Read Proverbs 27
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions; Agur's confession of his faith; the words of King Lemuel; praise of a virtuous woman.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law, happy is he (Prov. 29:18).
Without obedience to God's Word there is no vision. The Lord arranged these two thoughts together because they are vital to each other.
No vision does not refer to physical eyesight, nor does it refer to our dreams, goals, objectives, plans, or projects. When Samuel was a child the Bible says the Word of the Lord was precious . . . there was no open vision (I Sam. 3:1). Vision is the revelation of the Truth of God's Word by the Holy Spirit. It results in inner peace — happy is he.
Samuel was called the seer — the man with a vision for fulfilling God's will. God chose him to be a prophet because he had an intense desire to do God's will. This can be observed in his response to God: Speak; for Thy servant heareth (3:10). In contrast, the sons of Eli the priest disregarded God's Word and were, therefore, rejected as His servants. It is impossible to be a true servant of God if we will not obey His Word.
After hearing the parable of the seed and the sower, many who heard thought it was too difficult to understand. But Jesus said the difficulty was not in the parable, but in the hearts of the hearers which are waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed (Matt. 13:15).
Paul prayed that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened to know the treasures of God's riches (Eph. 1:18). The treasures of the Lord are found in the Scriptures. As we continue to read all of God's Word, the eyes of our understanding will be opened and our spiritual vision will come into clear focus. It is then and only then that we will see where the true King of our lives, Jesus, wants us to go. Until this time, our vision has not been clear. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (I Cor. 13:12). However, now we can find the golden nuggets of God's Word and apply them to our lives. We can truly become men and women of vision that God desires for us to be.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious (I Pet. 2:2-3).
Thought for Today:
As you read God's Word each day, pray for understanding.
As the One who descended from and ascended to heaven (Prov. 30:4). Jesus came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is (now) in heaven (John 3:13).
27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, Restraining a contentious woman is like attempting to hold the wind; 28:11 searcheth him out, sees through him; 28:14 that feareth alway, who is always reverent; 28:17 stay, help; 29:10 seek his soul, has concern for his well-being; 30:23 odious, hateful.
Pray for Staff: Kevin Jennings • Government Officials: Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr. (MO) and Rep. Glenn Thompson, Jr. (PA) • Country: Nauru (11,000) in the central Pacific • Major languages: Nauruan and English • Religious freedom • 57% Protestant; 24% Roman Catholic; 10% Buddhist and Chinese folk-religionist • Prayer Suggestion: Revere and worship the Lord with godly fear and you will have no want (Ps. 34:9).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:9