Today’s devotional study is brief, but profound in its simple application. It is a classic study in the principle of “Cause and Effect”.
Proverbs 13:13-14 – “Whoso despiseth [disrespect; show contempt] the word [instruction] shall be destroyed [hurt]: but he that feareth [reverence] the commandment [the law of God or man] shall be rewarded. 14 The law [precept; instructions; teachings] of the wise [those living in accord with God’s Law] is a fountain of life [sustains life], to depart [turn aside] from [protect; avoid] the snares [trap; net] of death.”
Lesson: There is a synergy, a symbiotic harmony between hearing and heeding God’s Law and the quality of one’s life.
Solomon warned his son that sorrow, pain and destruction are the end of a man who has contempt for God’s Law and despises the instruction of the wise.
In contrast, the man who adheres to the Law of God and accepts the teachings of the wise [those who fear the Lord] shall be rewarded and spared the “snares of death” (13:14).
I close with a New Testament lesson in the principle of Cause and Effect:
Galatians 6:6-8 – “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith