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- Spanish Translation
The Wisdom of Revival
Proverbs 18-20
October 12-13, 2024
We are in the section of the Proverbs where Solomon gives treasures of wisdom one after the other, but one treasure of wisdom is not necessarily connected to the next. He changes the topics of wisdom quickly, verse after verse.
Yet, at the same time, there are beautiful themes that are woven into the fabric of the Proverbs. These themes touch on the whole of life and are great truths meant to be applied and lived. The foundation of all the wisdom of the Proverbs is that honoring and revering God is the beginning of all godly wisdom.
As I mentioned last week, at the Wednesday service we are studying through the Proverbs verse by verse, chapter by chapter, but at the weekend services, we are looking at these great themes that are woven through the fabric of these chapters.
Last week the great theme we saw woven through the chapters was the significance of the work of God in the inner man and how that then becomes the well from which you speak and live — because — the mouth speaks, and the life is lived out of the good treasure that fills the heart.
Proverbs 10:31, “The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom…” Proverbs 16:23, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth…” He spoke of the power of pleasant words that are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. He spoke of the wisdom of ruling one’s own spirit. Proverbs 16:32, ““He who is slow to anger is greater than the mighty; he who rules his own spirit is greater than he who captures a city.”
Here, in these chapters, he builds on that theme — it’s about the work of God in the inner man; the integrity of the heart by which a man then lives his life. The revival of the soul, that causes a man of faith to completely rely on the help of God in times of trouble.
It’s about taking faith and putting it into the real world of life.
I. The Righteous Run to the Tower of the Lord
- 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”
- This is a great theme woven through the fabric of the whole Bible, not just the Proverbs.
- This is one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. I quote it often. It’s one of the great truths you must remember. Write it on the tablet of your heart so that when you need it, this great truth will come back to you and remind you of what you must do in times of trouble – you must run to the tower of the Lord.
- “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.” In times of war, or the threat of war, Israel built towers in various places throughout the land. A garrison of soldiers would be stationed there at the tower. If an enemy invaded, the people could run to the tower and come under the safety of the soldiers stationed there.
- It became a picture of those facing troubles.
- It was the name of the Lord that was the strong tower. They could run to the name of the Lord for help. The name of the great Almighty is a refuge and strength and a very present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.
Illus – Many years ago when the church was very young, maybe only 4-5 years old, we went through a difficult time; we encountered severe turbulence. We knew that it was spiritual warfare. When we encountered this great trouble, this scripture came to my mind.
We were meeting in the gymnasium at that time. At the service that Sunday morning I asked everyone to come into the sanctuary; everyone – all the children, even the infants in the nursery. We just spent time waiting on the Lord, worshiping, praying, and taking communion. We ran to the tower of the Lord. The result was beautiful revival.
Illus – Later in history of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king over Judah, Israel in the south, it was reported that a great army from across the Jordan had assembled to make war against them. They were even approaching Ein Gedi on this side of the Dead Sea.
Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and assembled Israel to seek help from the Lord. Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly in Jerusalem and prayed…
2 Chronicles 20:6, 12-13, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? Power and might are in your hand so that no man can stand against You… We are powerless before this great multitude; we do not know what to do… Our eyes are on You.” All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.
2 Chronicles 20:14, Then in the midst of the assembly, the
Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel… and he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them… You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.”
When Jehoshaphat went out to meet the enemy, he appointed those who sing to the Lord and those who praise Him in holy attire, to go out before the army. When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy so that they began to fight against one another and they were routed.
A. Revival is the key to going through a storm
- Notice that it is the righteous who run to the name of the Lord.
- Who are the righteous he speaks of? Are they perfect? No, not one. But they do delight in what God is doing in their soul. They delight in the Almighty.
- These are the ones who know that they can come under the shadow of the Almighty and seek refuge.
Illus – Later in the history of Israel, when Hezekiah was king over Judah, the Assyrians were determined to bring a great and vast army against Jerusalem.
