Useless

(Pro 26:7 KJV)  The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

When I read about a lame man, I tend to think of someone who is hobbling along with a cane or a walker or something like that.  They are able to get around, but it doesn’t go very well at all.  Now when I read the NASB, it tells me that the actual word for lame means hanging down, which is much more serious.  It means legs that are utterly useless.  That brings me to how Moffett translates this verse which I like,

    “Like the limbs of a lame man,
    so maxims limp on the lips of a fool;”

This tells us that wisdom is not only weakened in the hands of a fool, but is made totally useless.

So?  Don’t waste your time trying to pass on deep truths to people who are total fools.  Of course we have to be careful whom we consider fools because Jesus warned us about just casually calling people that, but at the same time Proverbs makes it very clear that some people are total fools. 

612 to Go

(Deu 16:21 KJV)  Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

You may have heard of the 613 laws that we are supposed to keep if we want to follow the law.  The number is a creation of the rabbis.  We can go into that some other time.  One of those laws is listed here.

This law says something to the effect that you are not to plant a tree in the courtyard of the temple.  Two of the lists I have state it slightly different.

    Not to plant trees near the altar.
    Not to plant a tree in the Temple courtyard

Unfortunately, that’s not what the verse actually says, either in the King James, or the New American Standard.  It is certainly not what the Hebrew says.  The word used for “grove” in the KJV is given literally in the NASB, “Asherah” (842).  It is the proper name of a deity of the area.  They are not supposed to build idols of this deity around the altar.  This is not a different law.  This is simply an application of the commandment to not make idols.

The 613 Commandment people seem to have developed their list from the Septuagint.  This is  common problem with the Rabbis and Talmud.

So?  Just because something has been passed down from centuries in the past does not make it accurate.  Keep thinking and doing your homework. 

The Way of the Law

(Psa 103:7 KJV)  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

I have commented from time to time on the lack of concern about the law in the book of Psalms.  In fact, David seems to praise the law and lift it up as a wonderful thing.  Here he gives us an interesting interpretation.  In referring to the giving of the law, he says that God was simply sharing with us His “ways” (1870).

That is an interesting way of looking at the law.  It is not a rigid cage to hold us in and make our lives difficult.  It is God showing us how He expects life to be lived.  It is an owners manual, telling us the technical details of how to maintain our piece of equipment.

So?  Why not follow the manual?  It gives us all the specifications that we really need.

BYOB

(Pro 23:21 KJV)  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Today the word that stood out to me, was “drowsiness”.  It stood out, not because of the word itself, but because of the word that Moffatt substituted for it.  He calls it reveling.  Now the word drowsy is a much better translation of the Hebrew.  One of the problems we have is this is the only place it is used in the Bible.  The word is used so that makes it hard to understand.  When he uses reveling instead of drowsy, he is taking a bit of liberty.  He is interpreting.

I like his interpretation as a rabbit trail to follow in trying to understand the dangers of alcohol.  I don’t drink myself, but I am amazed at how expensive it is when you go out to eat and they actually have a list of alcoholic beverages available.  I remember going to one nice restaurant and they had this little kiosk on the desk on the table and it was listing individual whiskeys at about $25 a glass.  How can anybody afford that kind of thing.  Anyhow, I see how drinking can drive you into poverty.  Poverty means that you’re dressed in rags.  What struck me about this was a testimony.  I heard one time of a Korean gentleman who said that when he became a Christian in Korea, his disposable income went up 75% because when he became a Christian, he quit drinking and gambling and doing other kinds of activities that tend to suck out all of his financial support.

So?  Sometimes it’s the application of the truth that brings home why we should be living holy lives.  No, you don’t go to hell for having one drink.  No, alcoholic beverages are not automatically condemned in scripture.  But, it’s clear that there is a real danger of damaging your life and your family by the wrong priorities. 

Know the Difference

(Pro 22:3 KJV)  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

As I was reading Moffatt’s translation this morning, I came across this verse, and it made me stop and think.  He starts off,

    “a cautious man sees danger and takes cover.”

That is basically the same statement, but I thought it was interesting that he use the word cover instead of hiding.  If you ever look into how to keep yourself safe out on the streets or in life, you will notice that there is a difference between cover and concealment.  Cover is going someplace where there is an obstacle between you and danger, it keeps you safe.  Concealment is simply a matter of covering up so that you can’t be seen.  It may keep you safe, it may not, it all depends on whether the person creating the problem sees you or not.

The King James has the idea of making yourself invisible.  Moffett has the idea of removing yourself from the danger and keeping yourself safe.

So?  You decide.  Do you just want to hide, or do you want safety.  When you come to Jesus, you’re not hiding, you’re finding safety.  He covers.

Does It Matter?

(Pro 21:1 KJV)  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

As I read this this morning, I found myself wondering if it made any difference whether the king was devout, or whether he was rebellious.  For some reason, I thought it would make a big difference.  In reality, God has the power to direct minds and influence decisions if He chooses to.  The question is, “Will He choose to?”

The Providence of God is always a mystery.  Sometimes He chooses to act in very obvious and powerful ways.  Other times He might decide to work quietly and behind the scenes.  I think He tends to go with the quiet more than the obvious.

So?  When you look at the political situation, and you wonder if there’s anyone in authority with moral integrity, keep in mind that God can prevail if He chooses to.  Our part in this is to lift people up in prayer and to be in contact with God Himself, so that we make sure we’re on the right side.  He is still on the throne. 

Immunity

(Psa 112:7 KJV)  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

Sometimes I think it’s a good thing that I don’t have a daily newspaper I can trust nor a source of news that I consult regularly on the Internet.  The reason I don’t is because there are so few places where you can trust what you hear or what you read.  Sometimes I think we avoid reading it because everything is bad news or as this verse says “evil tidings.  We don’t like what we hear.  It seems so negative.

That’s not healthy.  We need to keep gathering information, reading, listening, and thinking.  And we need to do it in the spirit of trust and faith in the Lord God Almighty.  As someone said, “He’s got this”.  We need to remember that we need to live in anticipation because of that.

So?  Live in boldness.  Live in confidence.  The news may be bad, but God is in the business of taking sinners and turning them into righteous believers.  You can do the same with the daily news.  

Blame Game

(Pro 19:3 KJV)  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Moffett again has an interesting interpretation.

“A man’s own folly ruins his affairs —
Then he gets angry with the Eternal!”

Think of the times you’ve been walking down a street or sidewalk and you either trip or stub your toe.  What I usually do is turn around and glare at the ground to see what the ground did to make me look like a klutz.  Most of the time I can’t find anything unusual, and if I am being honest with myself, I admit I did it.  Too often in life we are only looking for other people to blame and God seems to be a good target.

There are times when God puts difficult times in front of us, so that we can grow.  I think that most of the difficulty we have, though, comes because of our own folly.

So?  It always helps if we work on being honest with ourselves and honest with God.  It’s pointless trying to cover things with God and will help us to be honest with Him if we don’t try to cover them up to ourselves. 

