reward for doing something right. #

  • I love Ice Cream! - While growing up in a christian home. Usually Sunday Nights after church, we would eat Ice Cream in our house. After that was established, we as kids, loved Revival services, and missions conferences… on the way home, we hollered, “It’s a church night! So we get ice cream!”
  • Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

B. Reward #

i. Knowledge of wisdom… #

  • Knowledge is information, but knowing wisdom… comes solely from God.
  • Psa. 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
  • This is a prayer to God, because God alone is the arbiter of wisdom.
  • All of man’s wisdom combine, dulls in comparison to God!
  • Prov. 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

C. Exceeds everything! (14) #

  • God’s knowledge of wisdom will exceed any expectation you could imagine.
Tags: Stand Trials