IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

A Fountain of Life

Date: Apr. 5, 2017

Passage

Proverbs 14:18-35  (ESV)

18   The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19   The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20   The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    but the rich has many friends.
21   Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22   Do they not go astray who devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23   In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24   The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25   A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26   In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27   The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28   In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.
29   Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30   A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
    but envy makes the bones rot.
31   Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
    but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32   The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33   Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
34   Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
35   A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 14:27

  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

1. Whoever fears the Lord is secure (18-26)

To fear the Lord means to walk before God rather than before men. To fear the Lord is to honor and serve him. When we fear God, our lives become secure. We can make prudent choices based on sound knowledge (18). We are so blessed that even our enemies recognize us (19). We become prosperous and give generously to the poor (20-21, 23-24). When we fear the Lord, we make plans that lead us to goodness, love and faithfulness (22). We give the truth that saves others (25). The fear of the Lord becomes literally a fortress around us, and our children are also blessed and secure in his love and protection (26).

2. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life (27-35)

The fear of God leads us to eternal life welling up in our souls like a fountain. The fear of God saves us from the snares of sin and death that prey upon our souls (27). The fear of the Lord leads us to glory, patience, great understanding, peace, a deeper humanity, and a living hope (28-32). The fear of the Lord instills us with divine wisdom (33). With the fear of God, we can overcome death, sin, and condemnation (27, 32, 34-35).

Prayer: Lord, help me to fear the Lord and be secure in this life. Help me to fear the Lord and experience the fountain of life welling up in my soul.

One Word: The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life

Daily Bread

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

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Intro Daily