Modifiers

(Pro 18:5 KJV)  It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

We need to be careful when we read the translations of more modern times.  I realize that Moffett is not really modern because it comes from the early 1900s, but compared to the King James and Geneva Bible, it is modern.  I guess it would be better to say to be careful of people who tend to paraphrase and look for cool ways of saying things.

We run into that problem in this verse with Moffett. He starts this verse off this way,

“It is not fair to favor the guilty,”

At first, I thought that sounded pretty good, but then I did a little bit of digging.  I did a search in my Bible software on the word “fair”.  It seems that the word is used in the King James only to refer to being attractive or good looking.  I may have missed a place somewhere but that seems to be what’s going on.  The concept of being fair in the sense of balance is not a Biblical concept.   We run into it a lot in our political discussions and with people who want to manipulate our system.  We might run into it in our discussions of theology, or not.

God is not concerned about being fair as we have defined it.  He is concerned about justice, truth, righteousness, and a host of other Biblical concepts rooted in His character.

So?  Make sure that you understand the meaning of words in the Bible when you try to apply them to the teachings of the Bible. 

Literal Hope

(Mat 17:18 KJV)  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

As we were looking at this verse in our Wednesday night Bible study, I noticed that the King James was much more literal than the New American Standard.  When I compare them, the final phrase in the new American standard was,

    “...and the boy was cured at once.”

The footnote for the New American Standard said it literally should be translated the way the King James has it.  Interesting.  There are times when the literal is the best.

What I didn’t see until I compared them to note the difference was that the King James brings the hope for the future.  It points out that the boy was not only healed, but he was healed from that very hour.  This tells me that it was a permanent healing, not just a psychosomatic involvement.

So?  God offers us hope for the future.  He does things in the context of history.  He does things in the context of eternal life. 

The Best Laid Plans…

(Pro 16:1 KJV)  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

I would say that Moffatt does a good job of translating, or paraphrasing, this verse.

    “A man may think what he will say, but at the moment the word comes to him from the Eternal.”

This is true in every day life but where it speaks to me most is in the area of preaching.  It is hard to express to people what preaching is like, because as much as I prepare, as carefully as I think it out, as detailed as my outline is, it’s sometimes comes out totally different.  I often say things that I had not planned on saying.  I frequently leave out things that I thought were important.  Sometimes I’m aware of the changes.  Sometimes I’m not.

You could lay this down to personality, insight, editorial changes, or anything else but when it comes to preaching, at least, I think it has to do with the leading of the Holy Spirit.  That is the way preaching should be.  We should prepare and pray and be ready.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to take our preparation and present it in His way.

So?  I guess it also applies to every day conversations.

Distillery

(Pro 15:2 KJV)  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Although both of my regular translations stated the first part of this verse well, Moffett has an interesting insight.  He says,

    “Knowledge distills from wise discourse”

What that tells me is that I can learn not just because I use knowledge myself but because I listen to others.  It means that I am capable of dialoguing with other people and gaining from their wisdom.  I process what I hear through the wealth of knowledge and experience that I have.

So?  Listen.  Think.  Remember.  And grow in wisdom.

Be an Ox

(Pro 14:4 KJV)  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Once again, Moffatt’s translation makes me sit up and take notice.  This verse starts off very simply,

    “No oxen, no corn:”

I think we often tend to overlook the people who are doing the basic tasks, but keep our lives going.  We forget to be thankful for their efforts.  What they do is not glorious. It is not sexy. But it is necessary.

It would help if we would be thankful for these people, and it might be a great thing to do to thank them for what they contribute.

So?  Maybe we should start thanking the clerks stocking the shelves in the grocery stores when we walked by.  Sure they get paid.  I also think they are unappreciated.  Perhaps the clerk behind the counter when you get a hamburger needs to be thanked for their consistency and showing up for work.  The list is endless.  Who knows, it might become a way of reaching out in evangelism.

Insight into Fear

(Pro 13:13 KJV)  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Once again, I felt like Moffett had a good insight.  He takes the second part of the verse and put a little bit different spin on it.

    “To stand in awe of God’s command is safety.”

His choice of vocabulary is totally acceptable and yet it brings a totally different view of what is being said. “Awe” , is a perfectly acceptable synonym for fear. In the same way the idea of safety instead of being rewarded is also a good idea.

So? It pays to follow God’s standards.

A Spark in the Lament

(Job 19:25 KJV)  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

(Proverbs 12 also read)

This chapter in Job is one long lament and complaint.  Repeatedly he says that God has abandoned him.  There is not a drop of joy or praise.  In spite of that we find this very familiar verse sandwiched in the middle.  It is a statement of one of the great truths.  It reflects the very name of Yahweh.  He is the great I Am.  He is the one God who lives.

That makes a difference in everything that goes on.  He’s not an empty idol.  He is not a vain wish.  He is the living God.

So?  We need to live as if we believe this.  I don’t know if your day is good or bad.  I don’t know if you are rejoicing or mourning.  But God lives.  God listens.  God loves.  Love Him back.

Interesting Interpretation

(Pro 11:16 KJV)  A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

This verse has been a head scratcher for me.  It just didn’t seem to fit together.  As I have said, I am reading Moffatt’s translation this month, and he has an interesting way of parsing it.

    “A charming woman wins respect: high-handed men win only wealth.”

The first half is fairly literal, but the second half gives a spin which I find interesting.  It is a good interpretation that makes it work together.  It is a matter of priorities and values.  Honor is higher than riches.

So? Go for the best don’t settle for the least. 

A Place to Start

(Gen 1:3 KJV)  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

As I was thinking about the attributes of God, I thought of the statement "God is light”.  That brought to mind the beginning of Genesis and the creation, and the opening words of God.  He who is light started by inserting light into the universe.  He was creating.

We think of light as being the bright thing that keeps us from stubbing our toes as we walk through the house at night.  We think of flashlights and headlights.  But the light here is more in the sense of illuminating truth, illuminating justice, and illuminating all those other important issues.  It talks about a character of God in which He rejects darkness and evil.

So?  Rejoice that we worship a god of light. 

O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

(Gen 1:1 KJV)  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This month I am reading Proverbs in the Moffatt Translation.  As my mind wandered I got to thinking about the creation account and the question of literal vs figurative.  I thought I would take a look at how Moffatt started his work.  It was interesting because he starts off with what he claims is Genesis 2:4, “This is the story of how the universe was formed.”  I am not sure what rule of translation allows you to move verses around at your convenience but that is what he did.

That was one issue but the second act was to take an ax to the root of creation.  

(Gen 1:1 Moffatt) When God began to form the universe, the world was void and vacant,...

A verse like this is to be read with discernment.  It tells you a lot about whether you can trust the basic assumptions of the translator.  According to Moffatt’s translation the universe was already in existence when God began to work.  Troubling.

So?  Don’t ever turn off your mind, even when you are reading a “Bible”.  I guess I would say, especially when you are reading a “Bible.” 

