Hang Time

(Pro 15:25 KJV)  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Today I am liking the “tear down” (5255) of the NASB to the “destroy” of the KJV.  It is reminding me that the destruction of the rebellious does not always take place overnight.  In fact I would submit that it is usually gradual.  I look at families that seem to have done the right things and yet their children take the wrong path.  We always need to make allowance for free will and people making their own decisions but I always wonder if much of the tragedy we see could have been avoided by a lot of little decisions to be obedient and choices of the narrow road.  Since we are not God and can’t read hearts it is not for us to judge.  All we can do is make sure our path is the narrow road.

The gradual decent sometimes makes it hard to see.  That is the bad part.  On the other hand, a gradual deterioration makes it possible to repent and recover before total disaster is reached.  It speaks well of God’s patience that He gives us the rope and is a sad truth about our resistance that we use it to hang ourselves instead of making a knot.

So?  God is patient.  He gives us all the time we need to make the right choices.  I would guess that when He knows we will not respond He steps up the pace of destruction.  Live in wisdom.