Comfort and Red Lines

(Psalms 121:8 LB) He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

How about a word of comfort for the day.  This ought to do it for you.  God is not our servant.  He does not jump through hoops or feel a need to earn His salary.  He is more like a parent who is always aware of what His toddler is up to.  He is almighty God and He is constantly in multi-function mode.  If a poisonous snake is coming through the fence to get you He will zap it.  If you are going to step in a fire ant mound He will nudge you aside.  Usually.

This is also a word of challenge for the day.  God has a peculiar way of guarding us.  It does not mean that you will face no issues or experience no failure.  It means that He will keep things out of the red zone.  You know about the red zone if you have ever driven a motor vehicle with a tachometer.  The needle tells you when the RPM’s are safe and when they forecast danger.  

So?  Don’t red line your day.  While God will protect us from many things our deliberate violation of His will is not on the list.  

Ancient Alarm Systems

(Psa 123:2 KJV)  Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

This describes a mental attitude that is totally foreign to us.  The word “servants” (5650) is sometimes translated “slave”.  That is because in ancient times there was a social position that did not have much difference.  The power of the masters was almost absolute.  

Why would the “maiden” (8198) be fixed on the hand of her mistress?  Because she was expected to understand that her place in society demanded subservience and instant obedience.  If the boss-lady picked up her coffee cup and looked inside the servant should already be on her way with a refill or fresh cup.  In the process the servant was not allowed to express any annoyance or sloth.  The signals were clear.

So?  We should be attuned to what God has to say to us.  That may come obviously in a sermon or a Bible verse.  It may also come from that inner voice that becomes alert when we see something that sets off an alarm in our soul.  

Evangelistic Evil

(Pro 4:16 KJV)  For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

I read this verse every month.  I think the idea is repeated another place in Proverbs.  It would do many Christians good to pay attention to it.  It isn’t just that evil exists.  The point is that there are people who are unhappy if they are not able to drag someone else down to their level.  Evil is evangelistic.

Keep that in mind when you watch commercials.  Review it when you listen to talking heads.  You might even consider it when you spend time with people you think are your friends.  The enemies of God are all in and are out to get you.  It is not your imagination.

So?  When I was teaching, students would come up and deliberately cough in my face hoping to make me sick.  In a way it was childish nonsense.  In a way it was a manifestation of this verse.  Eventually my immune system developed so that their coughing was in vain.  Build up your immunity to evil. 

Hope Day

(1Pe 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

(Proverbs 3 also read)

This verse came to mind in the early hours focusing on the word “hope” (1680).  I think I was pondering the condition of the world and discussions I had listened to.  One question that came up in regard to the condition of society was, “Is there any hope?”  My instant response was, “Yes.”  Their instant response was, “No.”  

You may not have noticed but those are two different answers.  They would not understand that the different answers are based on a different reference point for our hope.  The talking heads were reflecting on the ability of us as individuals to bring about change in the system.  It was based on a knowledge of human nature and a lack of moral fiber.

We acknowledge those points but come from a different reference point.  Our hope is not based on a dependence on society and politicians but on our hearts and our God.  We can look at history, see the suffering and chaos and still realize that God has preserved His people.

So?  We have a hope.  By that we don’t mean a desire but an assurance.  We need to be ready to share that.  If we exhibit our hope people will wonder and if we have been a faithful witness they will want to know if we are crazy or know something they don’t.  

Know Your Temptations

(Pro 2:16 KJV)  To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

The Living Bible combines this verse with the next and, if you carefully clip, it starts off with a warning about flattery.  It tells us that only “the wisdom from the Lord” will keep us from disaster.  Since I have never been approached by a prostitute, at least in my knowledge, I don’t need advice to avoid them but other temptations are always present.

So the heart of the reminder is still beating strong.  The best defense we have against defeat and compromise is being saturated with the things of God.  I seek that daily in Psalms and Proverbs but you can find it almost anywhere in scripture.  I say “almost” because I am currently skimming through a portion of I Chronicles which lists off the names of officials in David’s government.  I am sure that even the Holy Spirit would be challenged to find something inspiring there.

So?  Fill up your tank with God’s wisdom and drive your life for the most effective mileage.  

Does He Need to Shout?

(Pro 1:15 KJV)  My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Today I begin reading through Proverbs in the Living Bible.  Not the NLT, but the original.  I always enjoyed it and, because it admits it is a paraphrase, feel it has a place on my Bible shelf.  

Today the phrasing is slightly different.  It starts with a plea, not an order.  “Don’t do it, son!”  This tells me that God is addressing us here as adults, or at least older children, and not toddlers.  If a two year old reaches for a hot stove you might move quickly to slap his hand away or scream bloody murder to get him to stop.  If he is 25 a simple reminder that the stove has been on might be enough.

How does God talk to you?  Does He need to shout or is the still small voice enough to get your attention?

So?  Listen and apply in whatever way is necessary.  

Rejoice in the Law

(Pro 31:26 KJV)  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Two great concepts are united in this verse.  Different translations hide one or the other.  The KJV says “law” (8451) of “kindness” (2617).  The NASB says “teaching” instead of law.  If they were trying to please me that would say “law of lovingkindness”.  Let me drop in the Hebrew words and it becomes “torah of chesed”.  

Law gets a lot of bad press because of Paul reacting to Judiasers trying to push circumcision.  We forget that we also have phrases such as “law of love” and this “love of lovingkindess”.  The purpose of the law was not to lower the boom but to mold a people into a civilized society.  The character of God includes justice and holiness but also love and compassion.

So?  We need to put them together in the proper proportions.  Law gives us boundaries that keep us on track.  Kindness modifies the rules with an attitude of mercy.  Apply them both.