Disgusting

(Pro 8:7 KJV)  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Sometimes a different translation gives you a slightly different view of things.  This month, as I have said, I am reading in Moffatt’s translation.  The word “abomination” (8441) is very common in the Old Testament.  It tries to give us an insight for how evil God feels certain things are.  Moffatt uses the word “loath” instead of abomination.  I like that.

The idea of loathing something comes up with an attitude of disgust that I think we miss with abomination.  Abomination seems to be a higher concept than we would deal with regularly.  It is out of touch with our every day lives.  Loathing is something we can understand.  We can apply it to people we know.  We can apply it to things like liver and onions.  There are many disgusting things that we can tie to it.  We are to loath evil.

So? It’s pretty simple.  If it’s disgusting turn away. 

Perfect Fear

(Psa 101:2 KJV)  I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

The KJV uses the term perfect twice in this verse.  It uses it again later in the chapter.  In every place the New American Standard chooses a different word.  In the Hebrew all three are related going back to the same root and expressing the same idea.  We have in modern times a fear of this word “perfect”.  We avoid it when we speak in terms of theology.  We don’t mind talking about a perfect steak, but we shudder when we quote the Bible talking about perfect love.

I would suggest that instead of avoiding biblical concepts, we look a little bit deeper and try to find out what they are talking about.  It is obvious that in this case, whatever perfect means it is attainable.

So?  Work on that part of your life which is supposed to be perfect and accept the fact that David was at least as smart as you are and knew that in a very real sense perfection was impossible.  He still talked about it.  Join him.  Go for it.

New Names

(Pro 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I am reading this month in the James Moffatt translation.  One of the quirks I noticed at the very beginning was that he chose a unique word for the personal name of God, Yahweh.  In the NASB and KJV it is designated by all capitals, LORD.  I noticed that one of the current translations, the Legacy Standard Bible, transliterates it as Yahweh.  I like that.  Moffatt has chosen to translate it “the Eternal”.  I think that is acceptable.  It misses the personal aspect that the Hebrew conveys but it works as long as you are paying attention.

So?  When you are bored, consider what it means to be eternal. 

Patience

(Psa 95:10 KJV)  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

As I continue to think about patience, God speaks to me.  He reminds me of why the generation was wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  They were wandering in the wilderness because they were afraid to go into the promised land.  They were worried.  They were not willing to trust.  As a result, they wandered.

As I look at the news and listen to what’s happening in the world, I see evil on a rampage.  I see death and destruction everywhere.  I see government forces out to destroy the people of the country.  I wonder when they’re coming for me.  At that point God slaps me upside the head and says “When have I ever let you down?”

So?  God continues to be patient with me.  I need to trust in him.  The future is in his hands just as the past was in his hands. 

Moving

(Psa 93:1 KJV)  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

This is a good illustration of what it means to be either literal or figurative.  Notice the last word “moved” (4131).  Just what does that mean?  It would seem obvious but not if you think about it.

If you look at this literally, then it means that the Earth is stationary in space.  It does not move at all.  That would rule out rotation and revolution.  It would insist on the universe revolving around the Earth instead of the Earth moving through space.  We know that is not the case.

It is not hard to consider that this means that the Earth is stable and is not going to be jerked around by every little dictator that walks down the aisle.  With what we know about science now, the literal interpretation is nonsense and the figure of speech is powerful.

So?  Read the Bible as it was intended to be read.  Don’t be afraid to change your understanding as your knowledge of the world increases.  God will not be threatened by a deeper understanding of the universe He created. 

Coup

Proverbs 3:25 (KJV) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

We live in a time of uncertainty.  Many are afraid of what is happening politically and how our republic is falling apart.  All of that may be true, but we need to be reminded that our confidence and our trust is not in the government or even the constitution, but in our God.

I like the use of the word “desolation” in the King James Bible.  Really, it is what we are afraid of.  We worry about the unknown desolation that may descend upon our country if things fall apart.  Fear not, it won’t be the first time.  Israel has gone through this many times.  The people of God have gone through this many times.

We are still here.

This may not be a guarantee of your safety.  It may not mean that your bank account survives.  But it does assure you that God has you in His hand.

So?  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.

Second or Third Person

(Psa 91:2 KJV)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

This is an interesting place to compare the King James Bible to the New American Standard Bible.  If you have a King James, you will notice that the words “he is” is not in the original language because it is shown in italics.  When you compare the New American Standard, you find that it is written in second person, as if the author is speaking to God.  The King James is third person where he is speaking about God.

While this difference does not reflect anything about the nature of God, it does make it more personal when you were directly addressing Him rather than talking about Him.  One is a praise, one is a witness.

So?  Rejoice in the flexibility of the Scriptures.  Think about what it says.  Think about the possible application and enjoy the different rabbit trail that leads you down. 

Numbering

(Psa 90:12 KJV)  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

What does it mean to “number our days?  I don’t think it just means counting how many days we have until the weekend.  I don’t think it means to sit around wondering how old we’re going to be before we die.  I don’t think it has to do with counting in any way.

I think it may have more to do with putting things in order such as numbering our tasks for the day.  I think there’s also the idea of setting priorities.  What is the first thing I will do today?  What is the last thing I will do today?

Setting our priorities may be one of the most important things we do in a day.

So?  What does God have for me today?  Where will I invest my energy?  There are only so many hours in my day.  There are only so many days in my life.  I need to use them wisely.

Cross References

(Pro 30:4 KJV)  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

This verse should bring a number of other scriptures to mind.  The first part is reflection of the conversation God has with Job.  It is used to remind you about who God is.  Strangely enough, we have reference to His name.  That refers to another place where God and Moses were having a discussion, and the name of the Yahweh comes up.

So far any upstanding young Jew would know what is going on.  So far it’s clear.  And then you throw in this bit about the name of His Son.  His Son?  God has a Son?  That doesn’t make sense to the average Jew.  But it makes sense to the average Christian.

So? Are we dealing here with the Trinity?  Are we dealing with something we’ve never heard of before?  Isn’t it amazing the things that you find when you read and pay attention? 

Ultimately

(Pro 29:16 KJV)  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

In the circles I run in there is a lot of concern about what is happening in our country and in our world.  Things do not look like they are going well.  It looks like the forces of evil are on the advance and attacking.  What is worse is they seem to be winning.  What are we to do?

Notice the two words here, first “multiplied” (7235a), and then “increase”(7235a) in the KJV, then “increase” twice in the NASB.  That doesn’t sound good for our side.  But then noticed the last part:  We will see their “fall” (4658).

So?  Continue to trust.  Continue to live in a righteous way.  Continue to do justice, love, kindness, and walk humbly with your God.  He is watching more carefully than we are. 

Riots

(Pro 28:7 KJV)  Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

I continue to ask myself what is this law that was talked about in the Old Testament.  What is this body of rules that David praises up one side and down the other and that much of the Psalms think of as being glorious and grand?  I think this verse gives us an indication of the kind of standards that are being talked about when they mention the law.

