Proverbs 12:2 "A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn."
Have you ever watched the National Hockey League’s presentation of their greatest prize, the Stanley Cup? The current Stanley Cup is a three-foot-tall trophy weighing 34.5 pounds made of silver and nickel alloy and it goes to the team that wins the playoffs. Just last night, the Las Vegas Knights won the Stanley Cup Finals and were presented with the Stanley Cup. Each player took a turn hoisting the trophy up in the air and gave it a kiss or two while the fans erupted in applause. These grown men who have made hockey their lives from childhood hugged, cred and claimed in interviews that there was no feeling like it. Based on how they acted on the ice and what they said to reporters, winning the Stanley Cup was greater than finding a wife, becoming a father or finding peace with their Maker. It’s really unbelievable! Most professional sports share a similar scene and experience. Professional football players act the same way when they win the Super Bowl as do professional basketball players and baseball players when they win their championships.
Our world measures success by tangible accomplishment. We measure success by visible accomplishments. Hitting or a throwing a ball better than everyone else makes a person wildly successful in our society. Building a bigger house than everyone else deems a person successfully. Singing a song or acting a part better than most on the big stage constitutes success in our world. Our society absolutely idolizes the people who do extraordinary things. Beautiful people are treated differently than average-looking people. Strong and athletic people are treated very differently than average-built people. Wealthy people are viewed differently than middle-class and lower-class people. It’s just normal and natural for mankind to exalt the extraordinary. It’s normal and natural for humanity to equate extraordinary with success. Despite it being normal and natural to do this, should we?
Does lifting the Stanley Cup before millions of viewers constitute success?
Is success defined by net worth?
Is an extraordinary person truly successful if they have millions of fans in the stands and just as many dollars in the bank?
Can any person claim to be genuinely successful if they don’t enjoy the favor of God?
Can any person claim to be truly successful if they have earned the condemnation of God?
This proverb tells us that God doesn’t reserve His favor for the extraordinary. The proverb tells us that God doesn’t dole out His greatest blessings to those who claim the greatest accomplishments. Solomon plainly teaches us that God gauges success by our level of goodness no matter how ordinary or extraordinary we may be. A man may be an extraordinary athlete but be entirely void of the favor of God. A woman may be an extraordinary vocalist but know nothing of the favor of God. While the world may be wildly impressed by talent, ability and accomplishment, God is impressed only by our goodness. While it may be hard for us to not be impressed with bulging muscles, big brains, huge mansions and beautiful bodies, God isn’t impressed with anything outside the moral condition of the soul. The Psalmist said it perfectly in verses 10 and 11 of the 147th psalm when he wrote of God, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.”
God isn’t impressed with a slap shot or a faceoff but He is impressed with a left winger who plays hockey for the glory of God. God isn’t impressed with financial brilliance but He is impressed with a wealthy businessman who intentionally thanks God every day for His blessings. God isn’t impressed with an amazing voice but He is impressed with a vocalist’s sincere desire to use that voice for the pleasure of God. It’s GOODNESS, not greatness that opens the windows of heaven. It’s goodness, not accomplishment or ability that shines that favor of God on a person. Trophies, records, fame and wealth do nothing for God. Honesty, holiness, faithfulness and virtue however, get God’s attention. He gauges success in our world by the level of goodness in our souls.
A man of many trophies but many wicked devices receives no applause from his Maker – only condemnation. Our society celebrates men and women who sing great songs despite devising wicked imaginations. We idolize men and women who play great roles despite performing wicked deeds. We adore men and women who break records despite breaking great commandments. What hall of famer is a true success if their life has been riddled with drunkenness, marital unfaithfulness and greed? What wealthy or accomplished soul whose life has been dominated by pride, covetousness or dishonesty can be considered truly successful? A life lacking in goodness is a life lacking in the approval and favor of God. A life lacking in the approval and favor of God cannot be a life worthy of success.
God does not gauge success the way we gauge success. He does not applaud what we applaud. He does not celebrate what we celebrate. Often, He does not favor who we favor and He often condemns who we idolize. Christian, be careful to gauge your own success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. Parents, be careful to gauge your child’s success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. Citizens, be careful to gauge your country’s success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. If you want the favor of God, pursue goodness and pursue it passionately as life without the favor of God is a life not worth living.
