Monday, June 9, 2008
Proverbs 27:8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.
GEMS FROM PROVERBS & 1
The proverb compares a person who leaves his place to a lost bird. What point of comparison does God intend? What place is it that, wandering from it, puts us in fatal danger? It is our spiritual "place" -- our "place" in God's family on earth.
We were brought into that family by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God or baptism. We have been nourished by the Word and Sacrament as we take part in the activities of our congregational families. With that nourishment we are strengthened in faith and grow in knowledge and understanding of God's truth. We are protected from soul-destroying error.
There are several ways in which a person may be tempted to wander from this "place." One is to follow other interests which draw one away from his "place." How often another person, a job, a hobby -- even laziness, coaxes people away from their "place." They may intend to return but it doesn't happen. They fall from faith. Their "place" knows them no more.
A person may isolate himself by moving to an area where there is no congregation which is faithful to the truths of Scripture. There will be a strong temptation to do nothing about his spiritual needs and so wander from his spiritual "place." He is in danger of becoming a spiritual drop-out.
Another may wander into a foreign place. He may associate with a congregation of a different fellowship, where the spiritual values are not the same. He is in great danger. Consider the problems of the pheasant chick in the hawk's nest. If the company doesn't kill him, the diet will. Being misled from the truths of Scripture in a false-teaching church puts a person in a place which can be eternally fatal.
Yet, we will all leave our "place" in God's family on earth one day. Just as nestlings mature and fly away to begin a new life, so shall we. Through faith in our Savior Jesus Christ we will leave this life at death and rise to a new place, the place which our Savior has reserved for us.
In the meantime, let us treasure our "place" in God's family on earth.