Paul seems to be concerned about picky, little nonsense rules, like boiling a kid in its mothers milk.  The Old Testament seems to be concerned about the moral and ethical standards portrayed by the law.  Notice here the wise son is not the one who does not mix the material in his coat, but one who does not participate in loose living.

So?  Think about what you read.  Think about all that you read, not just the quotations from Paul that support you’re theological system.  The Bible should interpret itself.  Paul is an inspired writer, true.  However, we need to understand that David and Solomon, and the other authors of the Old Testament were also inspired writers. 

Which came first?

(Gen 1:1 KJV)  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This makes me think of that old question of which came first the chicken or the egg.  In this case, however, it’s a question of what was in God’s mind first, the world or man.  If you are familiar with the discussion of intelligent design, and the fine-tuning of the universe, it would seem that everything was put together with the idea is it man would come along.  That would also fit with the nature of God and the fact that he doesn’t do things by chance, or accidentally.

Keep in mind that man was told to subdue and cultivate the Earth.  It was not ready out of the box, some assembly required.  Which again brings up the question of which was created for the other.  Or I guess it could be that both were created with the same goal in mind.

So? Keep in mind that you are here for a reason.  God had a plan and still has a plan that’s bigger than just you or me.  I’m glad to know that there’s something more going on than me getting the lawn mowed. 

June Fool’s Day

(Pro 26:1 KJV)  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

Now begins an extended statement about fools.  We know that Jesus told us not to call people fools.  We know that there can be a real attitude problem on our part for calling people fools.  Yet this chapter focuses on the reality of fools.

Might I suggest that a little bit of thought could go into making sure that we do not fit into this category.  We know that things need to begin with a fear of God.  Wisdom begins with the fear of God.  Knowledge begins with the fear of God.  I’m sure that we could add a lot more areas to our life that need the influence of the fear of God.

So?  Are you a fool?  Am I a fool?  Don’t answer that.  Actually, you can answer that.  As long as you don’t type it in the comments, I will never know.  I would hope that I am fearing God enough to be grounded in wisdom and knowledge.  I would hope that the love of Christ will control me.  The adventure continues. 

Majesty

(Psa 89:12 KJV)  The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

I am guessing that this idea of creating the directions to the north and south is a word picture, and an illustration of a great greatness of God.  That would make sense.  But that brings up the question of whether something is good because God declares it that way or whether God declares it good because it is that way.

Do virtues and principles and, as it’s given here, directions exist outside of God or are they the result of God.  Christian believers of course would say that nothing exists outside of God.  That would mean that North and south are arbitrary creations of Him.

Even there you have to be careful.  Is anything arbitrary in the sight of God?

So?  It’s always good to stop and think about what we read.  God is worthy of our contemplation, meditation, and our love. 

Generic

(Pro 24:1 KJV)  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

The first verse of this chapter sets the mood for the rest.  Here Solomon has a lot to say about the “evil” (7463a) “men” (376) that are so common in our world.  I would like to say “in our modern world” but this was written thousands of years ago and has remained true on a daily basis.  

It is interesting that in this location the actual Hebrew for “man” is used.  Often the “man” is understood and the comment would be more about generic evil.  

So?  Just another reminder that we do not live in a benevolent world.  Keep in mind that it is out to get you and your greatest protection is the presence of the Living God residing in your heart.

Aliens

(1Pe 1:1 KJV)  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

(Proverbs 23 also read)

When Peter writes to a certain group of people who are located in what is today Turkey, they become the strangers in the King James Bible, and “aliens” in the New American Standard.  This is a good reminder to us that we are not supposed to fit into our world.  We are called to a higher calling.  We need to remember that.

Remember this song?

This world is not my home
I’m just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue.

So?  We should keep this in mind.  This is just a temporary home that we live in.  God has called us to be witnesses, salt, light, but not monuments. 

Tree crimes

(Rom 5:8 KJV)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

“Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree?”  It was.  And the song goes on to proclaim “Amazing love, how can it be...”  What a joy it is that we live in a day and an age where we can know that God loves us so much that He not only created us, but He died for us.

You may be a bit down today.  You may be looking at some struggles you’re having.  You may have been rejected in a personal relationship.  Look up.  Jesus died for you.  You are now called to live for him.  And he doesn’t want you living like you’re committed to tree crying.

Show? He died so that you can rejoice in your salvation. 

A Reminder

(1Co 15:19 KJV)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

The resurrection of Jesus is a key element, not only in our lives, but in the life of the world.  If there is no resurrection, there is no hope.  If there is no eternal life then this life becomes nothing but the accident the evolutionists believe in.  If there is nothing but this life, then we need to adopt  the motto of that beer company, that said, “You only go round once in life, grab for all the gusto you can.”

What a futile and frustrating way to live. It brings to mind that song, “Is that all there is, then let’s keep dancing.”

So? Rejoice. We have a hope that is not just an empty wish, but it is a fulfilling promise. We have an assurance. We are definitely not miserable. 

Go Deep

(Pro 20:5 KJV)  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

As I read this verse this morning, my mind went to the soup pot.  I thought of how I go about filling my bowl when I presented with a large container and a dipper.  I don’t skim the top, unless I just want water.  I dig down deep with the ladle, stir around a bit, and come up with what has set up residency in the bottom.

How I go about it depends on what I’m looking for.  If I just want the big chunks of meat or of fish or whatever the primary ingredient is, I dig straight down and bring up the bottom.  If I want a well-balanced bowl of soup or chili I stir it around, dig deep to get a good portion of the solids, but bring up a good amount of liquid with it.

God constantly tries to give us counsel.  He tries to teach us.  It takes us digging down.  It takes us going into the deep water and trying to draw out what God has to say to us.  We need to go for it.

So?  It’s sometimes expected that God will give us an easy answer.  That’s for the crisis, for the emergency.  Generally speaking, we need to dig and then expect God to meet us. 

The Pause That Depresses

(Psa 88:11 KJV)  Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

What a depressing chapter in Psalms.  If you look one chapter back or one chapter forward, you find the expected joy in the Lord.  This chapter is nothing but gloom and doom.  It’s as if this writer has never heard of eternal life.  It’s as if he’s never heard any hope beyond the grave.  It’s very possible that that’s the case.

Some people debate whether eternal life was a reality to people in the Old Testament.  You can find evidence on both sides.  This would be evidence that people did not believe in an afterlife, or at least one that had any joy in it.  What a depressing way to live.

So?  We live in a different world.  We live not only having read the positive statements in the Old Testament, but also understanding who Jesus was and how He rose from the dead.  We have the testimony of Paul about our new bodies.  Truly, it is a joy to have the full testament of God. 

Joy for Trouble

(Psa 86:7 KJV)  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

There are days when I need a verse like this.  Do you know what I’m talking about?  Now, I must say, today is not one of them, but it is so good to be reminded of how dependable our God is.

Maybe we also need to remember that we don’t just need to call upon God in our time of trouble.  That’s what it says here but, I somehow think that God really enjoys it when we call upon him in our blessings.

So?  Are you blessed today or are you troubled today? One thing, never changes, God loves it when his people call upon His name.  I’m not sure which He enjoys more, the trust we expressed in our need or the lovely expression of joy. 

The Original Zionist

(Psa 87:2 KJV)  The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

There are ideas expressed in the Bible that make no sense to me.  This is one of them.  Why would God be specifically attached to one point of geography?  What is the big deal about Zion (6726)?  Zion can be used as a figurative label for the nation of Israel.  It can refer to the mountain top.  Here it refers to a city, which encompasses the other two ideas.  

The word itself comes from a root meaning “dry or parched”.  That is not much of a recommendation of an explanation.  

Is there some mystical force that is centered there other than the presence of God?  Is there a mystical force there because God chose it as the place to build His temple?  I remember years ago on a trip to Europe I woke up on the train as we were approaching Rome.  I saw aqueducts arrayed outside the windows.  I am not known for my sensitivity but I felt an almost physical force as we approached.  I wonder if I would feel the same about Jerusalem.

So?  Mysteries abound.  Enjoy them.  Research and think about them.  Don’t let them distract you from the hope that is already in you.

Decision Day

(Pro 16:16 KJV)  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

As I read through this chapter today the word “priorities” kept popping into my mind.  I don’t know that the word is used but the idea is there.  In this verse the comparison of worth is between “wisdom” (2451) and “gold”, also “understanding” (998) and “silver”.  Other verses make other contrasts.

We make many decisions each day.  Obviously they are not all of equal importance but all of them are based on previous experience and a set of priorities.  Even picking out my socks is based on whether I can live with holes today.  Some days it is important, others, not so much.  Clothing choices have priorities of how much we care about the opinions of others.  Shopping may depend on attitudes of stewardship and thrift.  How we treat people in our lives depends on whether we have been listening to God.

So?  Do you ever make choices or respond in ways that surprise you?  Maybe it is time to consider priorities in light of that action. 

Pour Choices

(Pro 15:2 KJV)  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

I usually don’t find literal translations in my KJV but today was an exception.  When I read the marginal note for “spouts” (5042) I laughed out loud.  It said the Hebrew means “belch or bubbles”.  What a statement for the products of a foolish mouth and mind.  They tend to think they are clever, or at least cute.  Have you been around boys in that age range who think it is funny to belch at social occasions?  Perhaps you have been a judge of a belching contest.  Perhaps you have been a contestant.

I am sure that childhood pranks are fun.  There comes a time though when we need to stop paying attention.  

So?  Grow up and help others grow up.  Good humor does not need to be foolish. 

Everywhen

(Psa 84:1 KJV)  To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

We spend millions designing and building church buildings.  Historically they were works of art and the results of years of devotion and hard work.  Buildings for worship were expected to glorify God and lift our physical senses into the heavenlies.  Or at least we used to be concerned with that.  Today it seems that any warehouse will do as long as you have a professional level set of speakers, some bright spot lights and maybe a fog machine.

I have no problem at all with people who meet in their homes or a gym they can afford to rent.  Often that is the best you can do.  Many times it is a statement of our sense of the divine along with the torn fashion jeans of the preacher and the brand name coffee cups in the pews.

Although this verse praises the place of worship as being “lovely” (3039) I think the real sentiment is expressed because of the presence of God, not the gold on the altar.  In fact the word for “lovely” is usually translated “lovable” or “beloved”.

So?  We can worship anywhere God is willing to meet us.  Great architecture can help but He is willing to join us anywhere we are that our hearts are right.  May you have joyful worship, everywhere and every when.

About Face

(Psa 73:17 KJV)  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

If you read the first half of this Psalm, you find nothing but despair.  The author looks at the prosperous lives of the wicked and wonders.  Where is God?  Then he comes into the sanctuary and everything is refocused and put in a different order.

Why do we come to worship?  Obviously we come to praise God, and to lift him up.  But in addition to that there is the presence of God speaking to us, and opening our eyes to eternity, and to what God has planned for us and for His world.  When we come to worship, when we come into the sanctuary, in our day and age, when we attend church, things look different.

Is it just appearance?  Is it just our imagination?  Is it just our feelings?  No, God simply makes us more aware of who He is and what He is doing.

So? Don’t abandon the means of grace that are extended to us by coming to the sanctuary and worshiping the living God.  He will meet with us.  He will speak to us.  He will help us to see things as they are, and not as we feel them to be.

A Resource

(Psa 83:17 KJV)  Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

I would say that the forces of evil or justice are today as they were in the time of the Psalms.  I’m not sure I would say more active, but they are certainly busy persecuting and holding down the people of God.  At this point, they tend to have the forces of the government and the media and education behind them.  All we have of course, is our God.

That should be enough.  It is enough.  We need to pray for our government and be supportive of our government, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t ask God to confound them and trouble them so they would be full of shame and ready to obey.

So? Our concerns should start with prayer.  Our hope is in Christ and in the God of eternity, not in our political savvy. 

Joyful ignorance

(Psa 71:15 KJV)  My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

What a great joy it is to know that we can never even begin to approach the blessings that God has for us.  Here David, or whoever is writing this Psalm, is rejoicing, in the fact that he can speak about the righteousness of God.  He can talk about his salvation.  And yet he admits his ignorance about how glorious and how eternal this is.

That’s where we should be. We should be rejoicing in what we do know, and getting excited about the things that we do not know.  And I might say that we don’t know yet, or I might even say that we will never comprehend the total of what God has for us.

So?  Are you living in joy?  Are you living in ignorance?  I am living in joyful ignorance, content in what I do know now and the Person that I know forever. 

Father Mold

(Pro 10:1 KJV)  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

As I read this this morning, I knew that I was not reading what it actually said.  There was some thing about what I was hearing in my head that just didn’t ring true, so I looked again.  What I was hearing was that a wise son would grow up to be a glad father.  Actually the statement is a little bit different than that so take it with a grain of salt.  Consider it a preaching point.  I think it is spiritualizing.  I still think there’s some truth in it.

If we are wise fathers, then we will raise wise children.  At least I hope that’s true.  At any means having a son brought up wise, will certainly make me as a glad father.

So?  Learn to be wise.  Set an example.  You may produce a wise son, which will certainly make you glad.

A Big Question

Psalms 8:4 (KJV) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

I am sure we have all heard this question asked.  Have we ever really gotten an answer?  I start asking this question when I read the creation story and see that we are created in the image of God.  What does that mean?  Why were we created?

If you look at this chapter, you don’t find an answer.  Does that mean that we quit asking?  No, I don’t think so.  I think we continue wondering.  We continue thinking about the glory of God and his creative power.  He made us as a group the way we are.  He molded us as individuals as we respond to Him.

