2025.05.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 5:1–5

Read Deuteronomy 5:1–5

Questions from the Scripture text: How does Moses transition into the main sermon (Deuteronomy 5:1)? What does he tell them to do? What are they to hear? What is he doing with them? In whose hearing? What three things are they to do? Who did what, where (Deuteronomy 5:2)? With whom is that covenant now in effect (Deuteronomy 5:3)? Who talked (Deuteronomy 5:4)? With whom? How? Where? From where? After that, who stood where (Deuteronomy 5:5)? To do what? Why this arrangement? Where did Moses go to do this? 

How are we to receive God’s law? Deuteronomy 5:1–5 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to receive the law from our covenant God, through our covenant Mediator.  

Four things to do with God’s law. First, hear. Just as the first commandment calls their attention to the fact that they are always before God’s face, He reminds them that God’s Word is being spoken in their hearing (Deuteronomy 5:1), and that God once spoke them Himself to their face (Deuteronomy 5:4). When the King of kings speak, the first thing that we must all do is listen. Give our attention; give our heart. 

Second, learn. There is skill involved in applying God’s law; there is training that is necessary for following it well. We must be students, trainees. 

Third, be careful. The verb here is the verb for “keep.” Keep in order to do. Resolve is necessary. Vigilance is necessary. Learning God’s law is not a one-time thing, after which we can just coast in righteousness. It is a way of life with God that must be kept. Be careful.

Fourth, observe. “Do” is the verb here. The Bible is a doing book (cf. James 1:21–27). It announces to us God’s grace, just as the Lord Himself does here (Deuteronomy 5:6). But it calls us to action in response to Him, and in dependence upon Him. 

It’s a religion and a relationship. You may have heard the foolish rejection of biblical piety under the statement “It’s not a religion; it’s a relationship.” But it’s actually both. And it’s a relationship that has a particular name: covenant (Deuteronomy 5:2). Covenant that obligates not just the representatives/parents, but the children, who are federally represented in them. Moses underscores to them that this new generation, who are alive, are every bit as much covenantally bound to God today on the banks of the Jordan (Deuteronomy 5:3) as their parents were forty years ago at Horeb (Deuteronomy 5:4). 

And God deals with them covenantally. After addressing them all face to face (Deuteronomy 5:4), He is pleased to engage them through a mediator: one who stands between (Deuteronomy 5:5). Not only does Moses address them on God’s behalf, but he often addresses the Lord on their behalf. And, multiple times, he has interceded, when the Lord was ready to destroy them.

Now it is the Lord Jesus Who is Prophet, Priest, and King. The Lord deals covenantally with nations, families, and churches. But the church as a whole is in covenant with God through Jesus Christ, and each nation/church/house has a duty to acknowledge Him and submit to Him. Every true member of the invisible church, through faith, may know that He is in covenant with God through Christ. This means that we receive God’s commandments as the commandments of our covenant God, and we receive them as coming to us from the lips of our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. James 1:25, James 2:8, James 2:12; Galatians 6:2). 

We are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And He has given us His religion, His way for us to walk with Him.

How does your belonging to God, and His belonging to you, shape your view of the law? How does your having Christ as Mediator, and receiving God’s law from His lips, shape your view of the law?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are our God. And Your law is our delight. Give us to hear, learn, keep, and do Your law. Give us to rejoice to be Yours in everything that we think, say, and do. Thank You for giving Christ to be the One Who stands between us, and in Whom we are bound to You, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119M “O How I Love Your Law!” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”

2025.05.08 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 12:1–6

Read Revelation 12:1–6

Questions from the Scripture text: What appeared in heaven (Revelation 12:1)? What was the sign? With what was she clothed? Shod? Crowned? What was her condition in Revelation 12:2? What appears in Revelation 12:3? What is this sign? What color is the dragon? How many heads does it have? How many horns? How many crowns? What did his tail do to whom (Revelation 12:4)? To where did it throw them? Where did the dragon stand (verse 4)? What did it hope to do? Whom did the woman bear (Revelation 12:5)? What was the Child to do? With what? But what came of the Child? And where does the woman go (Revelation 12:6)? What is prepared for her there? What will they do for her in that place? For how long?

