We will consider two proverbs that address two different topics today.
Proverbs 22:12 – “The eyes [sight; favor; pleasure] of the LORD [Jehovah; Eternal, Self-existing God] preserve [guard; watch; protect] knowledge [the discernment of good and evil], and He overthroweth [subverts; turns upside down; brings to naught] the words [speech; affairs; purpose] of the transgressor [deceitful; unfaithful].”
Living in a sin cursed world gives occasions when we face the proverbial “curve ball”, leaving us wondering and sometimes dreading, what is next! There are times and seasons when the wicked appear to prosper and faithful saints suffer for choosing to be men and women of integrity. Proverbs 22:12 offers us the assurance that nothing escapes the eye, literally the sight and favor, of the LORD!
Faithful Christian, take heart! God’s plans and purpose will not be frustrated and He promises to ultimately overthrow the plans of the wicked.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Our second proverb is a classic, insightful proverb of “Uncommon Common Sense”.
Proverbs 22:13 – “The slothful [lazy; sluggard] man saith [speak; tell], There is a 
lion without [abroad; in the street; outside], I shall be slain in the streets [avenues; open places].”
Lazy, indolent men and women are always looking for creative excuses to not fulfill an obligation or go to work! The excuses of the sluggard are innumerable: “It’s too cold”; “It’s too hot”; “It’s too hard”; “It’s boring”; “I’m tired”; “It’s too far”; “My boss is mean”; “My teacher is hard”…go ahead, add your own excuses to my list!
Some excuses, like the one in Proverbs 22:13, border on the absurd! It is doubtful a wild lion would have been roaming the streets of a village in Israel; however, the possibility was enough for the “slothful man” to stay home and not go to work!
A couple of applications before I close:
Mom and dad, you are doing your son or daughter a grave disservice if you entertain their whining and complaints. Allowing your children to escape the burden of responsibility and accountability to other authorities in their life is setting them up for failure! For homeschoolers—put your children on a schedule and teach them the best lesson of all—be faithful! Teach them to get out of bed…study hard…practice…and by all means, quit making excuses for their character flaws! Teach them that whining never pays the bills or puts food on the table!
Finally, a note to sons and daughters: Stop making excuses for failing to fulfill obligations; after all, it is a sin to do less than your best!
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith
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