Our world measures success by tangible accomplishment. We measure success by visible accomplishments. Hitting or a throwing a ball better than everyone else makes a person wildly successful in our society. Building a bigger house than everyone else deems a person successfully. Singing a song or acting a part better than most on the big stage constitutes success in our world. Our society absolutely idolizes the people who do extraordinary things. Beautiful people are treated differently than average-looking people. Strong and athletic people are treated very differently than average-built people. Wealthy people are viewed differently than middle-class and lower-class people. It’s just normal and natural for mankind to exalt the extraordinary. It’s normal and natural for humanity to equate extraordinary with success. Despite it being normal and natural to do this, should we?
Does lifting the Stanley Cup before millions of viewers constitute success?
Is success defined by net worth?
Is an extraordinary person truly successful if they have millions of fans in the stands and just as many dollars in the bank?
Can any person claim to be genuinely successful if they don’t enjoy the favor of God?
Can any person claim to be truly successful if they have earned the condemnation of God?
This proverb tells us that God doesn’t reserve His favor for the extraordinary. The proverb tells us that God doesn’t dole out His greatest blessings to those who claim the greatest accomplishments. Solomon plainly teaches us that God gauges success by our level of goodness no matter how ordinary or extraordinary we may be. A man may be an extraordinary athlete but be entirely void of the favor of God. A woman may be an extraordinary vocalist but know nothing of the favor of God. While the world may be wildly impressed by talent, ability and accomplishment, God is impressed only by our goodness. While it may be hard for us to not be impressed with bulging muscles, big brains, huge mansions and beautiful bodies, God isn’t impressed with anything outside the moral condition of the soul. The Psalmist said it perfectly in verses 10 and 11 of the 147th psalm when he wrote of God, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.”
God isn’t impressed with a slap shot or a faceoff but He is impressed with a left winger who plays hockey for the glory of God. God isn’t impressed with financial brilliance but He is impressed with a wealthy businessman who intentionally thanks God every day for His blessings. God isn’t impressed with an amazing voice but He is impressed with a vocalist’s sincere desire to use that voice for the pleasure of God. It’s GOODNESS, not greatness that opens the windows of heaven. It’s goodness, not accomplishment or ability that shines that favor of God on a person. Trophies, records, fame and wealth do nothing for God. Honesty, holiness, faithfulness and virtue however, get God’s attention. He gauges success in our world by the level of goodness in our souls.
A man of many trophies but many wicked devices receives no applause from his Maker – only condemnation. Our society celebrates men and women who sing great songs despite devising wicked imaginations. We idolize men and women who play great roles despite performing wicked deeds. We adore men and women who break records despite breaking great commandments. What hall of famer is a true success if their life has been riddled with drunkenness, marital unfaithfulness and greed? What wealthy or accomplished soul whose life has been dominated by pride, covetousness or dishonesty can be considered truly successful? A life lacking in goodness is a life lacking in the approval and favor of God. A life lacking in the approval and favor of God cannot be a life worthy of success.
God does not gauge success the way we gauge success. He does not applaud what we applaud. He does not celebrate what we celebrate. Often, He does not favor who we favor and He often condemns who we idolize. Christian, be careful to gauge your own success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. Parents, be careful to gauge your child’s success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. Citizens, be careful to gauge your country’s success by anything other than by God’s Gauge of Goodness. If you want the favor of God, pursue goodness and pursue it passionately as life without the favor of God is a life not worth living.