What are we to think of Satan’s vicious attacks against Christ and His people? Revelation 12:1–6 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the devil is a fierce enemy, but the determining factor in what comes of his attacks is God’s intentions toward His church for the glory of His Son.

Christ enthroned in Zion. Psalm 2 stood behind the praise of the elders/church in Revelation 11:17–18, and now it stands behind Revelation 12:5. Here is the One Who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron (cf. Psalm 2:8–9). And Revelation 12:6 helps us understand Psalm 2:6. God’s holy hill of Zion (cf. Psalm 2:6) is not, ultimately, the hill that David took from the Jebusites, but “God and His throne” (Revelation 12:5). 

The devil and his angels. This helps us understand Revelation 12:3 and the strange appendages of the dragon: seven heads and ten horns. Throughout Scripture, horns have represented power, and crowns on heads is easily recognized as authority. The dragon himself is Satan (cf. Revelation 12:9). Isaiah 14:12–17 and Ezekiel 28:12–19 describe his fall from heaven, and now we learn that he took one-third of the angels with him to be arch-persecutors of the church (Revelation 12:4, cf. Daniel 8:8–12). 

The nations’ satanic resistance to Christ’s authority. The final piece to understanding both this passage and Daniel 8 is Psalm 2:1–3. It is not just the demons, whom Satan has embroiled in his war against God and Christ, but the nations, peoples, kings, and rulers. Whether they are consciously aware of it or not, their resistance and rebellion against God and His anointed are not just Satanic in manner but in actual, personal identity. Currently the heads and crowns of the earth are his heads and crowns, and the horns of the earth are his horns. The peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues give their kingdom and honor to the “god of this age” (cf. Revelation 17:15–17; 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12; Acts 26:18). We ought to take nations’ rebellion against the Lord very seriously, while at the same time facing them with confidence in Him Who reigns.

One church throughout the ages. The woman is obviously the church, and especially Eve and Mary (and all of the other women in His lineage, cf. Matthew 1:5–6). Clothed with the sun, shod with the moon, and crowned with the stars, her image brings Genesis 37:9 to mind, so that with the “garland of 12 stars” representing the Lord’s authority in His church throughout the ages (not only 12 tribes under Moses, but 12 apostles under the gospel), the church back through the patriarchs is represented here. Here, we have strong Scripture witness that the church is one woman throughout the ages, not a series of disconnected entities from unrelated dispensations. With respect to Christ’s coming into the world, she is His mother, but with respect to His and her eternal glory, she is His bride! 

Biblical covenant theology keeps us from the dispensational errors that cloud our view of how God interacts with His people in this world. With the biblical, covenant theology of Revelation 12:1–6, we can behold all of God’s interactions with His church throughout the ages as indicative of His disposition and conduct toward us. 

Satan’s failed attacks upon Christ and His church. Satan’s failure to devour Christ is spectacular. His assault on the Son becomes the means by which believers re redeemed (cf. Revelation 12:11), and the occasion for the resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of Christ (Revelation 12:5b). Additionally, the effects of his vigorous assault upon the woman are entirely muted. The world in this age is pictured in Revelation 12:6a as a “wilderness.” But, just as with Israel in its infancy, the wilderness becomes a location of special care and provision by God (verse 6b). And the time period in verse 6c is, again, half of seven years, indicating that God has intentionally shortened the time for the sake of His people. He is intentionally making our afflictions lighter and more momentary (cf. Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:6). The devil is a fierce enemy, dear believer; but, the determining factor in your circumstances are God’s intentions toward you for the glory of His Son. Behold how He cares for you, provides for you, and so orders even the most difficult providence with a view toward being gentle with you!

