June 1, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill\u00a0wisdom\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>in God\u2019s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is\u00a0generally<\/em> true in principle, not a\u00a0universally\u00a0<\/em>true promise. Let\u2019s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In chapter 15 we see a variety of topics addressed by the author. One of the things the author points to is seen in verse 9: \u201cThe way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.\u201d The reason for this is seen clearly in verse 11, which states \u201cSheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We see from these verses that God is interested more in the worship of our hearts than in our religious actions. As we know from the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 29:13) it is possible for us to do all of the right things outwardly while our hearts are actually far from the LORD! <\/p>\n\n\n\n To put it in today\u2019s context, it is possible for us to be super involved at church, read our Bibles every day, and pray consistently and still have hearts that are far from God! God does not only want our obedience in actions; obeying Him in our behaviors is absolutely essential, but if we are not obeying Him and drawing near to Him from the heart then all our religious behavior is less than worthless! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If we worship God in hypocrisy, either by our lives not lining up with His Word or by our hearts being far from Him, our worship is in vain. We must learn to obey Him both in our actions and from our hearts<\/p>\n\n\n\n