So?  Seek him daily.  Listen.  Respond.  Be the answer to the big question. 

Worldwide

(Pro 8:16 KJV)  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Is there a body of knowledge which we call wisdom that is available through the entire earth, even to those who don’t know the God of the Bible?  This verse would seem to imply that.  This talks about judges of the Earth.  Now, princes and nobles might just refer to Israel, but when you say all the judges of the Earth, you go beyond those borders.

Is wisdom cross-cultural?  Is it something that God has placed in the hearts of all men?

So? There a certain principles that seem to be universal.  That should be something that makes us get along better with those who disagree with us on specifics. 

Choice ignorance

Proverbs 7:7 (KJV) And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

As I watch a lot of the political theater going on today, one of the things that stands out is the total lack of knowledge in the lives of people who are making big statements.  Much of that is because their teachers deliberately brainwashed them and kept them ignorant.  We can’t over emphasize the damage done by these people.  But there is another aspect and that is the matter of choice.

I would say that a lot of the ignorance we see is the ignorance of choice and the ignorance of sloth.  I see this because in conversations people seem to be totally unaware of what’s happening.  People don’t pay any attention to the news.  Or even worse, they only get their news from sources that are totally untrustworthy.  It is possible to get a feel for truth and for what’s happening but you have to look for it.  You have to think about what you’re reading.  You have to take it and compare it too what you already know.

So?  Don’t ignore your own responsibility for your spiritual knowledge and your spiritual life.  Part of being created in the image of God is having free will and being able to reason and to work with information.  It involves making choices.  God makes it possible it’s up to us to apply it. 

Long term

(Psa 66:12 KJV)  Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

Here we see both sides of the coin.  On the one side we have those times of life where it seems nothing is going to go right.  Who has not felt at times that they are going through the fire. Who is not felt like the water is over their head.

But always consider the promise.  God is going to bring us out.  It doesn’t matter how dark, dreary, hot, wet.  God will see us through.  It’s possible that he will see us through in eternity, we need to consider that.  That is not a cop out.  That is simply seeing things as they are.

So?  Are you in the fire today or are you on your way out?  Either way, you can know that God is aware of your situation and is in charge. 

Because I Say So

Acts 10:15 (KJV) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

This brings to mind the creation story.  God would produce something new and at the end of the day he would announce that it was good.  Was it good because God created it or was it good because God declared it?  Well, that is a philosophy question for another day.  The point I’m making is that God declared his creation good.  Everything he made was good before sin messed it up.

We need to look at the world around us, and realize that God created it as good.  Part of our job, given during creation, is to subdue the world.  That has even more meaning now, after the fall, than it did before.

So? Get with the program.  Start improving your world.  Start with yourself. 

Pick a Path

(Pro 4:14 KJV)  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

The Hebrew used here for “path” (734) is used again in verse 18.  It is common in Proverbs.  The difference in this chapter is the type of path you will follow.  Here the warning is against following evil.  In verse 18 it talks about the path of justice.  When you look at a new born baby one of the questions is, which path will they take.  Even at that tender stage of life it seems like different infants are inclined different ways.  If you have two children you have probably noticed that they are individuals from the beginning.  Life will be full of choices.

The similarity in these verses is that your path is a matter of choice.  Although some are inclined toward a more evil path than others the Bible teaches that salvation is open to all.

So?  I assume you have made your choice.  Are you happy with it?  Are you helping the young in your life to make an intelligent and informed choice.  I guess we do so even if we are not aware of it. 

Law of the Heart

Proverbs 3:1 (KJV) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

I think it’s important for us to consider what David is saying here, actually, it’s Solomon.  He is telling us that the law is important.  He is telling us that the commandments are important.  He is telling us to obey the commandments.  But notice the place that these demands are to be retained, in your heart.

Ultimately God‘s law is to be hidden in our hearts.  It is to reform and renew our hearts.  It is to come from our inner being and not from our outer reading.  God wants to live inside of us and He wants to do that in a way that we can work with him and be obedient to him, and let the glory of His presence shine forth.

One way in which we can witness to a pagan world is to allow the standards of a holy God be real in our lives.

So?  Internalize it.  Let it fill you.  And let it guide you.

Security

(Psa 62:2 KJV)  He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

Once again, I want to note that in this chapter of Psalms, David does not mention the law.  He does not mention ritual or sacrifice.  Look through the entire chapter.  You see reference after reference about his trust in God, and his faith in God, and the place of God, Himself, in our worship and trust.  You see nothing about the law.

Many people want to make the Old Testament about the law and the New Testament about grace and faith.  I would suggest that they might need to do a little bit more reading in Psalms and find out how David viewed God and salvation.

So? Trust. 

Yard Work

Psalms 72:6 (KJV) He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

Who would’ve ever thought that the Bible would talk about yardwork.  Here it is.  It is equating the blessings of having a righteous ruler.  With refreshing rain.  Coming down upon a newly mowed yard.  I don’t think I’ve seen that before.  It was there.  I just didn’t see it.

I don’t know that this is a command that we are supposed to get out and mow our grass.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see it being used in an advertising campaign for some lawnmower company.  It certainly could be used by your wife.

So?  The Bible really does talk about every area of life. 

Negative Pluses

(Psa 119:75 KJV)  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

We generally think of affliction in a negative way.  We tie it to punishment in our minds.  Since that may be the reason we are going through hard times we need to consider that.  It may also simply be something we need to go through to mature or to set an example for someone else.  The point being made here is that God has a reason for the difficulties we go through.  We may not understand it but we need to believe it.

So?  That is part of what it means to live by faith.  In a time of persecution do a prayerful review and see if this is a correction or a statement of His confidence in you.

Confusion

Psalms 70:2 (KJV) Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

As I sit here, I can’t remember where I heard it, but it seems to me that there was a general, or some kind of army man who would pray for confusion on his enemies.  We tend to think of this as our enemies but if you read the entire verse, it’s a little more focused than that.  The enemy he is talking about is the enemy who is after his soul.  It’s not just people that want to hurt him, to take his money or to break his arm, but people who want to condemn him to hell.

So?  We can be free to pray confusion and backwardness on people who are our enemies, but we need to keep in mind that the qualification is that they are spiritual enemies not just the guy in the next class who’s trying to date the girl that we like. 

Evil is persistent

(Psa 64:6 KJV)  They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

I have looked at numerous passages in Proverbs that tend to point out how tenacious the evisl in our world are.  One place in Proverbs says they can’t even sleep at night if they have not done something evil.  Here we see a similar thought.  Here it points out that they are “diligent” (2664).  It’s not just casual.  It’s not just their spare time.  They search for things to do that are evil.

This is not something where we need to sit around worrying.  It is simply a point that we need to be aware of, and do not ignore or deny.  We continue to trust.  We continue to know that God is in charge.  But we also admit that there are those who totally reject who He is and what He wants out of us.

So?  Again, trust and obey.  God has your back.  Of course they would like to stab you there too but God is alert and on guard. 

Locked in?

Psalms 58:3 (KJV) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Psalms 58:10 (KJV) The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

I find myself troubled by verse three.  It almost seems like some people are per-destined to live in wickedness.  In fact, that’s what it says.  Now the commentators use this to say that we are all born in sin and we are all wicked which I agree with, but that’s not what’s being said there.  This is a certain group.  When you go down further to verse 10 you find that there are those who are righteous.

Are we locked in from birth, or is it just an indication that it is more difficult for some to come to the Lord than others?

So?  I choose to believe that even those who start out evil can be redeemed.  They may not want it and that would settle it but they have a chance.

Literalism Awards

(Pro 27:7 KJV)  The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

The New American Bible gets the award for literalism today.  It has us “trampling” (947) on the honey instead of “loathing” it.  That word is what got my attention.  What makes the difference between rejecting and desiring a bit of food, or many other areas of our lives?  It often comes down to our inner attitude.

Do you laugh at other people’s jokes?  Have you ever noticed that you laugh when one person makes a comment but the same words from someone else will get your hackles up?  It isn’t the words.  It is the attitude.  We assume it is the other person’s attitude but in reality it may be ours.  This is why we are told to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.  It is why we are to forgive seven times seventy.  It is why a marriage based on the love and grace of God has so much more chance than the generic pagan match-up.

So?  It is always a good time for an attitude check.  It is always a good time to build our foundation of knowledge about God and His standards.  Learn and apply.  Today is a good day to start. 

Trust

Psalms 56:11 (KJV) In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

In this entire Psalm, I don’t see any reference to the law.  I see a lot of concerns that David has about his security, and about his fears.  I see no solution found in the law.  What I see, is David expressing his trust in God.  It is so easy for us to rely on formulas and doctrines instead of having a real living trust in a real living God.  

We live in exciting and interesting times.  That means it is easy to find something to fear.  We need to keep asking ourselves that second question.

So?  Notice the similarity to the phrase on our money.  Maybe it would help if we spent time reading our one dollar bills. 

Not You

(Pro 25:24 KJV)  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

This was a good verse to come across for me today.  I won’t go into details but it was one of those days and the sun wasn’t even up.  Turning the other cheek sometimes means retreating as far as you can from conflict.  I will concede that at times be must stand and deliver but usually we are reacting in anger instead of responding with love and righteousness.  

People who are closest can be the most irritating.  I find that a solid time of worship makes it more bearable.  It also reminds me that I need to make sure that I am not the one doing the irritating.

So?  Remember that old saw about the pointed finger that leaves three more pointing back at you?  Don’t get on guilt trips and think it is always that way.  Sometimes it is the other person, but we need to be open to being honest ourselves. 

The Threat of Fret

(Pro 24:19 KJV)  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

The New American Bible has an interesting way of expressing the first part of this verse,

“Be not provoked with evildoers,...”

The reason this is interesting is because it brought to mind the verse in the Love Chapter which says, “love is not provoked”.  I have always thought of that in the context of people I cared about.  That is where I spend most of my time.  This reminds me that agape is to be expressed to everyone, not just to family.

We are surrounded by a culture that is offensive. I am constantly grinding my teeth at actions of the government and other visible power brokers.  It is easy to wish violence on them.  We are not to be provoked.

So?  This does not mean accept the evil activities.  It means that we are not to get so stoked up that we lose control. 

Torpor

(Pro 23:21 KJV)  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

As I read the New American Bible it used a word for “drowsiness” (5124) that I recognized but don’t use often.  The word was “torpor”.  I think that is a much better word.  I have been struggling with torpor.  I am not depressed.  I am not unaware.  I am in a malaise that keeps me from being productive.  The context here was too much food and too much wine.  A few days ago I tried to only eat when I was hungry.  I was coming to the conclusion that gluttony was dulling my mind.  So far it is making a difference.  This verse reinforces the idea.

It may not last but I am dividing my eating into three categories.  Two are positive:  hunger and feasting.  Feasting is Biblical and a part of the fellowship of family and church.  The other is appetite.  Someone like me cannot respond to our appetite.

So?  Three days do not a principle verify but I am going to work with it.  It might work for me and be totally useless to you.  May God direct you as you deal with your weak points. 

A Word of Caution

(Pro 22:19 KJV)  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

I am reading this month in the New American Bible.  This verse reminds me of one reason why it is somewhat helpful to look at other translations.  One of the lessons you learn is to not trust translations that are made by questionable translators.  Let me give you the translation of this verse from the NAB,

“That your trust may be in the Lord,
I make known to you the words of Amen-em-Ope”

What?  Excuse me?  I have searched in vain in my resources to find out where this came from.  The NAB has a marginal note which just confuses the issue even more.  

It does not hurt you to read Bibles written by people with an agenda as long as you compare them to more reliable texts.  This is where the KJV can come in handy.  Even if you don’t understand its archaic language at times, it still gives you a sense of truth.

So?  Seek truth not denominational oddities.  Rest assured truth can be found but I would not recommend the NAB as your go-to. 

Bubble Translation

(Pro 21:6 KJV)  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

As I said earlier, I am reading the New American Bible this month.  It is the official translation into English of the Roman Catholic Church.  I have various reasons for reading different versions of the Bible.  One of them is to determine if they are word for word translations or more along the line of a paraphrase.  Although there are aspects of the word for word in the NAB, today tells me it has the spirit of paraphrase also.  That can be thought provoking but is not good if you are looking for accuracy and truth.  This verse reads like this,

(Pro 21:6 NAB)  He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue
    is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.

A colorful picture to be sure but not quite what the text says.

So?  Read the word.  Feel free to look at paraphrases, but I would caution you to always compare it to something more accurate.  You may get a great insight.  You may miss the truth.

Stone Justice

(Pro 20:10 KJV)  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

As I read this today I reflected on what I see happening in our judicial system.  I see judges and district attorneys who have a political agenda that must be achieved no matter how the law is twisted the the process perverted.  People accused of murder and other violent crimes are released with little penalty.  People who anger the elites with what would be minor infractions spend months and years in jail.  This is a case of “divers weights”.  The literal translation would be a “stone and a stone”.  It implies that the merchant has two different sets of weights for the balance beam scale.   

So?  As Christians we must stand up for the rule of law.  The artistic depiction of Justice has her blindfolded.  The balance on the scale is a matter of physics.  Ours is a matter of divine truth.  Keep in mind it goes both ways.  Don’t start doing it their way. 

Not location

(Psa 63:2 KJV)  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

As I read this, I needed to think a little bit.  David is talking about being in the sanctuary, but the temple has not been built yet, not even close.  He must be talking about the tabernacle.

Although the tabernacle was built to God’s specifications, I somehow don’t think about it being awe inspiring.  I think about a hot enclosure.  It smells like canvas and is on uneven ground.  Yet in spite of this, David is able to worship God’s glory.  It is more important to be aware of God, and to be in His presence than it is to have a specific spot that is architecturally beautiful.

