(Prov 22:8 NLT) Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.
This morning we continue our series entitled “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Some say that you need to hear something at least five times before it firmly registers in your memory. When teaching the Israelites about the importance of getting the Word down inside their children Moses said: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deut 6:6-9). Moses’ point was that we, as parents, must do all that we can to get the message of God’s Word written upon the hearts of our children and doing so will require repetition. In the New Testament Paul used repetition to get the message across as well. When writing to the church in Philippi Paul said, “It doesn’t bother me to write the same things to you that I have written before. In fact, it is for your own good” (3:1). My mother must’ve read what Paul said because she repeated things to me over, and over, and over and would then say, “It’s for your own good.”
There is some value in repetition and Solomon must’ve understood this as well. Time and time again, in many different ways, Solomon has driven home the message that we will reap whatever we sow. Today Solomon beats that same drum. He has made is painstakingly clear by now that should not expect a good harvest if you are sowing bad seed. Good or bad, righteous or wicked, male or female, young or old, we will all reap whatever we sow! I believe we have that message, but Solomon added a second in this verse. The second message is that abused power will not last. That’s something we should take the time to prayerfully consider this morning. Many of you (my readers) are people of power, position, and prominence. The Lord has blessed you to be in a position where you can exercise authority over others. The message to you this morning is: DON’T ABUSE THAT AUTHORITY!
There are many examples in scripture of leaders (kings, judges, priests, etc.) who abused their authority, only to find themselves cut off shortly thereafter. Just as fast as God’s favor can raise up a leader and catapult him or her to success, God’s opposition can cause them to plummet to oblivion (see Psalm 75:7).
So what does this mean to you today? Three things:
1. Don’t get upset with repetitious information. The Lord may be attempting to teach you something and you need to hear it more than once.
2. You will reap whatever you sow. There is no way around it, so be very careful what type of seeds you are sowing – with your words and actions – because they will produce a harvest.
3. Abused power will not last. Never abuse the power the Father has blessed you to yield, because if you do, you might wake up one morning without it. Be thankful for the authority you are blessed to exercise and seek to use it for God’s glory, not just your benefit.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for the many reminders You give me in Your Word. You repeat things to me over and over and over again, and I am thankful that You do. Even though it sometimes takes me a while, I do eventually get the message and Your messages become the foundation for my life and living. Thank You for being patient with me. I now fully understand that I will reap whatever I sow. Therefore, I refuse to sow bad seed. I sow seeds – with my words and actions – that line up with Your Word and because I sow good seed I can expect a good harvest. And finally, I thank You for the power and authority You have blessed me to operate in. I will never abuse it. I treat all people with dignity and respect, I seek to use the power You have given me for Your glory, and I walk in love daily. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
