October 28, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 28
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21. To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Today's Pathway:
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"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." - Proverbs 28:9

Prayer is a wonderful thing. God has graciously allowed His children to bring their petitions and needs before Him and He has promised to hear and answer. In fact, in Psalm 65:2 He is referred to as "O thou that hearest prayer." He has even commanded us that we should pray (Luke 18:1). Thus, prayer is important to God and it should be important to us.

However, simply going to the Lord in prayer does not solve all our sin problems. If we offer up a prayer of true repentance and confession, then certainly the Lord will hear us and be faithful and just to forgive us (I John 1:9). However, if we choose to ignore the Word of God and walk in a way that is contrary to His teachings, then He says that our prayers are an abomination before Him.

In an earlier passage we saw that the sacrifices of wicked men are abomination (Prov. 21:27). We understand that a man's good works and rituals can never atone for the sins that he has committed. However, here we see that even something as intimate and important as prayer is abominable when it comes from the lips of a rebellious man. Think about it for a moment. Here we have an individual who has turned his back upon God and His Word. All of a sudden he has a need and now wants God to help him out and assumes that God will do so simply because he prays. How foolish, and how wretched to reject God and only run to Him when trouble comes.

If your life isn't right with God, and you have turned your back on His Word, then the only prayer you should offer to God is one of confession and repentance. Because "your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2), your prayers are an abomination until you restore your proper relationship with the Lord.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery