December 13, 2023 -- Proverbs 13:13-14 -- When Worlds Collide

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:13-14 ESV

Yesterday I was listening to a podcast. Del Tackett was speaking at a Ligonier Conference and the title of his message was captivating: “When Worlds Collide”. That title beautifully captures what is happening in these two verses of Proverbs 13. There are two worlds at war. These two are the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ—and that of the defeated Devil. The decisive win was at Calvary, at the cross Jesus disarmed the Devil and made a spectacle of him (Colossians 2:13-15).

The reason so many people get ripped to shreds in this life can be found in the fact that they are blithely unaware of the bullets and bombs and IED’s all around them. The Christian is keenly aware that from the time of Jesus’ birth, when King Herod put to death all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and younger, trying to kill Jesus, Jesus faced the powers of the enemy arrayed against Him. But He loved the Word. He quoted the Old Testament at every battle. He knew the works of the Devil would constantly try to disarm Him. Jesus' defense was the Word of God and the knowledge the Father rewards those who in faith keep His commands.

Even when all Jesus' disciples abandoned Him, He knew His reward was with the Father in heaven. Even at the cross, as He was dying, He held to the word of God knowing that His death would result in victory. He would rise to life and be for all who trust in Him the fountain of life. The Devil will constantly offer you knock-off pleasures and hopes which cannot bear any weight, but shatter into splinters when anyone puts their weight onto them.

The cola Dr. Pepper was knocked off. This was in 2020. The name of the knock-off, wait for it, is Pibb Xtra. (Visually it looks like fib to me…). The point is, the knock off can only imitate the original. It can’t truly replicate it or replace it. Infinitely more so, the Devil can try to knock off the works of Jesus, try to imitate what He does and can only pretend to offer something better. It will always be a fib. We are at war. The Devil is an agent provocateur—always seeking to induce people to commit illegal acts, war acts against the Living God. Believers examine the word of God and the immediately can spot original and not be fooled by the nock-offs of the Devil.

Today’s prayer is from the Psalms.

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!
Psalm 119:33-40 ESV

https://youtu.be/ogS5n0QtSm0?si=qfxQvfcGkKv4FcVK Casting Crowns “While You Were Sleeping”

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