June 11, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 11
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16. A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20. They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23. The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth." - Proverbs 11:7

"Hope" is a wonderful word. It is used frequently throughout the Scriptures as an encouragement to the believers. It is our hope that keeps us going in difficult times. It is hope that makes us realize that someday Jesus will return and we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. It is hope that lets us know that, even though we may not understand what God is doing, He understands, and we can rely on Him. The unbelieving world does not comprehend the true meaning of the believer's hope. If you ask the average man on the street if he is going to go to Heaven, his response will be, "I hope so". His "hope" is not an assurance that God will be faithful to His promises, but rather a tentative wishing that it will occur.

For the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (II Cor. 5:8). At that point we will experience first hand the fulfillment of our hope, for all that we have been promised in the Bible will then take place. However, for the unbeliever, when his soul departs from his body in death, he will immediately be in Hell (Luke 16:23). Once he is there, he has no hope. His wishful thinking about spending eternity in Heaven will have been dashed upon the reality of his eternally lost condition. As it says in today's verse, his expectation and his hope shall perish.

Many religions today are teaching that a man may have a second chance once he is dead. Others teach that the torments of Hell are not eternal. Both of these claims are heretical and unBiblical. Once a man departs from this life without Christ, he has no more hope. There is no hope that he will someday go to Heaven, or that he will someday be released from his agony. His hope has perished, and he is consigned to the fires of Hell for all eternity.

Are you "hoping" to get to Heaven, or do you have the "blessed hope" that only comes from salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery