2025.07.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Micah 2:12–13

Read Micah 2:12–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What will the Lord do to whom (Micah 2:12a)? Who, from Jacob, specifically (verse 12b)? Into what belonging (verse 12c), what safety (verse 12d), and what plurality (verse 12e) will He gather them? Who will come up before them (Micah 2:13a)? What will they do, led by Him (verse 13b)? Enabling them to pass through what (verse 13c)? In order to go where (verse 13d)? Who is this breaker-open who passes before them (verse 13e)? And Who is at their head, as this King passes before them (verse 13f)?

What good Word does God have for His people? Micah 2:12–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God proclaims to His people a salvation and a Savior that are infinitely greater than they could imagine.

The people rejected the “negative” preaching of God’s true prophets (Micah 2:6-11), and the Lord had answered that His Word indeed does good to him who walks uprightly (Micah 2:7d–e), but this has not been the case with Israel in recent times (Micah 2:8-9), so they would indeed be scattered and destroyed (Micah 2:10), no matter what their false preachers say (Micah 2:11). 

But the true preaching is very “positive” for the righteous remnant of Israel. The Lord Himself will assemble (Micah 2:12a) this remnant (verse 12b), with marvelous results:

They will be secure (as sheep of the fold, verse 12c).

They will be well-cared for (as sheep in the pasture, verse 12d).

And they will be numerous (so many men that their sheer number is noisy, verse 12d). They may be a remnant, but the remnant, through the ages, comes to an impressive number indeed!

How will this happen? How will they escape the place(s) of their exile, to which they have been dispersed? The Lord will send Someone to lead them, Who is able to burst through (Micah 2:13a). 

With Him at the front, they will be able to burst through themselves (verse 13b), pass through the gate (verse 13c), and leave (verse 13d). 

And this King will continue to lead them even then (verse 13e). He will not just initiate their deliverance; He will lead them all the way. 

The greatness of this deliverance, restoration, peace, and prosperity comes not merely because of the King’s action, but even because of His Person. Verse 13f  does not introduce a new figure, but tells Who this king is at their head: YHWH Himself! Jesus is our archegos (“Captain,” in Hebrews 2:10), the One Who blazes the trail for us to follow with Him.

There is no safety apart from the Lord’s Deliverer—apart from the Lord Himself. And this was why  nation of people who had rejected Him were in so much trouble. But, behold how great and sure is the safety of those who are His!

We do not need “positive” preaching that makes us feel good about ourselves. We need the true preaching of this King’s Word. We need YHWH Himself to be the One Who breaks out at the front, and leads our own breaking out and redemption forever!

In what circumstances, or potential circumstances, are you in danger of feeling secure without Christ? How have you, perhaps, desired to hear about a god with Whom you didn’t have to take your sin seriously? What is the best part of the gospel of His own delivering you, and continuing to lead you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for proclaiming Your redemption to us. Indeed, You are powerfully and surely saving a remnant for Yourself, that comes to be a great multitude. Forgive us for when we find any security without You, or when we allow ourselves to be discouraged, even though we are Yours. Make us to remember King Jesus, leading us and delivering us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP7B “God Is My Shield” or TPH178 “We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought”

2025.07.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 150

Read Psalm 150

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does the Psalm begin and end (Psalm 150:1a, Psalm 150:6b)? Where are they to praise Him (Psalm 150:1b–c)? For what are they to praise Him (Psalm 150:2a)? According to what (verse 2b)? With what eight things are they to praise Him (Psalm 150:3-5)? Who are to praise Him (Psalm 150:6a)? 

Why do we exist? Psalm 150 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we exist for the praise of YHWH.  

“Praise YHWH” is not only he beginning (Psalm 150:1a) and end (Psalm 150:6b) of this Psalm, and the conclusion to the whole psalter. It is the purpose of all things (cf. Romans 11:36). 