What are some examples of nations’ satanic resistance to Christ with regard to the first table of the law? What are some examples of nations’ satanic resistance to Christ with regard to the second table of the law? How does viewing this world as “our turn to be in the wilderness” help you dwell upon God’s providential care for you? How has He been doing so?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for each and every one of our sins is a rebellion against You and against Christ that is literally in league with the devil. And, forgive us for forgetting that our fierce enemy is yet a frustrated enemy and a conquered enemy. Indeed, by focusing on our afflictions, we forget that You have lovingly, wisely, and powerfully made them light and momentary. We are so dull toward Your goodness that we fail to see how kind and generous has been Your provision for us in this wilderness. So, forgive us for the sake of Your Son, and glorify Him by cleansing us from all unrighteousness, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

2025.05.07 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

May 7 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 14:8–15 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

The Only Hope for Sinners [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 11:12–13:14]

Why did Ephraim need God Himself to commit Himself to being their Savior? Hosea 11:12–13:14 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who are subject to original sin can only be saved by God Himself.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Hosea 11:12–13:14

Read Hosea 11:12–13:14

Questions from the Scripture text: What have the northern kingdom done to the Lord (Hosea 11:12a–b)? But what is the south doing (verse 12c–d)? What does Ephraim feed upon and pursue (Hosea 12:1a–b)? In what does he increase (verse 1c)? With whom do they do trade (verse 1d–e)? But against whom does YHWH also bring a charge (Hosea 12:2a)? Who are they acting like (Hosea 12:2-4a)? But how has God dealt with him (Hosea 12:4-5)? How does this give hope for the present (Hosea 12:6)? But what are they acting like (Hosea 12:7)? And what do they think about their actions (Hosea 12:8)? What does YHWH say that He will do (Hosea 12:9)? What has He already done (Hosea 12:10)? What will He do to their false worship (Hosea 12:11)? Through what has the Lord taken care of Israel (Hosea 12:12)? And through whom (Hosea 12:13)? But what has Israel still done to Him (Hosea 12:14)? What attitude had what results (Hosea 13:1a–b)? But what action had what opposite result (verse 1c)? Now what are they doing (Hosea 13:2)? With what result for them (Hosea 13:3)? What has the Lord been to them, for how long (Hosea 13:4a–b)? What has He resolved about this relationship (verse 4c–d)? When did He bring them to know Him (Hosea 13:5)? What happened under more comfortable conditions (Hosea 13:6)? Therefore, how will He del with them (Hosea 13:7-8)? What help will they have in their distress (Hosea 13:9)? Who will YHWH be to them (Hosea 13:10)? What is the implied answer to the rhetorical questions in v10? Why did He give them a king (Hosea 13:11)? Why did He take him away? How ingrained (Hosea 13:12a) and complete (verse 12b) is Ephraim’s sin? How difficult will his judgment be upon him (Hosea 13:13a)? What does verse 13b call him? What has he done during his “childbirth” (verse 13c)? What will keep them from dying (Hosea 13:14a–b)? Who will actually die (verse 14c–e)?

Why did Ephraim need God Himself to commit Himself to being their Savior? Hosea 11:12–13:14 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who are subject to original sin can only be saved by God Himself.

The sinful nature to which we are enslaved. Ephraim’s decline into treachery against the Lord (Hosea 11:12a–b) went ahead of Judah’s (verse 12c–d). Rather than turn to the Lord in repentance, they turned to those who are great objects of God’s wrath in history (Hosea 12:1). But Judah was not far behind (Hosea 12:2-3). The problem with all people is their sinful nature; they sin because they’re sinners. And this was true of Israel; they continue to have the nature of their father (Hosea 12:3), which nature presented itself fully in his children (Hosea 12:7-8). Dear reader, you sinned in your first father Adam. And unless you come into the Lord Jesus as your new Adam, you will be trapped in that original, sinful nature forever.

The divine nature that is the hope of sinners. But just as man stays true to his nature, God is always gloriously true to His. He was merciful to the heel-grabber from the beginning (Hosea 12:3-4), He continued to show them mercy throughout their history (Hosea 12:9-10), and this unchanging God (Hosea 12:5) continues to be their merciful hope a millennium later (Hosea 12:6). From beginning to end of your covenant with Him, the Lord is your hope. From beginning to end of your spiritual life, the Lord is your hope. 

