Proverbs 11:17-18:
If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. NLT
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird; But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. NASB
Last year at this time I introduced you to Arnold Reimer, a retired pastor from a church I frequently attended — Bayview Glen Alliance Church in Toronto — and his blog titled Finishing Well. Today’s thoughts are from two consecutive posts there.
A downside of being a news junkie is the gloomy reports of tragedy and violence one hears nightly. Accidents, shootings bombings, floods, hurricanes, sickness, death, deceit, fires, political strife and corruption – the list is almost endless! Worst of all are the stories of man’s inhumanity to man – the acts of violence due to anger, revenge, lust, greed, drunkenness, rebellion – the whole gamut of consequences brought about by bad choices. Too often a damaging environment in home, school, society, even religion or its absence, have shaped and twisted thinking and personality.
Whoever rejects the concept of sin, or the depravity afflicting humanity, is either blind or detached from reality. The biblical explanation is, “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” Truly, the “god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Our nation’s increasing rejection of God’s authority over what is, and is not, sin is determining the decline and bleakness of our future. The high cost of rejecting God and His commandments cannot be avoided. We reap what we sow.
Who of us has not experienced, or observed, how easy it is to ambush one’s own life? A wrong choice or decision, carelessly made, can reek havoc to one’s future, marriage, finances, relationships, reputation, health, career or whatever. How grievous it is to see youth making choices about behaviour, morality, appearance, companions, habits, work ethics and attitudes that can only result in limitations and hurt, if not disaster.
For years our family devotions included reading a chapter from the Proverbs. The first chapter contains a vital motive to pay attention to the whole book. It warns the reader of those who “ambush their own lives,” by rejecting wisdom, knowledge and the fear of God. They do not accept counsel and spurn reproof. “They eat the fruit of their own way.”
Oh, that young and old alike would seek the forgiveness of God that leads to salvation; and the wisdom of God that leads to wise choices, good decisions and true blessing. Another proverb admonishes: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” From my youth, I have held on to that promise. I can report with conviction that deviation from it hurts, but obedience benefits. God is faithful to His Word and Ways.
Thank God, most ambushes to which we victimize ourselves, though often hurtful, are not fatal. That allows us time, the wisdom of understanding, the grace of repentance, the kindness of forgiveness and the blessing of renewal. “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart, for the night comes when no one can work.” “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What a wonderful, healing promise – a way to avoid an ambush!
The Proverbial statement, “They ambush their own lives,” is a sad description of the self-hurt most of us have experienced at one time or another. Wrong choices, bad behaviour and foolish rebellion result in wounds, dysfunction, crippling limitations, grief and the judgment of hurtful consequences – sometimes life-long and beyond.
The list of things that ambush one’s life can be found in the Ten Commandments. Most of the disruption to family life, social chaos and corruption can be traced back to our disregard or violation of the divine will and order. Because our government, educational system and courts of law have often chosen to reject God’s counsel for a noble society, our country is increasingly losing its way and stumbling in darkness. The individual or family who rejects God’s way misses the pathway to a happy home and a safe environment. The evidence of this is most everywhere one cares to look. Our stubborn refusal to admit to our national rebellion against God and His ways, and thus to correct it, condemns us to devastating hurt! We are literally ambushing our own lives!
Is there a solution? What can we, who care, do about this before it is too late?
- Proclaim faithfully the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. Respond to the convicting, convincing work of the Holy Spirit who bears witness to all who will believe that they are children of God. He guides into all truth those who listen.
- Demonstrate and teach the fear of God, the value of obedience to absolute truth, and the beauty of holiness. Sin must be named and forsaken. Guilt must be understood rather than be disregarded or shoved under a rug. The way of cleansing, purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus on the cross, must be applied.
- Search the Scriptures daily to advance your knowledge of God. Draw upon the sufficiency of Christ. Find and own the promises of God which cleanse and shape thoughts and behaviour. These actions build discernment and wisdom.
- Learn to recognize the deceitfulness of the devil, the lust of the flesh, the nature of idolatry and the lure of the world and its ways. Distrust yourself, but trust God. He satisfies the hungry soul.
- Put on the whole armor of God. Practice using both the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Expect to be attacked, and prepare for it.
- Rejoice that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
- Worship God in spirit and in truth. Praise Him with a whole heart. Pray to Him without ceasing, rejoicing in the Lord always.
As long as we walk this earth we will face things that ambush faith, hope, love, holiness, body, soul, spirit and our very lives. So be it! But our protection and victory are assured in Christ Jesus who has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Having done all, stand – and keep standing for victory in Christ Jesus is sure and His coming is near.
Christianity 201 