Where. The holiness of YHWH is the proper place of His worship. Yes, this was identified with a particular location in the tabernacle and then the temple, but Psalm 150:1c clarifies that this means that greatest display of God holiness—in glory. This is the proper, ultimate location of God’s worship—especially over-against the way that people like to choose for themselves (dreadful clause!) their locations of worship. Wherever he holy God has commanded to communicate His holiness, that is the place to worship. For us on earth, it is the Sabbath-assembly of the church, which alone joins heavenly Zion.

Why. The great occasion for the worship of God is His mighty acts (Psalm 150:2a). And none are mightier than the saving works of Jesus Christ! But these mighty acts serve a purpose: to display the excellent greatness of YHWH God Himself. While His acts may be the occasion of our worship, He Himself is its object. Our praise should be in accord with His excellent greatness. And the only way to have praise as great as God is to offer that praise through the Son, by the ministry of the Spirit.

How. Psalm 150:3-5 touches different priestly instruments. The identifications of the instruments are uncertain, but their identity is not the point. It is significant that they are priestly instruments, since this implies that the praise that accords with the greatness is that particular praise that God Himself has ordained. But the main point seems to be how very many were listed. We should praise Him with everything. Everything that He has provided, by which to praise Him, we ought to employ in that praise. For, He is worthy of it all!

Who. Psalm 150:6a reminds us of the purpose of breath. Our breath is from the Lord, and our breath is for the Lord. Whatever any creature has, the purpose of what it has is for the praise of God. Do you draw breath, dear reader? The purpose of that breath is the praise of YHWH!

How can you praise the Lord in the place of His holiness? How can your praise be in accord with His excellent greatness? What has He commanded for His praise, and how much of it should you offer to Him? What is the purpose of your breath?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You! In Christ, we ascend to You and enter, beyond the veil, into the reality of the Holy of Holies in glory. We come, not with the various musical instruments of the temple priesthood, but with the full priesthood of Jesus, our Great High Priest. Praising You is the reason that we breathe, so please give us the ministry of Your own Spirit, to worship You through Your Son, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP150 “O Praise the Lord! Give Praise to God!” or TPH150C “Sing Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”

2025.06.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 15:20–24

Read Proverbs 15:20–24

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of son does what for whom (Proverbs 15:20a)? But who does what to whom else (verse 20b)? What is joyous to whom in Proverbs 15:21a? Who is his counterpart, and what does he do (verse 21b)? What is there a risk of lacking, and what happens in that case (Proverbs 15:22a)? How are plans established (verse 22b)? What can give a man joy (Proverbs 15:23a)? What sort of answer, specifically (verse 23b)? Whose way goes where (Proverbs 15:24a)? Turning away from where (verse 24b)? 

Who have true joy? Proverbs 15:20–24 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who rejoice in the Lord have true joy.  

The previous section (Proverbs 15:13-19) drove home the principle that one is made happy not by changed circumstances but by a changed heart. Now, the Scripture focuses upon some of those circumstances that themselves change, when the heart is changed, and how joyful they are to the godly heart.

Proverbs 15:20 reminds us of the introduction to this extended section of “proverbs of Solomon” (cf. Proverbs 10:1). But it rings a little differently in the context of a section that is focused upon joy. Just as the Christian must hate to grieve Christ, so the son should hate to grieve his parents. Christ is not robbed of joy, but how dreadful to grieve the most joyful Man there has ever been! And a godly father and mother have continual joy in the Lord (cf. Philippians 4:4), which makes it even better to be part of the Lord’s good gifts to them (Proverbs 15:20a), and even worse to be a grief to them. In fact, a man cannot rightly claim to love his mother if he is a fool; the willingness to grieve her by his folly demonstrates that he truly has little regard for her (verse 20b). 

Proverbs 15:21-22 describe the joyous path. It’s not the fool’s gold of the fool’s joy. He loves folly. He enjoys just letting himself go—as if the Lord doesn’t exist, and as if life from God, through God, and to God is not a weighty thing. This shows that he is heartless (Proverbs 15:21a, literally)—not in the way of being cruel, but in the way of being senseless about what is truly good and joyous. His plans do not go straight (Proverbs 15:22a), according to what is right, like those of the man in Proverbs 15:21b. By contrast, that man, the upright man, has the heart not only to desire the right way, but to value input from those whom the Lord has given him to guide him in that way (Proverbs 15:22b). So the upright man has joy in the Lord that desires what is right, joy in the counsel that directs him in what is right, and joy in the actual doing of what is right! This, of course, begins with that first set of counselors that Proverbs 15:20 had in view: the godly father and mother.

Proverbs 15:23-24 build upon this idea of the joy of receiving and following good counsel—and of coming to be the one who gives it as well. To the one who has joy in the Lord, he delights not only to learn the Lord’s ways, but to be used by the Lord to teach others (Proverbs 15:23a). As the Lord graces him and gifts him, his delight isn’t so much in himself as it is in the Lord, in those moments of speaking the right word, in the right way, at the right time (verse 23b). He rejoices, in part, because this skill that the Lord is growing in him is just one part of the Lord’s bringing him steadily to glory (Proverbs 15:24a)—a reminder that the good God is giving him the opposite of what he deserves (Proverbs 15:25b).

So, dear reader, it is possible that you may need a “joy transplant,” where you learn to delight, more in more, in those things that those people delight in, who delight themselves in the Lord. There are so many who wish to have the desires of their heart; the Bible recipe for that is to begin by delighting oneself in the Lord (cf. Psalm 37:4). 

What are your joys in life? Which joys would be greater? How can they become your joys? How greatly would you enjoy them? What evidence, in your life, do you have that the Lord is taking you to glory? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to us Your own joy—delight in You Yourself. Grant unto us to enjoy desiring that delight, being directed into that delight, and doing that which You teach us to find delightful. So, give us that wonderful aspect of the fruit of Your Spirit that is the joy of Christ Himself, in Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”

2025.06.29 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, 3p)

Click below for the:

June 29 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Matthew 20:17–19 sermon outline

3p song selections & Deuteronomy 5:17 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.

2025.06.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 20:17–19

Read Matthew 20:17–19

Questions from the Scripture text: Where was Jesus going now (v17, cf. 19:1)? Whom did He take aside along the way? To do what? What command does He give at the beginning of v18? Who are going where? What is His identity? What will happen to Him first? Then what will the chief priests and scribes judge about Him? To whom will they deliver Him (v19)? What three things will they do to Him? What will He do on what day?

How are we to think about the cross? Matthew 20:17–19 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus Himself shows us His glory and salvation, as He leads us in contemplating His cross.  

Jesus takes you aside.

He commands you to behold. To pay attention. To consider. To meditate.

He points out His and your union in His atoning work.

He points out the glory of His Person.

He points out the humility of His work.

He turns us away from hope in men, or mindless esteeming of their words and works.

He commands the rightly condemned to consider His own condemnation.

He suffers all that we deserve, not only condemnation but mocking, punishment, and curse.

He models for us how to do our own suffering, albeit less than His own.

He prepares us to see the completeness of His work, that He rises even though He had our sin upon Him.

He prepares us to see the perfection of His power, that death cannot hold Him.

He prepares us to see Him Himself as God’s great sign to us.

He tells all of this in advance, so that we will see Him Himself as the sign (which is also indicated by the number, the third day, recalling how Jonah himself was the sign to the Ninevites). 

How does Christ take you aside to mediate upon His death and resurrection? How often do you do these things? How are you responding to the greatness of His glory? What things did He suffer for you? How are you sure that this was effective?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You for humbling Yourself to the death of the cross, for our sakes. Give us to meditate often upon it. And having been loved much and forgiven much, make us to love You much. Make us to meditate upon Your resurrection with joy, confidence, and adoration, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH352 “Man of Sorrows”

2025.06.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 5:17

Read Deuteronomy 5:17

Questions from the Scripture text: What does this verse prohibit?

