The Bible says, "The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path” (Psalm 37:30).
In the mid to late ‘90s I was practicing securities law in Calgary, Alberta. I was on for an investment bank in a public offering of securities for a mining issuer. The lawyer for the mining company was at a boutique securities firm. The firm, no longer in existence, had a bad reputation. They were smart lawyers, made a ton of money, but they were also hard partiers and they were horrible to deal with. You could not trust them. As I was reading through the draft prospectus on behalf of my I-bank client, my job was to compare it to what the independent engineering report said. I found that the prospectus had overstated the amount of the gold in the reserves - by a lot. The disclosure was completely manufactured compared to what the engineering report actually said.
Buyer beware. Caveat emptor. I guess that is the whole point of due diligence. That’s the point of securities regulation. There are crooked lawyers out there and their clients who are willing to steal and destroy and lie. I found it hard to believe at the time. But it is true. You will get good, godly wholesome counsel from some. And from others, wickedly smart men, you will get much different counsel. I know, right, what a realization: there are crooked lawyers out there! But so what? What are we to do about it? Act ethically! Be godly. Give godly and good counsel.
Our challenge is to be ready, willing and able to do good and be godly. The problem is, like Peter, our natural desires are strong and we will miss many opportunities to please God. When we deny who we are in Christ, fail to prepare to obey Jesus, and bear false witness against our King, it is because of our sin. Yes, news flash again, we are all sinners. I know, I’m really coming up with some genius stuff this morning!
And like Peter, my friends, God loves us and wants us to repent of our sin and to serve Christ in fidelity. No matter the cost. Making a quick buck on some gold mining company is not worth your soul!
So, let’s be mentally and spiritually ready to trust in Jesus and to do good today. Jesus says not to worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong (Psalm 37:1). I don’t and I pray you don’t as well. God will take care of the wicked in His timing. We have lots to be concerned about today, just being ready to do good.
It’s Ash Wednesday. As we focus on Jesus over the next 40 days, let’s delight in our Lord and Savior. Grow in Jesus for the world offers no lasting satisfaction and only empty promises. But God gives us our heart’s pure and good desires. It is God who enables the godly to give good counsel and to lift up and cheer His people.
Commit everything to Jesus. He will help us as He did Peter and the Apostles, even through the toughest storms. As we patiently wait on Jesus this Easter, know that Jesus will destroy the proud, arrogant, and wicked. They are here today, but shortly to be nowhere to be seen. God will bless and protect those who trust in Jesus Christ and obey Him.
“It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich” (Psalm 37:17).
Lord Jesus, we need you. Please take care of us today. Amen.
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