Change (Proverbs 24:27)

Change is a good thing. In fact if we want to change, our environment must change.

"[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside, and get it ready for yourself in the field, and afterward build your house and establish your home." Proverbs 24:27, Amplified

What Solomon is trying to say here is that we must make the environment around the house suitable for habitation before it is habitable. In other words, clean it up, make it ready, make it safe, then build the home.

It is much like our Christian walk. Once we initially come to the Lord, a light is turned on within the soul. But how does one walk with the Lord if he does not change his environment? I have heard the miracle of Lazars being raised from the dead as a correlation to being born again. The linen coverings were drenched with the bodily fluids, he had little to no mobility and he couldn't even see because his head was covered in a shroud. Jesus told those around him to loose him. You see, Lazarus needed help being loosed from those death clothes.

Our Christian walk can be likened to this in that as we shed those death shrouds we become new men. But take it a step further and change the environment. What does that mean? Change your friends, change habits, change what you watch what you listen to. Change everything. Once you have made the outside ready then you will be ready to build your home, a home established in peace.

Constant (Proverbs 24:21-22)

Every person needs a constant in their lives, something that never changes. Humans are given to change, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"My son, reverently fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary]; for their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon the rebellious?" Proverbs 24:21-22, Amplified

Every time we make the decision to sin, we become those revolutionaries against the Lord. Our allegiance has momentarily changed from the Spirit to the flesh. It is so important for us to have the constant of Jesus on our lives to be that anchor. I am reminded of the scene in "The Patriot" when the militia is going against the English and they are overcome and they begin to retreat. Benjamin Martin sees this and he rides to cut off the retreaters, waving the American flag. This is what they need to gather the strength to overcome their fears. Jesus Christ is that very same banner. He is our strength. He is our freedom. He is our constant.