What is the most basic requirement for honoring God in our interactions with others? Deuteronomy 5:17 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that valuing God in others means especially valuing man as made in the image of God.  

In the first five commandments, the primary interaction was with God. Even in the fifth, the honor/glory/ weightiness was primarily God’s, with father and mother as surrogate authorities under Him. Now, as the moral law turns from loving God with all the heart to loving our neighbor, the first thing that it highlights is a proper valuing of God’s image in man.

It was obvious, when Cain murdered Abel in Genesis 4, that it was wicked. Genesis 1 had emphasized that man is made in the image of God, and God had warned Cain that sin was crouching at his door, desiring to control him (cf. Gen 4:7). 

But the logic prohibiting murder is explicitly detailed in Gen 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.” There, God Himself makes a distinction between that killing that despises the image of God (murder) and that killing that justly vindicates the image of God (by man his blood shall be shed). 

There are many words for killing in Hebrew, and this one has the shade of meaning of striking down or assassination. This is important not only because it highlights the component of intent and premeditation but also because, as we have seen in other commandments, its focus is especially on the heart. Our Lord Jesus’s own expounding upon this was that rash anger, name-calling, and lashing out are all worthy of condemnation (cf. Mat 5:22). 

Combining these two, we see that we are not just to treat people as made in the image of God, but we are to love God, to love God’s image, to love that He made people in His image, and to love from our hearts His image in those people.

When that is the case, both with ourselves and others, we become diligent and zealous for the preservation of life and dignity. We treat others and ourselves with respect. We take care of our health. We bear patiently with others and exercise gentleness and compassion, refusing all strife or bitterness. Indeed, when others are mistreated, we defend and protect them. And all of this not primarily to feel good about ourselves or make others feel good about themselves or about us, but to respond rightly to the infinite value of God Himself.

In all of this, the regard is first for the Lord. No one actually keeps this commandment apart from knowledge of Him and love for Him. And so the place for us to begin is with fostering love for Him by His Word and meditation upon His love for us (cf. 1Jo 4:19). We dare not trust ourselves to think of or interact rightly with others until our hearts have been set right by love for Him.

What people do you have a difficult time loving well? What truth about them will help you? What interaction with God will help you? What must be recovered in our culture for life to be valued properly?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for making us in Your own image. Forgive us for failing to value Your image will either in ourselves or in others. Thank You for valuing us infinitely and eternally in Christ. Grant that we would imitate you in this, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP5B “Listen to My Words, O Lord” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments” 

2025.06.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 14:14–20

Read Revelation 14:14–20

Questions from the Scripture text: What did John do in v14? What did he see? Who sat on it? What was on His head? What was in His hand? Who came out of where (v15)? What was he doing to Whom? What did he say for Him to do with His sickle? Why? What was ripe? Who does what in v16? With what result? Who comes out of where in v17? Having what? Who comes out of where in v18? Over what did he have power? Unto whom does he cry? Telling him to gather what? Why? What does this other angel do (v19)? Where does he throw what is gathered from the vine? Where was this winepress trampled (v20)? What came out? How high? For how wide?

What is the last day like? Revelation 14:14–20 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the last day is a day of double harvest.

This passage concludes the section that began in v12 detailing the war with the dragon. 

As with the messages to the churches, the seven seals, and the seven trumpets, the war with the dragon applies to the entire period between the comings of Christ. 

And, as with those other sections, the close of the section focuses more specifically on the close of the age. Here, there are two harvestings, one of those who belong to the Son of Man, and the other of those who are gathered for fire.