Posted in Proverbs Commentary
Posted in Solomon, success, Favor of God, Condemnation of God, Psalms, Athletics, Sports, NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, Stanley Cup, Goodness, Rich
Posted in Solomon, success, Favor of God, Condemnation of God, Psalms, Athletics, Sports, NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, Stanley Cup, Goodness, Rich
Recent
Archive
2024
January
September
2023
January
February
March
April
October
2022
January
February
June
September
October
November
Categories
Tags
Rehoboam
Solomon
fear of God
health
pride
self-sufficiency
wisdom
1 Corinthians
1 John
2020
5th Commandment
Aaron
Abel
Abigail
Abortion
Abraham
Absalom
Accident
Accomplishment
Achan
Acts 17
Acts
Adam & Eve
Adam
Adolescence
Adolf Hitler
Adulterer
Adulteress
Aesop's Fable
Aesop\'s Fable
Aesop\\\'s Fable
Affair
Age
Agreement
Ahijah
Ahithophel
Albany
Alcoholism
Alive
Ally
Alone
Amazon
Ambition
American
America
Amnon
Andrew Finch
Animal Abuse
Animals
Answered Prayer
Antichrist
Applause
Apple of Eye
Approval
Arrogance
Arthritis
Asaph
Ashamed
Athletes
Athletics
Attorney
Backbone
Back
Balaam
Balance
Bank Accounts
Bathsheba
Beauty
Bedroom
Beecher
Behavior
Benefit
Benjamin
BestBuy
Bethlehem
Betting
Bezaleel
Bible reading
Bible teacher
Bible-reading
Bible
Biblical instruction
Big Mouths
Big Picture
Bin Laden
Birth
Blog
Boasting
Bonar
Bondage
Books
Boomerang
Boyfriend
Brutal
Brutish
Budget
Buffalo Bills
Builder
Building
Business
CA Rt 1
Cable News
Calamity
Call of Duty
Calming
Calvin
Canaan
Cancer
Candidates
Careers
Cares of Life
Casey Viner
Change
Character
Cheesecake Factory
Christian upbringing
Christ
Churches
Circumspect
Clamor
Clinton
Clothes
Clothing
Coaches
Coach
College
Commands
Commend
Communication
Companionship
Companions
Company
Compliance
Conceit
Conception
Condemnation of God
Confession
Confidentiality
Conflict
Conservation
Contentions
Contrast
Conversation
Conviction
Cooperation
Corinthians
Corrupt
Cosigner
Cosigning
Cosign
Counseling
Countenance
Courting
Coworkers
Creation
Creator
Creatures
Crime
Criminals
Crooked
Cruel
Curiosity
Currency
Danger
Daniel
Data
Dating
Daughters
David
Days
Death
Deceit
Deceptive
Delilah
Delivery
Democracy
Democratic
Desires
Desire
Deuteronomy
Devil
Diet
Diligent
Diploma
Discovery
Diseases
Disease
Dishonesty
Dishonor
Dislikes
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Doorhanger
Dreams
Dress
Drink
Drug lords
Drunk Driver
Drunk
Early Adulthood
Ears
Eastern Culture
Ecclesiastes
Economic Stability
Eden
Elderly
Elihu
Elijah
Eliphaz
Emai
Emerson
Emmies
Employers
Encouragement
Engagement
Enoch
Ephesians
Ephraimites
Esau
Estate Planning
Esther
Eternity
Evening
Eve
Evolution
Excellence
Excel
Exodus
Expectations
Expectation
Experience
FaceBook
Face
Faithful
Fall of Man
False
Fame
Families
Famine
Farmer
Farming
Farm
Fashion
Favor of God
Fear of the Lord
Fearing God
Feast of Purim
Financial Advisor
Financial Planning
Financial Security
Fingers
Food
Foolish
Football
Free-will
Freedom
Friendships
Friendship
Friend
Froward
Fruit
Fumble
GPS
Gadarenes
Galatians 6:7
Galatians
Gamble
Gang
Garden of Eden
Garden of Gethsemane
Garden
Gender Differences
Genesis
Gideon
Gileadites
Girlfriend
Girls
Giving
Glad
Gluttony
Goals
God's Kingdom
God\'s Kingdom
Godhead
Goliath
Goodness
Gossip
Graciousness
Grammies
Grandchildren
Gratitude
Grave
Grief
Guess
Guide
Guilt Culture
Gun Control
Gun Violence
Guns
Gutters
Hagar
Haman
Hamlet
Hands
Hannah
Hard Work
Hard-Working
Harlot
Hate Evil
Hatred
Head
Healthcare
Healthy
Hearing
Heaven
Heaviness
Heavy Heart
Hebrews
Helicopters
Hell
Herod
Highway
History
Hollywood
Holy Spirit
Home Depot
Homeowner
Homes
Homicide
Homosexuality
Honesty
House
Human Nature
Humble
Humility
Hunting
Hypocrisy
Hypocrites
IRS
Ian Brady
Illness
Immorality
Inconsiderate
Independence
Industrious
Inheritance