The severe chastening that serious mercy provides. Now, God’s mercy is pursuing a very specific objective: eliminate their idolatry (Hosea 12:11). His providence had prospered Jacob in Laban’s house (Hosea 12:12, cf. Genesis 31:12–16). His providence had redeemed them by the hand of Moses (Hosea 12:13). Yet, against all this grace, Israel continued to sin—provoking the current, severe chastening of the exile (Hosea 12:14). 

Lowliness before God (Hosea 13:1a) exalts a people (verse 1b). But the pride to sin freely (verse 1c) puts a sinner on the path to more and more impudent sin (Hosea 13:2). Their faithfulness is like vapor, chaff, and smoke (Hosea 13:3). But the Lord’s faithfulness… the LORD’s FAITHFULNESS!!!... that endures forever! He is the One Who made Himself their covenant God (Hosea 13:4a–b), and He is resolved that His faithfulness will overcome their unfaithfulness so that they love (verse 4c) and trust in (verse 4d) Him alone. Indeed, the early days of their history with Him, in the wilderness, were a forty year case-study in the former overcoming the latter (Hosea 13:5-6). 

So, in His loving and redeeming resolve, severe mercy is now called for (Hosea 13:7-8). He will destroy them with such a destruction that leaves them with no illusion of being able to turn anywhere else or to anyone else (Hosea 13:9-10). All of God’s dealings with them—both His giving them a king (Hosea 13:11a), and His taking from them a king (verse 11b)—have been chastenings to disabuse them of their sin. They (and we) need continual help against our sin, because on the one hand, our sin is bound up in us (Hosea 13:12a, cf. Proverbs 22:15), and on the other hand, we keep on storing it up against ourselves (Hosea 13:12b, cf. Romans 2:5). Let your sin go, dear reader. Put it away. So long as you cling to your sin, either God will condemn you to it forever, or He will put you through whatever severity of chastening is necessary to free you from your sin.

The divine resolve that secures spiritual resurrection. Spiritually, Ephraim is still in the birth canal, putting everyone through great pain and danger of death itself (Hosea 13:13). But death itself, spiritual and physical, are no obstacle for the living God; He will redeem them (Hosea 13:14a–b). He will be the death of death (verse 14c–d) and give death no quarter (verse 14e). O what hope is yours, when the Lord is Your hope! If you are in Christ, nothing, not even death itself, can separate you from the love of God, or keep Him from conforming you to the image of His Son.

When you look back on severe trials in your life, what does this passage teach you about what the Lord was doing then? What are the most severe things that you are going through? What sin might you still be clinging to? What habits of heart or mind do you have in place for remembering God’s mercy, power, and faithfulness?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we confess that we sinned in our first father and fell with him, just as Ephraim continued to demonstrate Jacob’s nature a thousand years later. We have sinned against You and needed the severest of chastenings. But, we’re so thankful that You have committed Your faithfulness and power, in Your mercy, to giving us life with You forever. Continue forgiving us for Christ’s sake, and conforming us to Christ’s character, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths, to You I Cried” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone" 

Cure for Despair [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 143]

What is the purpose of crushing trial in believers’ lives? Psalm 143 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that crushing trials throw believers upon the Lord Himself and His mercy. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 143

Read Psalm 143

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose Psalm is this (superscript)? What does Psalm 143:1a–b call this Psalm? And what does it ask God to do with it? And, once heard, then what (verse 1c–d)? According to what two attributes of His? What does the psalmist plead with God not to do (Psalm 143:2a)? Why does he need this (verse 2b)? Who has done what to him (Psalm 143:3)? With what result (Psalm 143:4)? What does he remember (Psalm 143:5a)? What does he do, as he remembers (verse 5b–c)? How do these meditations induce him to respond to his current situation (Psalm 143:6)? Why is his plea so urgent (Psalm 143:7a–b)? Whom will he be like, if the Lord hides His face from him (verse 7c–d)? What does he want to hear (Psalm 143:8a)? When? Why (verse 8b)? What does he wish to know (verse 8c)? Why (verse 8d)? What does he ask the Lord to do in Psalm 143:9? And what does he ask Him to do in Psalm 143:10a? Why (verse 10b)? And what does he ask Him to do in v10d? Why (verse 10c)? And what does he ask Him to do in Psalm 143:11a? Why? And what does he ask Him to do in verse 11b? Why? What does he ask Him to do to his enemies (Psalm 143:12a–b)? Why (verse 12c)? 

