Focal Point

(Pro 20:22 KJV) Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

I think the focus of this verse is the same that Jesus had with His famous statement about turning the other cheek.  It is personal.  We like to take the mention of evil and say, “What about Hitler?”  or “What about the millions killed with abortion?”  The real question is, “What about my wife?” or “What about the guy in the car in front of me?”  The real concern is our day to day attempts to justify our behavior.

Have you noticed that you are just having a bad day but the other guy is a menace to society?  The answer to this is the same as it is to many questions.  Take for instance when Peter tried to begin the comparison game,

(Joh 21:21 KJV) Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Jesus told him the same thing He is telling us.

(Joh 21:22 KJV) Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

So?  The key question in the Bible is not pre-trib or post-trib.  The real question is, “What is that to thee?”  The answer is follow.  Today.   Now. 

Up for the Count

(Pro 19:20 KJV) Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Wisdom cannot change the past.  We have all done stupid and childish things.  We have made bad choices.  We have sinned.  We can’t get over it.  We are doomed to lie in the bed we made.  Then comes Jesus.  Many consequences cannot be undone.  Joni Eareckson Tada will not regain use of her entire body in this life.  Veterans of Iraq will not grow back legs.  Aborted children cannot be reclaimed.  That is the hard truth.  The glorious truth is that with grace, forgiveness and hope we can look to change the future.

Part of that change begins now.  Part will move into overdrive after the resurrection.  The great part is that we can start today.

So?  Absorb the lessons and benefit from them.  Be prepared for the New Jerusalem that is set in a new earth.  Count on it. 

Will to Hear

(Pro 18:13 KJV) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Hearing is an act of the will.  Our ears work all the time.  I can’t turn mine off.  In spite of that handicap my mind can do a good job of putting up barriers.  We hear when we want to.  I don’t know if you have ever worn hearing protection.  You see them at shooting ranges, on airplanes and I have even seen them being worn by musicians.  People who work around loud machines wear them.  One of the interesting things about them is you can still hear.  It is possible to be wearing a device designed to protect your hearing but be able to hear the person speaking next to you.  It happens because you are paying attention.

So?  This is something we can all work on.  We need to recognize there are times when it is important that we listen.  It is not easy.  It can wear us down.  It is still important. 

I Don’t Know

(Pro 17:27 KJV) He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

I think it is fairly common for us to talk too much.  People ask us a question and we feel we need to answer with more than a raised eyebrow or, “I don’t know.”  In some situations I am comfortable with that but usually I feel the person asking knows even less than I do.  In those cases I try to start with an “I don’t know, but....”  Having confessed my ignorance I then try to use what I do know to come to a logical conclusion. 

It works for me but it often does not work for the other person.  They never seem to hear the “I don’t know”.  It would probably be better to stop right after the “know” and before the “but”.

So?  Keep in mind that the person asking possibly did not want to know and won’t listen to what you have to say anyway.  In our ego we believe that people value our opinion.  Don’t count on it.  Restrain yourself. 

Off the Radar

(Pro 16:15 KJV) In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

As I general rule I think it is wise to stay off the radar of anyone who has a “king” (4428) complex.  You can avoid a lot of trouble by staying away from people who enjoy giving it.  The principle extends to anyone in a position of leadership.  This verse is positive but if you include the previous verse, take note and beware.  It can be a king, hard to find in America, or a police officer.  It can be your supervisor or the president of the HOA.  Even for the good ones you never know what there mood is.

So?  Follow that great verse in Micah 6:8,

(Mic 6:8 KJV) He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

That refers to the Almighty not the local demagog. 

Corrected Walking

(Pro 15:10 KJV) Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

With a nod to the fact that this is an Old Testament statement it still seems to be a reminder that people who are walking on “the way” (734) have the ability to “forsake” (5800a) it.  The concept is used all through Proverbs and the Old Testament.  You also find it in the New Testament in spite of those who deny it. 

We stand before God in a walk.  We are not statues touched by Midas.  We are living beings redeemed by our trust in the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  It is a journey and anyone on a journey can decide to go a different route or to a different destination.  Even people riding airplanes can leave the airport different ways or get on another flight.  God does not reject us.  We reject Him.  We do it by our disobedience and refusal to listen.

So?  It does not have to happen.  People do not “lose” their salvation.  They throw it away.  Keep active and He will strengthen your grip. 

Deny Denial

(Pro 14:32 KJV) The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Every once in awhile I come across someone who claims that the Jews did not believe in “heaven”.  By that I assume we mean an eternity with the blessings of God.  I am not sure how they work that out with verses like this. 

The afterlife exists.  It is obvious to anyone who does not start out with a need to deny it and there are people like that.  They even occupy positions as pastors and teachers of theology.  If you find yourself listening to someone like this in church or class, it is time to leave because they have nothing to say that will not be tainted by their own personal superiority to the word of God.

The afterlife for the “righteous” (6662) is a good place.  Here the word used is “hope" (refuge NASB) (2620).  I don’t think that would overlap with ideas of a holding tank eternity.  Some people claim that there is a kind of Limbo that souls go to.  This would seem to be better than that. 

So?  Certain details of the Christian faith are basic.  Embrace them and accept no substitutes.  It contributes to our strength in these strange days.