October 12
“How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding
is to be chosen rather than silver.”
Proverbs 16:16
Many believe their security is in the provisions they’ve made. They see danger coming but they feel safe because they have much silver and gold.
But…
“Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
in the day of the Lord’s wrath;”
Zephaniah 1:18
The issue is defiance.
The wicked see danger coming, so they prepare by putting away money and stocking up – thinking that they will have enough to ride through the coming judgment. They don’t realize that when the wrath of God is unleashed against a person or a nation -there is no escape for the wicked.
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety,’
then sudden destruction comes upon them,
as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.
AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE.”
1 Thessalonians 5:3
Who does man think he is, that he can resist the wrath of God?
“Pride goes before DESTRUCTION,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18
The believer sees the judgment coming and his response is to pray for wisdom and ask for guidance. The Lord will guide him and show him what he must do. In fact, the Lord may direct him to store up provisions against that day as Joseph did before the seven years of famine; but it’s not done in self-reliance, it’s done in obedience. The wrath of God will not destroy him. Indeed, should persecution come and he be killed – he is instantly in the presence of God in heaven.
Not so for the unbeliever.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:31
Commit yourself to the Lord and know that he will keep his own no matter what. Not so, if you rely on yourself.