What is the purpose of crushing trial in believers’ lives? Psalm 143 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that crushing trials throw believers upon the Lord Himself and His mercy.  

Crushing circumstances. Believers experiences may be literally crushing and overwhelming. Here, David has had his life “crushed to the ground […] like those who have been long dead” (Psalm 143:3). His spirit is overwhelmed (Psalm 143:4a), his heart is distressed (verse 4b), and indeed his spirit fails (Psalm 143:7b). Dear reader, do not be surprised when the fiery trial comes upon you, and when you are overwhelmed by it. If this were not to be expected, your Lord would not have given you psalms like this to help you in them.

The cure of faith. What is the cure for a heart under such circumstances? To turn the mind and heart from the circumstances to the Lord Himself. Remember Him, and therefore remember the days of old (Psalm 143:5a), because before the mountains were brought forth, YHWH has been God from everlasting (cf. Psalm 90:2), and all of creation and providence have been the works of His hands (Psalm 143:5b–c). It is so easy to get obsessed with our circumstances; we need to lift our eyes/hearts/thoughts from them to the Lord. He has given us set times for doing so, and taught us to take this meditation upon Him into the rest of our life as well. What is your habit of meditation upon the Lord? How much you will need it to be robust, when the overwhelming days come!

The object of faith. But remembering Him is more than just remembering theological facts. It is remembering a Person, reaching out for Him with your whole self (hands and soul, Psalm 143:6), desiring the favorable lifting of His face to us (Psalm 143:7c) and the sound of His steadfast love (Psalm 143:8). David doesn’t just ask YHWH to provide a shelter; he asks Him Himself to be the shelter (Psalm 143:9). Eternal life is a personal relationship: to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent (cf. John 17:3). 

The activity of faith. Finding the Lord as our shelter puts all our hope in Him, but it doesn’t mean inactivity or passivity. Notice that trusting in Him and lifting the soul up to Him in Psalm 143:8b, d surround the request for Him to make David know the way in which he should walk. Taking shelter in Him (Psalm 143:9b) involves learning from Him to do His will (Psalm 143:10a) and being led by His Spirit in the land of uprightness (verse 10c–d). When it comes to the distress of a situation, or where your hope is within it, you must indeed “let go, and let God.” But you must never think of this as justifying a lack of study, diligence, or zeal. Biblical faith is active and vigorous. 

The hope of faith: mercy not merit. If David is (or we are) to find refuge in Him, it will have to be by way of mercy, not merit. David asks Him to do it for His own Name’s sake (Psalm 143:11), and even to avenge him out of mercy (Psalm 143:12), because David knows that no one has the righteousness by which to merit good reward from God (Psalm 143:2). Our hearts can import the certainties of Psalm 130 into the prayer of Psalm 143:2. We cry to Him from the depths, for mercy, because with Him is forgiveness that He may be feared. The assurance that He is a forgiving God is the hope of those who long for Him. Even that longing has come by grace, and that grace will surely attain its desire.

What crushing circumstances have you been in? How prepared for such circumstances would you be, based upon your current habits of drawing near to the Lord and meditating upon Him? How do trust and activity currently go together in your walk with the Lord? What might it look like for your heart to rest more upon mercy than merit?

Sample prayer:  Lord, for Your Name’s sake revive us, and lead us in the land of uprightness. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. So, grant unto us to remember the days of old, and to meditate upon all Your works and the work of Your hands. Creation and providence show forth Your praise. Fill our minds and hearts with that praise. Come to us in Your mercy, and shine Your face upon us in Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP143A “O Lord, My Spirit Fails” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cry!” 

Reaching the Chief End [Children's Catechism 144—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 144—especially explaining how the righteous will glorify God perfectly and enjoy God fully.