There can be no question Who the Son of Man (v14) is, as He is identified by this title (cf. Dan 7:13–14). He is also identified by His crown (cf. Rev 19:12), and the cloud. This “white” cloud is not like a rain cloud; it is the glory cloud by which the Lord appeared to Israel, inhabited the temple, and displayed His presence at the Transfiguration. Marvelously, Jesus is not just in the cloud, or surrounded by it, but seated on top of it. He is the King of Glory. Even as He returns as Mediator, a glorified man, He is the God-Man, a divine Person, Who sits atop the display of God’s glory!

Notice that His sickle is sharp. He has not been idle. True to His promise, He has been preparing a place for those who are His (cf. Jn 14:1–3). He is preparing to gather in His own, and when the Day comes, the preparation will be perfect. His servant-angle in v15 cries out to Him that all is ready, and He harvests His own.

But it is not just the “wheat” who are harvested on this day, but the tares. Another angel emerges from the temple for this work in v17. And a third angel cries out to him (v18). This harvest isn’t “tares” as in the parable, but grapes, because the wine of their blood is pressed by the wrath of God (v19). 

As we have seen before, the number four often refers to the whole earth (“four corners,” “four winds,” etc.). And here, 4x4x100 indicates the fullness of the earth. Just as those who are Christ’s shall be completely and securely harvested to Him in one great moment of His gathering, so also those who are not His shall be gathered unto their everlasting suffering of wrath in one fell swoop. 

The harvest of the last day will be swift and sure for you, dear reader, either the one way or the other. 

Which shall it be? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb, by which you overcome? Or shall that day be, for you, the day of the wrath of the Lamb?

What is Jesus doing for you now? What will He do for you (or to you) on the last day? How do you know? How sure is this to happen? What will He be like when you see Him? What will this be like for you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for our carelessness about the last day. Thank You for preparing a place for us now, and the certainty of Your gathering us in the last day. Thank You for saving us from Your own dreadful wrath. Grant that, by You Sprit, we would live with the courage and confidence that is appropriate to those who belong to You, ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the LORD” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”

2025.06.25 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

June 25 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 15:13–18 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.

2025.06.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 149

Read Psalm 149

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom shall we praise (Psalm 149:1)? What shall we sing? Where? In whom is Israel to rejoice (Psalm 149:2)? In whom must the children of Zion be joyful? What aspects of the worship led by Levitical priests are named in Psalm 149:3? In whom does the Lord take pleasure (Psalm 149:4)? With what does He beautify the humble (verse 4)? In what should saints be joyful (Psalm 149:5)? What should they do on their beds? What should be in their mouths (Psalm 149:6)? And what should be in their hands? For what purpose (Psalm 149:7-9a)? Which of the Lord’s saints have this honor?

What does the assembly of praising saints enjoy? Psalm 149 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the assembly of praising saints enjoys the pleasure of the Lord and the power of the Lord.  

This is a Psalm about corporate worship—the praise of the Lord in the assembly of the saints. 

Yes, it’s a praise that continues to resound in their hearts and mouths even when they are at home on their beds (Psalm 149:5). 

But it is something that distinctly belongs to the assembly (Psalm 149:1), as evidenced by the reference to the specifically Levite-led activities of Psalm 149:3.

We, of course, are no longer led by Levites in a temple on earth, but we ourselves are the temple, and we are led by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Great High Priest over the congregation in glory! Therefore, the joy of the song is not diminished, but rather increased—as the saints are joyful in glory. 

In particular, we now know how it can even be that YHWH Himself takes pleasure in us in Psalm 149:4 (!!). 

It is because we come to Him through His beloved Son, with Whom He is well pleased. 

He delights in His Son, and He delights in us who are in His Son!

But not only do we have the privilege of a great reception on High, week by week in this life. We also have the privilege of a great power on earth.

Which of the Lord’s saints wield this great sword to which Psalm 149:6-9 refer? 

All His saints. Psalm 149:9 says, “This honor have ALL His saints.” 

Now, we know that not all His saints carry physical swords by which they subjugate rulers. 

But, just as our worship must come from God and not be merely the worship of men, so also our weapons are the weapons of God.

