Proverbs 12:2
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A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
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Dear reader, it would do you good to read Hannah's prayer of praise (I Sam 2:1-10). She knew the LORD was a God of knowledge and that He weighed the actions of men. She praised Him for His great work of putting one person up and putting another down. He made a great difference between her and her adversary (I Sam 1:4-8,17-20; 2:18-21,26).
The LORD's favour is wonderful. It is better than the mythical touch of Midas, better than friendship with Bill Gates, and better than the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. There is nothing like it in this world or the next (Ps 4:6-8; 16:11). How can we measure having the Lord as our Friend, Comforter, Benefactor, and Protector?
His favour can make all the difference in the world in a man's life. Can we fully comprehend it? How can we describe it? If He blesses your soul, your body, your marriage, your children, the work of your hands, and your eternal destination, what else is there (Ps 1:1-6; 73:23-27; 128:1-6; 144:11-15)? Thank you, dear Father.
But His condemnation is a horrible thing. It far exceeds any personal or natural disaster, for the Creator God becomes your enemy and will torment you in this life and the next. He can torment your soul with fear and trembling that is indescribable (Deut 28:65-68)! Terminal cancer and annihilation would be a relief from what He can do to you. How can you measure the horror of the Lord chasing you into eternity (Ps 35:5-6)?
Jesus told His disciples that pain and death were nothing at all. Why fear men? They cannot do anything of serious or lasting harm! He taught them the only true Person to fear was His Father, Who was able to kill the body in this life and then send both body and soul to hell for eternity. Fear Him! Jesus warned (Luke 12:4-5).
What makes this difference - the great gulf between God's rewards? Your choices today, reader! That is right! Your choices today will either be good in His sight, or they will be wicked. You think you can do what you want? You think you have a right to your own life? You think you can protect yourself from His fallout? You think you can avoid the consequences of your sin? You think He doesn't see? Doesn't care? Guess again, fool!
A good man is so by grace (Ps 14:1-3; Gal 5:22-23), but grace must be used to be the good man here (I Cor 15:10; II Cor 12:11). He finds the favour of the great God by laying hold of wisdom (8:35). The foolish man rejects it and chooses death instead (8:36).
The defining difference between our two subjects is how they treat wisdom - the instruction of the Scripture of God. Do you tremble before it yet? Will you even take enough time to read and consider this warning? Will you do anything about it? Today?
Reject it, and He will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you (Ps 50:22; Hos 5:14; 13:8)! He will turn your life upside down and inside out (Ps 146:9). He will smash you in the face and break out your teeth (Ps 3:7; 58:6). If you think for one second God has changed, try Hebrews 10:26-31; 12:28-29; and 13:8. When He comes in anger, men beg for mountains to fall on them and hide them (Rev 6:16-17). Don't be a fool!
Beware, lest you think it is your idea and measure of what makes a good man. Do not let anyone, even your dear mother, flatter you into thinking you are a good man. The holy God has no regard for such foolish thoughts. He will only favour the man who trembles before His word and keeps His commandments with a humble heart (Ps 112:1-4; Is 66:2).
The difference in His rewards is enormous; it is immeasurable. Do you see it clearly? He can bless so abundantly and so kindly, and He can destroy so gloriously and so painfully.
Did the LORD's favour make a difference in Joseph's life? An incredible difference! How about Abraham? Ruth? Esther? Job? David? Daniel? Mary Magdalene?
Did the LORD's condemnation make a difference in Saul's life? What tormenting misery! How about Cain? Lot? Eli? Nabal? Jehoram? Uzziah? Judas? Herod?
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up (James 4:10). There is precious favour to be obtained from the LORD. Some men walked with Him as their Friend, others walked straight into heaven without dying, and yet others had His benevolent care and protection around and upon them wherever they went and whatever they did. Do good, and you will love life and see good days (I Pet 3:10-12)! Amen.
The LORD can raise beggars up out of the dunghill and put them on the throne of glory, and He can put the greatest monarch in world history out to pasture, literally (II Sam 7:8; Dan 4:27-33). He rewards our conduct in this life - David and Nebuchadnezzar; and He rewards it in the next life - Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31).
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