Q144. What will become of the righteous? They shall be taken to heaven. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Deception of Fools [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 14:8–15]

What can a fool know? Proverbs 14:8–15 looks backward to the sermon in last week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the fool is helplessly susceptible to deception. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.05 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 14:8–15

Proverbs 14:8–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the prudent understand (Proverbs 14:8a)? But what does the fool’s folly do to him and others (verse 8b)? What does the fool make light of (Proverbs 14:9a)? But what do the upright seek from the Lord (verse 9b)? What does the heart know (Proverbs 14:10a)? What doesn’t a stranger knows (verse 10b)? What comes of the house of the wicked (Proverbs 14:11a)? And of the tent of the upright (verse 11b)? And what comes of the way of the self-deceived (Proverbs 14:12)? What may the laughing or playing heart actually be experiencing (Proverbs 14:13)? With what will the backslider in heart be filled (Proverbs 14:14a)? With what will a good man be satisfied (verse 14b)? Who are easily deceived, and how (Proverbs 14:15a)? Who are protected from this, and how (verse 15b)?

What can a fool know? Proverbs 14:8–15 looks backward to the sermon in last week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the fool is helplessly susceptible to deception.  

The theme of this section is deception, and the areas in which this deception occurs make up another chiastic structure. Gullibility (Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:15); the Deceptive Destructiveness of sin (Proverbs 14:9, Proverbs 14:14); the Deceptive Surface VS the Heart Reality (Proverbs 14:10, Proverbs 14:13); and, the Deceptiveness of Comfort and Stability (Proverbs 14:11, Proverbs 14:12).

Gullibility (Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:15). If the fool is arrogant enough to reject the knowledge of God, he can surely deceive himself about everything. Knowing the Lord, the wise can begin to know himself (Proverbs 14:8a, Proverbs 14:15b), but the fool’s folly deceives him even about himself (Proverbs 14:8b). He is gullible about himself, and he is gullible about whatever he hears (Proverbs 14:15a). What do you really know? If you don’t know God, then you don’t ultimately know yourself or anything else. 

Deceptive Destructiveness of Sin (Proverbs 14:9, Proverbs 14:14).  A fool makes light of his guilty (Proverbs 14:9a). He acts as if God’s righteous justice will not fill him up exactly and fully (Proverbs 14:14a). But the upright hopes, not that he will be good enough to escape destruction, but for grace from this same God (Proverbs 14:9b). And that grace will fully satisfy him (Proverbs 14:14b). Do you act as if you could safely sin? Or do you look for God to be gracious to you and to satisfy you?

Deceptive Surface vs Heart Reality (Proverbs 14:10, Proverbs 14:13). It is important to remember that we do not truly know what’s going on in others’ hearts. We do not know their sorrow (Proverbs 14:10a), and cannot fully enter into their joy (verse 10b). We are even often deceived by our own hearts. We may be laughing and playing, but it may be a mask for sorrow and grief (Proverbs 14:13). We don’t know others’ hearts, and we cannot fully trust even our own heart. But we can know and trust the Lord, Who has trustworthily revealed “His heart” to us in Scripture! True wisdom begins with His heart, not ours.

Deceptiveness of Comfort and Stability (Proverbs 14:11, Proverbs 14:12). Note the difference between “house” in Proverbs 14:11a and “tent” in verse 11b. Often, the unbeliever’s apparent comfort and stability makes his way “seem right” to him (Proverbs 14:12a). But, if it is not the Lord’s way, then it can only have one end: death (verse 12b). We must not think that we are doing well, or that we will end well, simply because we are enjoying earthly comfort and stability (cf. Romans 2:3–5). We must not judge by appearances, but by righteous judgment.

In what ways might you be trusting your own heart instead of trusting the Lord in His Word? What voices from yourself, or from the world, have you been tempted to listen to in a way that casts doubt on the Lord’s Word in Scripture?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You have spoken clearly in Your Word, and You make Your world reliable for us. But, we are so easily deceived by others, and even by our own wicked hearts. So, grant to us the ministry of Your Spirit, that by His light unto our minds, Your Word would form everything that we think, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your  Ear” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”