Wrath or Favor – Daily Inspiration P. 265 - Supernatural Truth in Christ

Proverbs 19: King James Bible

Wrath or Favor – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter nineteen, Verse 12

12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass.

Daily Inspiration from These Verses – Wrath or Favor

I believe, this is a verse that is easy to visualize both physically as well as spiritually. We’ll take a look at both directions this verse takes us.

We can look at it at face value, and consider country vs country; leader vs leader, that kind of thing. The verse still works. Most countries are better off at peace, and the lesser is better off having favor of the greater. But throughout history, a lesser nation can also suffer from the wrath of a greater nation.

Physically speaking, I believe that we can still get the point if we scale it down a bit. Not many of us have the liberty to kindle the wrath of the President, right? Not too many of us are in a position to be rubbing elbows with earthly kings. But we can provoke the wrath of others in lesser positions of authority.

Physical

At Home:

Parents are the rulers of their own domain, and this is an example that we should all understand. Well, assuming that we’ve all been kids before. They lay down the law, give favor when it is due, and display wrath when it is necessary. Like taking away their cell phones when they don’t do what they’re supposed to do. Oh the humanity!

Authorities:

Police can be a blessing, when they come to the rescue. But they can also become a problem when they come to give you your just deserves (if you’ve broken the law). Does it really need to be said, that it is better to have the favor of the police by doing what’s right, rather than having their wrath kindled against you for something that you shouldn’t have done?

A quick word about that… It isn’t very popular these days, to be in favor of police in many different areas across the United States. Yes there are some crooked or abusive cops, as there would be crooked or abusive people in any line of work.

But setting that all aside, the largest reason that people have issues with police in general, is because lawlessness is taking root in many areas, and is spreading. After all, what is to be expected in a society that has marginalized the differences between right and wrong, and teaches that there is no such thing as absolutes as relating to morality? I believe that the growing hatred toward every area of law enforcement is a direct result of these kind of “open minded” philosophies over the past decade or two. Evil is seen as good, and good is being seen as evil. There’s a verse or two in the Word about that, but I digress…

At Work:

The good thing about this part, is that there is a chance that the wrath of your employer is only as fierce as your need for the job. That said, the great majority of people out there have a job, because they need their job. For this reason (along with many scriptural reasons), it is far better to have an honest favor in the eyes of your employer, than to be on the other end of the stick.

The reasoning is obvious. An employer’s wrath can land you out of a job, whether or not you’re ready to be without one. Again, I believe that these things should go without saying, and are fairly obvious. Work as unto the Lord, and you’ll be just fine, eventually finding favor.

Spiritual

The spiritual side of this verse should also be fairly obvious. We are subject to the King of Kings. But he isn’t a far off ruler, nor is he as an earthly king, who we’ll never know or meet.

He is the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End; the First and the Last. A king that we’re all going to have to stand before one day, and give an account for all that we’ve ever done. Now, we who are in Christ, it will be to weigh us for reward.

But for those who refuse Christ Jesus, it will be for sentencing, having opted to pay the penalty for their sins personally, instead of the option that was bought and paid for on their behalf. Now, doesn’t that sound like the dumbest decision in the world? Opting to suffer the wrath of the King of Kings, than to be favored by the Creator of the Entire universe?

How blinded people are by this world and the things in this world, to ignore the depth of the importance of eternity, compared to this brief moment in time that we draw our breath.

Related New Testament Scripture

John 6:

27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Romans 13:

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

1 Corinthians 3:

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Ephesians 4:

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for your Word, and for walking us through it in wisdom, and increasing our understanding. Help us all to stay mindful of what you’ve taught us, and guide us down a path that will please you, and put a smile on your face. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen

Question

Are you prepared for wrath or favor from the Lord?

Daily Inspiration from Proverbs 19 P. 265 – Wrath or Favor