Hezekiah prepared the people. First, he cut off the water supply outside the city, diverting the water to the pool of Siloam. Then he built another outside wall and made weapons and shields in great number. He then gathered all the people in the square at the city gate to strengthen their faith…
2 Chronicles 32:7-8, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one who is with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah.
- Faith is strengthened in revival. The righteous run to the tower of the Lord and are saved.
Psalm 91:1-2, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”
B. God builds integrity in the soul of the righteous
- 20:7, “A righteous man who walks in his integrity – how blessed are his sons after him.”
- 19:1, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who perverts his speech and is a fool.”
- Proverbs 2:7, “God stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.”
- Notice that God is a shield for those who walk in their integrity. Integrity is a construct, built by God in those who delight in what He is doing in their lives, those who delight in the Almighty.
- When you have the inner construct of integrity, that which no one sees, only God, He becomes your shield, your hedge of protection.
- That integrity will be seen in your character and the way you live your life…
- 19:22, “What is desirable in a man is his kindness…
- Where does kindness come from? It comes from the beautiful work that God is doing in the soul. The good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth what is good.
- 20:3, “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.”
Illus – Several years ago a pastor friend asked if he could bring a group of leaders from his church to tour our building. At one point in the tour, one of the men said, “I see you have a sign asking people not to bring coffee into the sanctuary. How do you enforce that?” I responded, “We don’t…”
He then asked, with a bit of disdain in his voice, “Why in the world would you have a rule and not enforce it?” “Because,” I answered, “some people are confrontational by nature. And they are the ones who need the gospel the most.”
2 Timothy 2:24-25, The Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,
Proverbs 26:21, Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
II. A Plan in the Heart is Deep Water
- Proverbs 20:5, “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.”
- The plans of the heart are the thoughts and intentions of a person. Everyone has a plan in one way or another. But a man of understanding, a man of insight has deep wisdom that draws it out.
- In other words, he knows how to search his own soul and draws his plans out before the Lord.
A. Commit your works to the Lord
- 16:1-3, “The plans on the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
- These verses are great reminders that God is the One that ordains our steps. You can make plans, and you should. “A plan in the heart is like deep water.” But the righteous know that it is God’s hand that establishes any plan.
- A man’s ways are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Motives matter. Why you do what you do matters.
- Whatever I have I want God to give it to me. I want His hand to move. I want to submit every plan to the Lord.
James 4:15, Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
B. The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord
- Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord; searching all the innermost parts of his being.”
- The lamp of the Lord is the delight of the glory of God dwelling in the innermost parts of the soul.
- The great theme of these verses is the wisdom of revival. The lamp of the Lord is the light of the glory of God in the inner man – that is the very definition of revival.
- Revival is wisdom itself. The wisest thing you can ever do is to be certain that your soul is right with God. And then when your soul is right with God, you dwell there in the shadow of the Almighty. You stay in the nearness of God.
Psalm 73:28, But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.
- When you calculate the plan for your life, be certain of this, that the greatest plan you could ever plan is for your soul to find revival.
- Revival in the wisest course because it predicts the greatest outcome.
Illus – My Way by Frank Sinatra, “I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway; and more, much more than this, I did it my way… And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain, my friend I’ll say it clear… I did it my way.”
Psalm 73:25, And besides You, I desire nothing on this earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and God is my portion forever.
- What is the final outcome of those who insist that they “do it their way’? They face the final curtain without hope and without God.
- But it’s not just about the final curtain, when you stand before God at the end of the age. It’s about life right now. Those who plan each charted course without God live without revival.
- Revival is life to the full right now. I would rather live life God’s way. I would rather have my soul right with God. It’s the greatest blessing now and the greatest life eternal.
Proverbs 18-20 NASB
18 1He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes scorn.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
9 He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.
13 He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men.
17 The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.
18 The cast lot puts an end to strife
And decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly.
24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
On Life and Conduct
19 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries his footsteps errs.
3 The foolishness of man ruins his way,
And his heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth adds many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will not escape.
6 Many will seek the favor of a generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And an idle man will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of conduct will die.
17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord,
And He will repay him for his good deed.
18 Discipline your son while there is hope,
And do not desire his death.
19 A man of great anger will bear the penalty,
For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away
Is a shameful and disgraceful son.
27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice,
And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And blows for the back of fools.
On Life and Conduct
20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
4 The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity—
How blessed are his sons after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the Lord.
11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself
If his conduct is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
16 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.
17 Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Prepare plans by consultation,
And make war by wise guidance.
19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
20 He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.
21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And a false scale is not good.
24 Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?
25 It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”
And after the vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked,
And drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
28 Loyalty and truth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Stripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.
La sabiduría del avivamiento
Proverbios 18-20
12 y 13 de octubre de 2024
Estamos en la sección de los Proverbios donde Salomón muestra los tesoros de la sabiduría, uno tesoro tras otro, pero un tesoro de sabiduría no está necesariamente conectado con el siguiente. Salomón cambia los temas de sabiduría rápidamente, versículo tras versículo.
Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, hay hermosos temas que se entretejen en el tejido del libro de Proverbios. Estos temas muestran la totalidad de la vida y son grandes verdades destinadas a ser aplicadas y vividas. El fundamento de toda la sabiduría de los Proverbios es que honrar y reverenciar a Dios es el principio de toda sabiduría piadosa.
Como mencioné la semana pasada, en el servicio de los miércoles estamos estudiando los Proverbios versículo por versículo, capítulo por capítulo, pero en los servicios de fin de semana estamos viendo estos grandes temas que se entretejen a través de la trama de estos capítulos.
La semana pasada, el gran tema que vimos entretejido a través de los capítulos fue la importancia de la obra de Dios en el hombre interior y cómo eso se convierte en el pozo desde el cual hablas y vives, porque — la boca habla, y la vida se vive del buen tesoro que llena el corazón.
Proverbios 10:31, “La boca de los justos rebosa de sabiduría…” Proverbios 16:23, “El corazón del sabio enseña su boca…” Habló del poder de las palabras agradables que son dulces para el alma y sanadoras para los huesos. Habló de la sabiduría de gobernar el propio espíritu. Proverbios 16:32, “Mejor es el lento para la ira que el poderoso,
y el que domina su espíritu que el que toma una ciudad”.
Aquí, en estos capítulos, él desarrolla sobre ese tema: se trata de la obra de Dios en el hombre interior; la integridad del corazón por medio de la cual un hombre vive su vida. El avivamiento del alma, que hace que un hombre de fe confíe completamente en la ayuda de Dios en tiempos de dificultad.
Se trata de tomar la fe y ponerla en el mundo real de la vida.
- I. Los justos corren a la torre del Señor
- Proverbios 18:10, “El nombre del Señor es una torre fuerte; el justo corre hacia ella y está a salvo”.
- Este es un gran tema tejido a través de toda la Biblia, no solo de los Proverbios.
- Este es uno de mis versículos favoritos de toda la Biblia. Lo cito a menudo. Es una de las grandes verdades que debes recordar. Escríbelo en la tabla de tu corazón para que cuando lo necesites, esta gran verdad regrese a ti y te recuerde lo que debes hacer en tiempos de dificultad: debes correr a la torre del Señor.
- “El nombre del Señor es una torre fuerte“. En tiempos de guerra, o de amenaza de guerra, Israel construyó torres en varios lugares del país. Una tropa de soldados estaría estacionada allí en la torre. Si un enemigo invadía, la gente podía correr a la torre y ponerse a salvo de los soldados estacionados allí.
- Se convirtió en una imagen de aquellos que enfrentaban problemas.