Inherit
Insecurity
Insight
Instagram
Instructing
Integrity
Internet
Interview
Intoxication
Inventions
Isaac
Israel
Jacob
Jairus
James
Jealousy
Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeremiah
Jeroboam
Jerusalem
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Jewish Law
Jewish
Jimmy Soul
Jobs
Job
John the Apostle
John
Jonah
Joseph
Joshua
Josiah
Joy
Judah
Judaism
Judas Iscariot
Judges
Judging
Judgmental
Jury
Justice System
Kindness
King David
King Hezekiah
Kings
King
Know-it-all
Language
Last Testament
Law Enforcement
Laws
Law
Leaders
Learn
Legislation
Liars
Liar
Liberty
Library
Lies
Life Lesson
Life-Insurance
Likes
Lion
Loan
Longevity
Look
Looting
Lori Loughlin
Loss of Health
Loss of LIfe
Loss
Lottery
Love Triangle
Lowliness
Luke 7
Luke
Luther
Luxury
Lying
MLB
Magazines
Majority
Maker
Makeup
Maniac
Manna
Mansion
Maple Trees
Mark
Martyrs
Martyr
Marvel
Mary
Matthew
Media
Memories
Mentors
Men
Merciful
Merriness
Messages
Mike Tyson
Mindset
Ministers
Mob
Mocker
Mocking
Monarchy
Monarch
Monopoly
Month
Moody
Morality
Mordecai
Morning
Moses
Mouths
Murder
Musician
NBA
NFL
NHL
Natural Disaster
Naughtiness
Nebuchadnezzar
Negative
Nehemiah
New Tricks
News Anchors
Noah
Nobles
Nose
Numbers
Nutrition
O.J. Simpson
Obama
Observation
Obtain
Old Dogs
Olive Garden
Order
Others
Paint
Parenting
Passion
Pastors
Pastor
Paul the Apostle
Paul
Perspective
Perverse
Perversion
Peter
Pharisees
Pharoah
Philippians
Phone Call
Physical Appearance
Plant
Player
Pleasure
Policies
Political Parties
Politicians
Politics
Polygamy
Poor
Popularity
Portrait
Positive
Possessions
Potiphar's Wife
Potiphar\'s Wife
Potiphar\\\'s Wife
Potiphar\\\\\\\'s Wife
Praise
Prate
Prating
Preacher
Pregnancy
Pregnant
Preparation
Princes
Prince
Principal Thing
Principal
Procrastinate
Procrastinator
Profit
Proof
Prophecy
Prophet
Prosperity Gospel
Prostitute
Protests
Proud
Proverbs
Proverb
Psalm 21
Psalm 35
Psalm 37
Psalms 37
Psalms
Psalm
Punishment
Pure
Purity
Purpose
QVC
Questions
Rachel
Rage
Ransom
Rebate
Rebekkah
Rebel
Red Lobster
Reels
Regulations
Regulation
Rehoboam
Rehoboma
Relationship Difficulties
Relationship
Religion
Remember
Repentance
Reporter
Reprove
Republican
Reputation
Research
Resistance
Responsibilities
Resume
Resurrection
Retirement
Revealing
Revelation
Reward
Rich & Famous
Rich Man
Rich
Ridicule
Righteouness
Right
Riot
Road
Romania
Romans 8:28
Romans
Rulers
Ruler
Rules
Rule
Sabbath
Sadness
Samson
Samuel
Sarah
Satan
Satisfaction
Satisfy
Saul
Saving
Scale
Scam
School
Science
Scientist
Scoffer
Scripture
Sea of Galilee
Seasons
Seatbelts
Secrets
Seduce
Seed
Seek
Self-Confidence
Selfies
Selfishness
Senses
Sermons
Servitude
Sexual Chaos
Sexual Confusion
Shakespeare
Shame Culture
Shame
Shane Gaskill
Shenandoah Valley
Shoe Laces
Siblings
Sickness
Sight
Silence
Simon Peter
Simon
Sinning
Slothful
Smelling
Social Media
Social
Society
Solomon
Song of Solomon
Sons
Sorrow
Source
Speaking
Speak
Speculation
Speech
Speeding
Spies
Spiritual Security
Sporting
Sports
Sport
Spouses
Stanley Cup
Steal
Stephen
Stimulus
Stock Market
Strange Woman
Strangers
Stratego
Strength
Stress
Struggles
Student
Super Bowl Rings
Surely
Surety
Swatting
Sweat
Talebearer
Talkative
Talking
Tamar
Tasting
Taylor
Teachers
Teaching
Teenagers
Teenager
Teens
Tendency
Tension
Texas Roadhouse
Text
Theft
Theocracy
Tik Tok
Till
Timothy
Tithes
To be or not to be
Toddlers
Toddler
Tolerance
Tomb
Tongue
Touching
Tour Guide
Traffic Light
Traffic Signal
Trainer
Transgressor
Travel
Treasure
Treatment
Tribute
Trickery
Trinity
Trips
Trouble
True Love
True Wisdom
True
Turner
Tyler Barriss
Uber Eats
Understanding
Unemployment
Unforgiveness
Unhealthy
Universities
Unjust
Unrighteous
Uprightness
Upright
Vain
Value
Vanity
Vehicle
Vengeance
Videos
Virtuous
Vision
Votes
Voting
Walk
Walmart
Washington
Watsom
Way of Life
Way
Wealthy
