September 28

Sep 28 - Today from Proverbs 28 we look at verse 26
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." (NIV)
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool, but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." (KJV)

Sometimes we can get a better insight by reading a passage in more than one translation. In the case of our Proverb for today, the KJV renders a better picture of the Teacher's focus. There can be a significant difference between the concept of being kept safe and of being delivered. By looking at the subtle differences of the two terms, I think we would all choose being kept safe over that of being delivered. The Teacher is using a word that literally means delivered.
What is the big difference? To be delivered means that the subject was in some sort of eminent danger and did not have the ability within his own resources to escape. We would err to believe that people who walk in wisdom never find themselves in circumstances of eminent danger - "kept safe". The truth is, we live in a fallen world, fraught with sin and its effects. Sometimes I think we as Christians focus solely on the power of God without ever properly considering the power of sin. The Son of God Himself was not 'kept safe' from its power when He walked this earth. He was genuinely tempted. Hebrews 4:15 says He "has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet without sin." Jesus did not have the ability within His own resources to escape temptation. He was delivered - every time - because He walked in perfect wisdom.
Right now I am quite sure some are ready to charge me with blasphemy. "Jesus is God! What do you mean He didn't have the resources within Himself to escape temptation?" Jesus never ceased being God, but Philippians 2:7 clearly says He "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant." Why, when Jesus was baptized, does the scripture point out that the Holy Spirit came on Him - and remained on Him? Why did Jesus continually go off on personal retreats and spend so much time in prayer? Why did Jesus repeatedly tell His disciples that He did not act or speak on His own, but only that which the Father showed Him? Because in the incarnation, even though He was the very nature of God, He made Himself nothing and took the nature of a servant. Why, when tempted by Satan himself, didn't Jesus say, "Look here you son of perdition - I'm God, and I'm ordering you to get out of here and leave me and all of my followers alone!" Instead, Jesus used the power and wisdom of His Father's Word, and only then was Jesus delivered from the temptations.
A servant does not trust in himself. A servant does not have authority or resources within himself. A servant’s delivering authority and resources come from his master. When a servant finds himself in a dangerous and overwhelming situation, he would be a fool to trust in his own paltry authority and resources when those of his superior master's are available. It is when he humbles himself and acknowledges and utilized the resources of the master that he will be delivered.
We live in a fallen world, fraught with sin and its effects. We find ourselves in constant danger of temptation and exploitation. We are not 'kept safe' of their presence and power. We need to be delivered. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." A petition from Jesus' model prayer. We find deliverance by walking in wisdom. Studying God's Word, talking with God, and living our lives the way God meant them to be. Taking the nature of a servant and walking humbly with our God does indeed keep us safe - through constant deliverance.
"Thank you Lord for your delivering power. Grant me the humility to utilize it. Amen."