- Era el nombre del Señor que era la torre fuerte. Podían acudir al nombre del Señor en busca de ayuda. El nombre del gran Todopoderoso es un refugio, una fuerza y una ayuda muy presente en tiempos de angustia.
Salmo 46:1, “Dios es nuestro refugio y fortaleza,
nuestro pronto auxilio en las tribulaciones. Por tanto, no temeremos, aunque la tierra cambie, y aunque los montes se hundan en el corazón del mar”.
Salmos 46:1-2 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas
1 Dios es nuestro refugio y fortaleza, nuestro pronto auxilio en las tribulaciones. 2 Por tanto, no temeremos aunque la tierra sufra cambios, y aunque los montes se deslicen al fondo de los mares;
ILUSTRACIÓN: Hace muchos años, cuando la iglesia era muy joven, tal vez solo tenía de 4-5 años, pasamos por un momento difícil; Nos encontramos con fuertes turbulencias. Sabíamos que era una guerra espiritual. Cuando nos encontramos con este gran problema, me vino a la mente este pasaje de las Escrituras.
Nos reuníamos en el gimnasio en ese momento. En el servicio de ese domingo por la mañana, les pedí a todos que entraran al santuario; todos, todos los niños, incluso los bebés de la guardería. Simplemente pasamos tiempo esperando en el Señor, adorando, orando y tomando la comunión. Corrimos a la torre del Señor. El resultado fue un hermoso avivamiento.
ILUSTRACIÓN: Más tarde en la historia de Israel, cuando Josafat era rey de Judá, Israel en el sur, se informó que un gran ejército del otro lado del Jordán se había reunido para hacer la guerra contra ellos. Incluso se acercaban a ‘Ein Gedi’ a este lado del Mar Muerto.
Josafat proclamó un ayuno y reunió a Israel para buscar la ayuda del Señor. Entonces Josafat se puso de pie en la asamblea de Jerusalén y oró…
2 Crónicas 20:6, “y dijo: Oh Señor, Dios de nuestros padres, ¿no eres tú Dios en los cielos? ¿Y no gobiernas tú sobre todos los reinos de las naciones? En tu mano hay poder y fortaleza y no hay quien pueda resistirte.
2 Crónicas 12-13: Oh Dios nuestro, ¿no los juzgarás? Porque no tenemos fuerza alguna delante de esta gran multitud que viene contra nosotros, y no sabemos qué hacer; pero nuestros ojos están vueltos hacia ti. 13 Y todo Judá estaba de pie delante del Señor, con sus niños, sus mujeres y sus hijos.
2 Crónicas 20:14-19: 14 Entonces el Espíritu del Señor vino en medio de la asamblea sobre Jahaziel, hijo de Zacarías, hijo de Benaía, hijo de Jeiel, hijo de Matanías, levita de los hijos de Asaf, 15 y dijo Jahaziel: «Presten atención, todo Judá, habitantes de Jerusalén y tú, rey Josafat: así les dice el Señor: “No teman, ni se acobarden delante de esta gran multitud, porque la batalla no es de ustedes, sino de Dios. 16 Desciendan mañana contra ellos; pues ellos subirán por la cuesta de Sis, y los hallarán en el extremo del valle, frente al desierto de Jeruel. 17 No necesitan pelear en esta batalla; tomen sus puestos y estén quietos, y vean la salvación del Señor con ustedes, oh Judá y Jerusalén”. No teman ni se acobarden; salgan mañana al encuentro de ellos porque el Señor está con ustedes».
Cuando Josafat salió al encuentro del enemigo, designó a los que cantan al Señor y a los que le alaban con vestiduras sagradas, que salieran delante del ejército. Cuando comenzaron a cantar y alabar, el Señor tendió emboscadas contra el enemigo para que comenzaran a pelear unos contra otros y fueron derrotados.
- El avivamiento es la clave para atravesar una tormenta
- Nótese que son los justos los que corren al nombre del Señor.
