6-21-12. Prov 29. WHERE THERE IS NO VISION

Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF Thursday, June 21, 2012

Proverbs 29:1-27
Key Verse: 29:18

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”

Lord, thank you for bringing me through each day and helping me to live for your glory. I pray that your word may grow and bear fruit in my heart and in my family and ministry. May the point of all be do bring glory to you and to worship you. Help us to also love our neighbors as ourselves. Please Lord, grant us wisdom on our upcoming conference. What should we do? Guide us in the decision making. Grant your word deep in my heart. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part l: When a Leader Rules With Justice (1-17).

These verses once again tell us about the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Verses 1-2 and 5-13 read, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed —without remedy. 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan….5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. 6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. 7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. 8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace .10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. 11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.” The wicked remain stiff necked after many rebukes. They don’t budge. They remain in their fruitless ways that will lead to destruction. They bring sorrow and remorse to others. They try to bring bad things upon others. It is because they have no concern for others and are trying to gain some benefit for themselves. They rage and scoff and take away the peace in the land. They are full of rage, especially against the righteous. The wicked and the righteous have something in common. They are both created by God and they both are blessed by God. That means that we must see the wicked as our prodigal siblings who need to return to their Father in heaven. We must pray like Jesus on the cross, “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.”

How great it is to have a godly ruler. Verses 4,12 & 14 read, “4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. … If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. …14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.” If a leader rules his people with God’s justice (1-14) and fair discipline (15-17), his people will be happy and the nation will be prosperous. If a ruler listens to lies, receives bribes, oppresses the poor, kills the upright, then the wicked will thrive, along with sin.

We need godly rulers in all spheres of life. We need them at the head of government, in the home, at work and in the family. Supervisors and leaders in the hospital make all the difference in the world. A beautiful atmosphere is created on the unit. I need to be a godly leader in my family and among my fellowship. Then people will thrive under my leadership as I follow Jesus Christ. I pray that God’s choice of leaders may be raised up during this year’s elections.

In order to be blessed we need discipline. Verses 3, 15-16 read, “A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. 16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.” The purpose of discipline is to help people walk in the way of righteousness and justice. We should discipline our children with the rod of correction. This does not mean beating them with stick. This is in reference to ancient practice of using rods to train pianists, gymnasts etc. It means to have wise, focused and intelligent discipline for a purpose. I have benefitted from discipline, both from my parents and my spiritual mentors. I hope to be disciplined further in the ways of the Lord. I also pray for wisdom and compassion to discipline others in the ways of the Lord.

Part ll: Where There Is No Revelation (18-27).

Verses 18-27 read, ““Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” The KJV version of verse 18 reads as “Where there is no vision, the people perish …” Visions come from God’s revelation. God revealed himself and his world purpose in his word. It is in his word that we find vision for ourselves and for our nation (Ex 19:6). If there is no national direction, people cast off restraint. They will perish (Hosea 4:6).

What is our vision as a nation? I think it is to promote and spread democracy and a free market economy. It used to be to spread the gospel. I pray that we can get that vision once again, and then we will have something to live for as a people. As a family I have a vision that all of my kids may know and love Jesus and that they may be shepherds of God’s flock. I hope they can participate in the same mission as I am so that we can closely co-work together in the mission of preaching the Gospel. What is my vision for NIU UBF. I hope to establish a 1:1 Bible study, discipleship ministry among the students of NIU. Some may say that if I have this vision then I should maintain my Sunday worship service and go fishing on campus and keep doing what I am was doing. But I feel that things need to change. I pray that I may hold onto the vision and that God may lead me in the way that I should go.

We must not have the attitude of a hired hand. Verses 19-21 read, ““19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond. 20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. 21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.” We need to have the attitude of an owner, one who has a sense of responsibility and commitment and stewardship. I must have this attitude towards the family and the ministry.

Verses 22-27 reveal once more that it is a lot better to be counted among the righteous than the wicked. “22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. 23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. 24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify. 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. 26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice. 27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.” Lord, without you I would be angry and in conflict with many other people. I would be an accomplice to thieves. I would fear other people. But Lord, you came into my life and saved me by your grace thank you, Jesus. Help me to follow you with an upright heart.

Prayer: Lord, bless our nation to be a nation with godly vision. .

One Word: Have God’s vision