Bridges on Proverbs 10:29
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:29
 
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 31-32 
 
29.  The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
 
Observe how the gladness of the righteous is “their strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10.) In the roughness of the way — “Go in this thy might” — is the cheering voice — “Have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:14.) “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” (Isaiah 40:29.) This promise, however, implies help for our work, not rest from our labour. We shall have strength for the conflict. But “there is no discharge from the war.” There is supply for real, not for imaginary, wants; for present, not for future, need. The healthful energy of the man of God is also supposed. He is alive in the way. His heart is set in it. This makes it practicable. What before was drudgery is now meat and drink. Indeed, the more godly we are, the more godly we shall be. The habit of grace increases by exercise. One step helps on the next.
Thus was the way of the LORD strength to the upright Nicodemus. His first step was feebleness and fear. Walking onwards, he waxed stronger (Job 17:9); standing up in the ungodly council, and ultimately the bold confessor of his Savior, when his self-confident disciples slunk back. (John 3:2; 7:50, 51; 19:39.) Innate sufficiency we have none. The strongest in their own strength shall “faint and be weary.” The weakest in the Lord's strength shall “march on, and not faint.”† Thus, in the hour of temptation, the upright will find their way to be strength. (2 Chronicles 15:2.) Joseph in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:10); Obadiah in Ahab's house (1 Kings 18:3); Daniel in the Persian court (Daniel 6:10), held on a fiery trial, sustained from on high. Thus — thus alone — “the righteous shall hold on their way; going from strength to strength; strengthened in the LORD, and walking up and down in his name.” (Job 17:9. Psalm 84:5-7. Zechariah 10:12.) When we look at our own resources, we might ‘as well despair of moving sin from our hearts, as of casting down the mountains with our fingers.’† Yet none of us need to shrink from the confession — “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13.)
No such resources support the workers of iniquity. Captives instead of soldiers, they know no conflicts; they realize no need of strength. Even now “destruction is in their ways” (Isaiah 59:7. Romans 3:16. Isaiah 50:11), and the “voice of the Judge will fearfully seal their doom. Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.” (Luke 13:27. Chapter 21:15. Job 31:3. Psalm 36:12.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nehemiah 8:10
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
 
 
Judges 6:14
14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
 
 
Isaiah 40:29
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
 
 
Job 17:9
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. {be...: Heb. add strength}
 
 
John 3:2
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
 
John 7:50, 51
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) {to Jesus: Gr. to him} 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
 
John 19:39
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 40:31. Bishop Lowth's Version.
 
 
Isaiah 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. {renew: Heb. change}
 
 
2 Chronicles 15:2
2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. {to meet...: Heb. before Asa}
 
 
Genesis 39:10
10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
 
 
1 Kings 18:3
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: {Obadiah: Heb. Obadiahu} {the governor...: Heb. over his house}
 
 
Daniel 6:10
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
 
 
Job 17:9
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. {be...: Heb. add strength}
 
Psalm 84:5-7
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. {Baca...: or, mulberry trees make him a well, etc} {filleth: Heb. covereth} 7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. {strength to...: or, company to company}
 
Zechariah 10:12
12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Reynolds.
 
 
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
 
 
Isaiah 59:7
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. {destruction: Heb. breaking}
 
Romans 3:16
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
 
Isaiah 50:11
11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
 
 
Luke 13:27
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
 
Proverbs 21:15
15 ¶ It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
 
Job 31:3
3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
 
Psalm 36:12
12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.