- ¿Quiénes son los justos de los que habla? ¿Son perfectos? No, ni uno. Pero sí se deleitan en lo que Dios está haciendo en su alma. Se deleitan en el Todopoderoso.
- Estos son los que saben que pueden venir bajo la sombra del Todopoderoso y buscar refugio.
Más tarde en la historia de Israel, cuando Ezequías era rey de Judá, los asirios estaban decididos a traer un ejército grande y vasto contra Jerusalén.
Ezequías preparó al pueblo. Primero, cortó el suministro de agua fuera de la ciudad, desviando el agua al estanque de Siloé. Luego construyó otra muralla exterior e hizo armas y escudos en gran número. Luego reunió a todo el pueblo en la plaza a la puerta de la ciudad para fortalecer su fe…
2 Crónicas 32:7-8 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas
7 “Sean fuertes y valientes; no teman ni se acobarden a causa del rey de Asiria, ni a causa de toda la multitud que está con él, porque el que está con nosotros es más poderoso que el que está con él. 8 Con él está solo un brazo de carne, pero con nosotros está el Señor nuestro Dios para ayudarnos y pelear nuestras batallas. Y el pueblo confió en las palabras de Ezequías, rey de Judá”.
- La fe se fortalece en el avivamiento. Los justos corren a la torre del Señor y son salvos.
Salmo 91:1-2, “El que habita al abrigo del Altísimo morará a la sombra del Omnipotente. Diré al Señor: “Mi refugio y mi fortaleza, mi Dios, en quien confío”.
- Dios edifica integridad en el alma de los justos
- Proverbios 20:7, “El justo que anda en su integridad, ¡cuán bienaventurados serán sus hijos después de él!”
- Proverbios 19:1, “Mejor es el pobre que anda en su integridad, que el de labios perversos y necio.
- Proverbios 2:7, “Él reserva la prosperidad para los rectos, Él es escudo para los que andan en integridad,
- Note que Dios es un escudo para aquellos que caminan en su integridad. La integridad es una construcción, hecha por Dios en aquellos que se deleitan en lo que Él está haciendo en sus vidas, aquellos que se deleitan en el Todopoderoso.
- Cuando tienes la construcción interna de la integridad, es lo que nadie ve, solo Dios, Él se convierte en tu escudo, tu cerco de protección.
- Esa integridad se verá en tu carácter y en la forma en que vives tu vida…
- Proverbios 19:22, “Lo que es deseable en el hombre es su bondad…
- ¿De dónde viene la bondad? Viene de la hermosa obra que Dios está haciendo en el alma. El hombre bueno, del buen tesoro de su corazón, saca lo que es bueno.
- Proverbios 20:3, “Es honra para el hombre evitar las contiendas, pero cualquier necio se enredará en ellas.
ILLUS: Hace varios años, un amigo pastor preguntó si podía traer a un grupo de líderes de su iglesia para recorrer nuestro edificio. En un momento del recorrido, uno de los hombres dijo: “Veo que tienen un cartel que pide a la gente que no traiga café al santuario. ¿Cómo se hace cumplir eso?” Le respondí: “No lo hacemos…”
Luego preguntó, con un poco de desdén en su voz: “¿Por qué razón tendrías una regla y no la harías cumplir?” “Porque”, respondí, “algunas personas son conflictivas por naturaleza. Y ellos son los que más necesitan el evangelio”.
2 Timoteo 2:24-25, “Y el siervo del Señor no debe ser rencilloso, sino amable para con todos, apto para enseñar, sufrido, 25 corrigiendo tiernamente a los que se oponen, por si acaso Dios les da el arrepentimiento que conduce al pleno conocimiento de la verdad”.
Proverbios 26:21, “Como el carbón a las brasas, y la leña al fuego, así es el hombre rencilloso para encender contiendas”.
- Un plan en el corazón es aguas profundas
- Proverbios 20:5, “Como aguas profundas es el consejo en el corazón del hombre, y el hombre de entendimiento lo sacará.