Weight
Western Culture
Winking
Wink
Wise Men
Witnessing
Womb
Women
Work Ethic
Worth
Wrong
X
Yankees
YouTube
Zechariah
addiction
adultery
advertisements
advertiser
advertising
advice
advisor
affection
affirmation
aggression
alcohol
amos
angels
anointing
ant
anxiety
appetite
argument
assumption
as
attractions
authority
background
backyard
bankrupt
battle
beginning
birds
bitterness
blessed
brain
bright
broken nose
buckler
campfire
cardinal sins
career
carelessness
car
cause
certainty
charity
chastening
childhood
childrearing
children
child
choices
church attendance
church
command
confidence
confident
consequences
considerate
contention
contentment
conversaion
correction
counselor
counsel
covetousness
criticism
cruelty
cynicism
dads
dad
darkness
dark
daughter
debt
deception
decisions
defend
defense
demands
destruction
determination
diamonds
diligence
direction
disappointment
discernment
discipleship
disciples
disciple
discipline
discontentment
discord
discretion
distractions
distress
doctrine
dogs
drinking
drugs
dying
ear
education
effort
emotions
employee
employer
employment
enemies
enticement
enticing
envy
equity
evil communications
evil men
evil women
evil
example
eyelids
eyes
ezekiel
facts
failure
fairness
faith
family
fathers
father
favor
fear of God
fear of man
fear
feelings
feminine
fighting
fight
filthy
finances
fire
flattery
focus
following
foolishness
foolishnes
fools
fool
forgiveness
fornication
friends
future
gambling
gangs
gender
gold
good men
good
government
grace
greed
guard
guilt
happiness
happy
harm
hate
headlights
health
heart
hear
hold your peace
holiness
home
honor
hope
hunger
husbands
husband
ignorance
illustration
income
inequality
infidelity
influence
iniquity
insomnia
instincts
instruction
intimacy
investigation
investing
isaiah
issued
issue
jabs
jewelry
judgment
justice
just
kidnapper
kidney
kids
knowledge
labor
law of sowing and reaping
laziness
lazy
leadership
learning
legacy
length of days
lessons
let
life
light
lips
listening
listen
little
liver
living
loans
loneliness
long life
longterm
love
lucifer
lust
man
marketing
marriage
math
memorization
memory
mercy
messenger
millions
mind
ministry
mischief
misery loves company
misery
mistakes
mom
money
mothers
mother
motive
mouth
movies
nature
necklace
neck
neighbor
obscenity
observant
oil
oppression
oppressor
organs
ornaments
parable
paranoia
parenthood
parents
parent
pastoring
path
peace
peculiarity
peer pressure
peers
peer
permission
personification
pleasant
politician
ponder
pornography
pottymouth
poverty
power
prayer
preservation
pride
priests
private
procrastination
prodigal
profanity
prosperity
prostitution
protection
protect
prudence
public restroom
purchases
reading
reaping
reason
rebellion
rebuke
regret
rejection
relate
relationships
relevant
remedy
remembrance
remorse
repetition
replacement
reproof
respect
responsibility
responsible
retain
retention
riches
righteousness
righteous
risk
robber
romance
rubies
safety
sailor
salvation
schools
scorner
secret
security
seduction
seeing
see
self-sufficiency
self-sufficient
serpent
seven deadly sins
seven
sexist
sexual sin
sex
short-term
silver
simple
simplicity
sinners
sin
skepticism
slander
sleeplessness
sleep
slothfulness
sluggard
smoke to the eyes
smoke
son
soul
sowing
spleen
spouse
stability
stranger
strange
strife
striving
successful
success
suicide
surgeon
sword
talents
talk
taxes
teacher
television
temptation
tendencies
thief
thieves
thinking
think
thoughtfulness
thoughts
thought
threats
time
tithe
tree of life
trust
truth
tv
vehicles
vice
video games
vinegar to the teeth
vinegar
violence
violent
virtue
virtuous woman
visual
voice of God
voice
vulgar
walking
war
wealth
well
wickedness
wicked
wife
will
wine
wisdom
wise sayings
wise
wives
woman
word of God
words
workplace
work
worry
young man
young people
young
youth