January 20, 2021

Failing

Proverbs 24:15-20

Introduction

The verses we have for tonight, could not be more appropriate or timely. I could not have planned, or picked a more timely passage. I don’t say that lightly or other than simply a statement of fact. God orchestrates things according to His will… and sometimes He very well changes our will to match His plan.

I. Falling or Failing (Pro 24:15-18)

A. Falling of the righteous (15-16)

i. “Lay not in wait” (15)

  • Written for the wicked

  • Prov. 1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

    • Those who seek to do harm, or take advantage of righteous people.
    • Hunting…
    • Jer. 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

  • Christian be forewarned

    • 1Pet. 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
    • Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

ii. “just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (16)

  • This verse is often used as if falling into sin, but in context, we see, he falls into a snare, a trap.

  • He is hunted… God may allow him be to be caught!

    • Job, David it would seem as though he was hunted, and even caught several times.
    • God is in control

B. Falling of the enemy (17-18)

i. “rejoice not” (17)

ii. Why? 1. LORD see it 2. It displeaseth him 3. He turn away his wrath from him (enemy). (18)

II. Fretting (Pro 24:19-20)

A. Evil (19)

i. Evil:

Gen. 2:16 ¶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

  • The knowledge of good and evil happened the day that man chose to sin against God, and break His commandment.

    • ii. Abortion is a sin against God

    • iii. LGQTB is against a sin against God

iv. Fret not!

  • This world is not my home, I’m Just a passing thru
  • My treasure is laid up, somewhere beyond the blue
  • 1Pet. 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
  • Your worrying isn’t going to change a thing…
  • Praying, that changes things!

B. Envy (19)

i. Don’t be envious of wickedness!

C. End (20)

i. “no reward”

  • Many wicked, evil, vile people will stand before God one day, and give an account for their actions!
  • Rev 20:11-15

ii. “the candle fo the wicked shall be put out”

Prov. 13:9 ¶ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

III. Fear (Pro 24:21-22)

A. The Lord (21)

Prov. 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

i. “My son”

  • Once again, this is for the saved… someone who is related to the Author!

B. The Leader (21)

i. Notice the order… God first!

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

ii. Wicked leaders do not mean the end of the society.

      • iii. Daniel served under some godless, arrogant, wicked leaders

      • Joseph served under a pagan, worldly ruler

      • Paul was under many wicked rulers!

      • Sometimes a wicked ruler is judgement on a nation for their wrong doing.

C. Change (21)

i. It doesn’t say to never change… however there is a caution issued to those who are given to change…

  • There is a difference between refreshing, cleaning, and changing.

    • We change our clothes every day…

ii. “given to change” – that would be people who are looking to make sweeping changes…

D. Calamity (22)

  • Calamity – great misfortune, cause of misery