- Los planes del corazón son los pensamientos e intenciones de una persona. Todo el mundo tiene un plan de una forma u otra. Pero un hombre de entendimiento, un hombre con intuición tiene una profunda sabiduría que la saca a la luz.
- En otras palabras, sabe escudriñar su propia alma y traza sus planes ante el Señor.
- Encomienda tus obras al Señor
- Proverbios 16:1-3, “Del hombre son los propósitos del corazón, mas del Señor es la respuesta de la lengua. 2 Todos los caminos del hombre son limpios ante sus propios ojos, pero el Señor sondea los espíritus.3 Encomienda tus obras al Señor, y tus propósitos se afianzarán.
- Estos versículos son grandes recordatorios de que Dios es el que ordena nuestros pasos. Puedes hacer planes, y deberías hacerlo. “Un plan en el corazón es como aguas profundas”. Pero los justos saben que es la mano de Dios la que establece cualquier plan.
- Los caminos del hombre son limpios a sus propios ojos, pero el Señor considera los motivos. Los motivos importan. La razón por la que haces lo que haces importa.
- Lo que sea que tengo, quiero que Dios me lo dé. Quiero que Su mano se mueva. Quiero someter cada plan al Señor.
Santiago 4:13-15 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas
13 “Oigan ahora, ustedes que dicen: Hoy o mañana iremos a tal o cual ciudad y pasaremos allá un año, haremos negocio y tendremos ganancia. 14 Sin embargo, ustedes no saben cómo será su vida mañana. Solo son un vapor que aparece por un poco de tiempo y luego se desvanece. 15 Más bien, debieran decir: Si el Señor quiere, viviremos y haremos esto o aquello”.
- La lámpara del Señor es el espíritu del hombre
- Proverbios 20:27 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas
“Lámpara del Señor es el espíritu del hombre que escudriña lo más profundo de su ser”.
- La lámpara del Señor es el deleite de la gloria de Dios que habita en lo más íntimo del alma.
- El gran tema de estos versículos es la sabiduría del avivamiento. La lámpara del Señor es la luz de la gloria de Dios en el hombre interior, esa es la definición misma de avivamiento.
- El avivamiento es la sabiduría misma. Lo más sabio que puedes hacer es estar seguro de que tu alma está bien con Dios. Y luego, cuando tu alma está bien con Dios, moras allí a la sombra del Todopoderoso. Permaneces en la cercanía de Dios.
Salmo 73:28, “Más para mí, estar cerca de Dios es mi bien;
- Cuando calcules el plan para tu vida, ten la certeza de que el plan más grande que podrías planear es que tu alma encuentre un avivamiento.
- Avivamiento en el curso más sabio porque predice el mayor resultado.
Ilustración – Canción “My Way” de Frank Sinatra: “Planifiqué cada curso trazado, cada paso cuidadoso a lo largo del camino; y más, mucho más que esto, lo hice a mi manera… Y ahora el final está cerca, y por eso me enfrento al telón final, amigo mío lo diré claro… Lo hice a mi manera”.
Salmo 73:25, “¿A quién tengo yo en los cielos, sino a ti?
Y fuera de ti, nada deseo en la tierra. Mi carne y mi corazón pueden fallar, pero Dios es la fuerza de mi corazón y Dios es mi porción para siempre”.
- ¿Cuál es el resultado final de aquellos que insisten en que “hagan las cosas a su manera”? Se enfrentan al telón final sin esperanza y sin Dios.
- Pero no se trata solo de la cortina final, cuando te presentas ante Dios al final de los tiempos. Se trata de la vida en este momento. Aquellos que planean cada curso trazado sin Dios viven sin avivamiento.
- El avivamiento es la vida al máximo en este momento. Preferiría vivir la vida a la manera de Dios. Preferiría tener mi alma bien con Dios. Es la bendición más grande ahora y la vida eterna más grande.
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