If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.1
Benefitting from God’s wisdom is conditional. If you are willing to receive instruction from the LORD, then he will oblige. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.2 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.3
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.4 A drowning person cannot save himself; he has to be rescued. Our pride gets on the way and we deny ourselves the help that we need. The Law was enacted to bring us to the realization that our efforts are indeed futile. Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, . . . For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.5
O, what grace! But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.6 From ancient of days, God had hatched his rescue. When the burden was too great for his people, God assigned Moses to rescue them; and he nurtured them.7 Sadly, their extended years of hardship made them settle for less; grumbling had become habitual. Yet God appointed 70 more. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.8
God knows our bent. Left to ourselves, we are lured easily in the wrong direction. Thus, the need for the New Covenant. For this is the covenant that I will make . . . I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.9 . . . until the day when [Jesus] was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive . . . he ordered them . . . wait for the promise of the Father . . . you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit . . .10 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses . . .11
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity . . .12 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the results of works, so that no one may boast.13 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. . . . Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.14
Definitely, there will be evident changes as we live out our new found nature. We will manifest spiritual gifts for strengthening, encouragement, and comfort to the church.15 We will put-off the old and put-on the new.16 There will be new desires and priorities—our appetite for God’s Word, worship, and fellowship are but a few. Our works will be a manifestation of our salvation (not the means to salvation).
So you will walk in the way of good and keep the paths of the righteous.17 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.18
Notes:
1. Proverbs 1:23
2. Psalm 32:8
3. Proverbs 2:5-8
4. Psalm 32:10
5. Galatians 3:19-22
6. Micah 5:2
7. Exodus 2:23-3:22
8. Numbers 11:16-17
9. Hebrews 8:10
10. Acts 1:1-5
11. Acts 1:8
12. Psalm 32:1-2
13. Ephesians 2:8-9
14. 2 Corinthains 5:16-17
15. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3
16. Ephesians 4:20-24
17. Proverbs 2:20
18. Psalm 32:11