As we believe the Scripture together, and confess it in worship, and admonish one another with it, and teach it to our children, we are participating in the subjugation of all the nations, which shall surely be accomplished by God’s mighty Word. 

And, we have the privilege, as we depart worship each week, of carrying His high praise in our mouths, and His sword in our hands. Hallelujah!

How do you know that God takes pleasure in You in the public worship? What power do you have?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You, Who have made us. We rejoice in You, our King. We marvel that You take pleasure in us, as in Your beloved Son, with Whom You are well pleased. Grant that we would take Your praise into the rest of our lives, especially as You give us to conquer the world through ordinary, faithful Christianity. Thank You for giving this honor to all of Your saints. Grant it to us, we ask, through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP149B “O Praise the Lord, O Sing Aloud” or TPH149B “O Praise Ye the Lord”

2025.06.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 15:13–19

Read Proverbs 15:13–19

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of heart has what effect in Proverbs 15:13a? But what sort of heart has what other effect in verse 13b? Whose heart seeks what in Proverbs 15:14a? But what do fools employ instead of the heart (verse 14b)? Upon what does it feed? How many of the afflicted’s days are evil (Proverbs 15:15a)? What is the condition of the heart in verse 15b? How often does it feast? What are the two combinations in Proverbs 15:16? Which is better? What are the wo combinations in Proverbs 15:17? Which is better? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:18 describe? What differing effects do they produce? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:19 describe? How does their character determine their experiences? 

What can make someone happy in his circumstances? Proverbs 15:13–19 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that happiness is gained not by improved circumstances but by godliness with contentment, the fear of the Lord.  

The thread that ties this section together is how one’s character actually shapes his circumstances or his experience of them.

In Proverbs 15:13-15, it’s not differing circumstances, but different dispositions of the heart that make someone either glad or miserable. The merry heart is the understanding heart. It has a continual fest in the knowledge that it seeks, and it is glad in every circumstance. The sorrowful/afflicted heart lets its mouth run out ahead of it. Because it feeds on foolishness, it does not enjoy the sumptuous fare of a feast. Instead, its spirit is broken, and it finds every day evil.

In Proverbs 15:16, the fear of the Lord makes what little one might have into a blessing. But is absence makes any amount that one might have into a problem. The more that the godless has, the worse. What is true vertically, with the first table of the law and the first great commandment in verse 16, has its counterpart horizontally, with the second table of the law and the second great commandment in Proverbs 15:17. This verse is not praising vegetarianism; it says that when there is love in the place, even being vegetarian can be overcome! But there is no quality or quantity of food that can be a blessing in the midst of hating and being hated.

In Proverbs 15:18, strife does not come from the circumstances but from the type of man that is involved—either wrathful or slow to anger. And in Proverbs 15:19, one finds his path painful, or safe and secure, not because of the features in the path itself but due to his own constitution: whether he is lazy or upright.

In all of these ways, we see the difference that the fear of the Lord makes in one’s life. It is more of a blessing than if one’s circumstances could be dramatically altered. For, the chief thing in every situation is to know Him and to receive the good from His hand, in whatever particulars His love and wisdom agree together to give to us. 

This is not only the effect of a right attitude, but also because of differences that the fear of the Lord make in one’s character, such as his seeking knowledge, being slow to anger, and being diligent. Such character qualities change the actual circumstances, which is a blessing compounded by the contentment of the heart that fears the Lord.

Dear reader, you may be tempted to think that if this or that thing in your circumstances changed, you would be happier. But the truth is that if you, yourself, were changed, to fear the Lord more, then you would be happier.

What changes to your circumstances are you tempted to think would make you happier? But what are some specific things, mentioned in this passage, that actually need to change, for you to be happier?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to us to fear You and to know Your goodness to us. Grant that we would be content with You, and that as You conform us by Your Spirit to the character of Christ, You would make us to find ourselves filled with the joy of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”