September 30, 2016

Proverbs 19:3 NLT  "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord."

This verse goes along with Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."  You can't live a reckless life and think you won't suffer the consequences.  Just like reckless driving, someone is either going to get hurt or something is going to get destroyed.  An old saying I heard years ago said, "If you sow wild oats when you're young, don't blame God for the harvest!"  That's what our Daily Verse is saying.

So much anger at God is misdirected.  We shouldn't be angry at God for allowing us to face the consequences of our sins.  Romans 5:12 reminds us that "sin brings death" and that should make us realize that sin also brings destruction.  God didn't make us sin!  And we can't blame Him if He didn't stop us!  His Word is there for us to read, and obey (James 1:22).  If we just "read only" and never "do" what the Bible says, we can't blame God for the results!

Now, let me show you the "other" side to this.  If it is true that "what you sow, you reap" then think of what Paul said in Galatians 6:8b, "...but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."  The "sowing-reaping" model is true with whatever you "sow."  A Christian, living for the Lord, is planting seeds of good deeds, encouraging words, a pleasant attitude.  That Christian can expect a harvest of souls saved, Christians encouraged, and God's word spreading to the lost, and in all this God gets the glory and the Christian enjoys watching that happen.

As  you start each day think this:  "Start your day with prayer, praise, and pondering God's Word and you'll end your day with joy, gladness, and no regrets!"