So? Worship where you are.  It is not always location, location, location.  It is always person, person, person. 

Except

Psalms 127:1 (KJV) [[A Song of degrees for Solomon.]] Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

Noticed what this does not say.  It does not say, “Take a nap under the tree and expect God to build the house”.  It does not say, “Don’t bother posting guards”.  Both are expected, but they are empty gestures unless God is involved in it.

Too often we are looking for excuses for our sloth.  We forget that sloth is one of the seven deadly sins.  We confuse the truth that we cannot work our way into salvation with the need to work.

So?  Trust.  Believe.  Get busy.

A Pause to Think

(Psa 47:1 KJV)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

This is a good place to stop and think about interpreting scripture.  If you look at this verse and the next you see a clear declaration to “all” (3605) “peoples” (5971a).  Both of these are incredibly common words and they mean exactly what they say.  This is a declaration to all men, everywhere, to rejoice in the Lord.  Of course that assumes that you know who the Lord is and believe in Him.

If you drop down to verse 3 you see a different message.  That part is targeted only on the nation of Israel and probably only in the time of the monarchy.  It is not a universal proclamation.  That should be relatively obvious but it is a thought that often passes me by.

So?  Read with your mind turned on.  If it goes into automatic then expect to be surprised next time you read something. 

Relax

(Psa 46:10 KJV)  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

We are to "cease" (7503) striving.  The KJV says, "Be still."  The margin in the NASB says to "let go, relax."  The idea here seems to be to admit our inadequacy and allow things to fall into God's hands.  Anxiety shows a lack of trust.  We may have an initial concern but after a chance to have the Holy Spirit speak to us, we should be able to let go.

Note in the context of the verse all of the events that are listed.  The author had many good reasons for being crippled with worry.  Yet he reminds us to not be consumed with anxiety.

So?  Relax.  Easy to say.  Hard to do.  Still the best route to follow. 

Defining Grace

Luke 2:40 (KJV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

One of the great concepts of the Bible is grace.  We tend to toss it around without thinking.  We talk about being saved by grace.  Theologically we hear “grace alone”.  I have often heard it defined as “undeserved favor”.  I do not like that definition because it is more of a theological definition than a Biblical statement.  Consider this verse.  This does not fit the definition of grace being undeserved favor.  

I prefer a definition that says grace is “God’s love in action”.  That goes well with this verse.  Keep in mind that you don’t need to accept my definition or anyone else's.  Read your Bible and let God give you a better definition to share with us.

So?  I always loved the Biblical greeting that included grace and peace.

Love Is Today

(1Co 13:7 KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This is a verse in the middle of the Love Chapter that roles off the tongue so fast that I often don’t stop to think about it.  As I was thinking about love not being provoked on another post, my mind went down to this verse.  This speaks about the process of not being provoked.  Notice that this verse begins with bearing all things and ends with enduring all things.  These are two very important aspects of what love is.

We are to love even when others don’t have a clue to what love is.  Love is not romance.  Love is not feelings.  Love is not never having to say you’re sorry.  It is making allowance and desiring the best for everyone involved.

So?  Implement.  Start right now.

Hunger Pangs

Proverbs 13:4 (KJV) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

One of the reasons that we feel hunger is that we have not been eating.  Sometimes that is just a natural cycle of life.  In fact, when it comes to food, that’s probably the way it should be.  But in our spiritual walk, the same principle applies.  One reason we are hungry and feeling an emptiness towards God is because we have not been spending enough time with him.

So? Don’t wait until you get starved.  Don’t wait until you have an overwhelming hunger.  Maybe grazing is the thing you should be doing when it comes to the Lord and worship.

Surprise

(Psa 55:16 KJV)  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Here we are in the middle of the book of Psalms.  All right, you are a legalist.  We are one-third of the way through.  Are we reading about the law?  Are we getting doom and gloom from one of the prophets?  Are we trying to figure out if Revelation is literal or figurative?  None of the above.  We are being reminded about the need to be saved.

While it might seem safe to think David is just talking about being pulled out of a battle or palace intrigue if you look in the previous verse he is addressing concerns about death and hell.  I would assume that you once had concerns about that, maybe more than once.  I would hope you trusted in Jesus and got it settled.  If not, there is never a better time than now.

So?  So many truths bring different responses.  When I read this I rejoice.  At one time in life it confronted me with the awareness of my eternal destiny.  Read and consider.  Rejoice, weep or call. 

Old Grace

Psalms 40:6 (KJV) Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

The Bible is a whole.  It has consistent root ideas that might be filled out by the revelation of time, but the basics are the same.  Here we see the roots of grace.  God is speaking.  Notice what he confesses God does not “desire” (2654a).  God’s goal is not the rituals of the law.  They had a place but they were a means to an end.  If you read enough of Psalms you will come across the trust and obedience that are part and parcel of God’s people.

So?  Follow the rules.  They are there for a purpose, but the rules are not what saves you.

Fun House

(Pro 10:23 KJV)  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

This verse had an interesting spin in the New American Bible.

Pro 10:23 (NAB) Crime is the entertainment of the fool;
    So is wisdom for the man of sense.

The law abiding and the righteous look at crime as either an act of desperation or a shortcut to fulfilled desires.  It impossible for us to look at it the way so many criminals do.  It is fun.  It is exciting.  It has an immediate payoff.  In our current legal atmosphere it is also almost without risk.  What is not to like?

So?  Again, be aware of the world around you.  That means realizing that the lenses of your glasses may be rose colored.  Truth is not always pleasant.

Swamp Navigating

(Pro 9:17 KJV)  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
(Pro 9:18 KJV)  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

As I read the New American Bible I did not notice anything in the translation and the comments seemed acceptable but they made my mind go on a tangent.  I started thinking about the preaching that goes on in some churches and the teaching in some Christian colleges that ignores the truth of the Bible and instead quote pagan psychologists and philosophers for their points.  Or what if they refer to popular music without tying it into the Word of God.  They are offering  “stolen” (1589) “water” (4325)

That is on them.  Whether you accept what they say is on you.  It is also on me.  That is one reason I try to have my Bible open when someone is sharing “truth”.  

So?  Beware of the deceivers out there.  There is a lot of counterfeit “wisdom” that is masquerading as the real thing.  God has given us His written word and the Holy Spirit to help us through the swamp. 

Rewards

Exodus 5:6-8 (KJV) 6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish [ought] thereof: for they [be] idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go [and] sacrifice to our God.

All is not always sunshine and roses. Serving the Lord does not always have a happy middle, even though we are assured of a happy ending.  Take this case of Pharaoh and Moses.

Have you been hearing about the happy endings that are supposed to be coming your way?  I have news for you.  It may not work out the way you think or at least on the schedule you have planned.  While it is true we have read the book and know who wins, God does not usually have the same sense of timing that we have.

Here Moses is working on getting Israel out of Egypt.  God says He will bring it to pass.  He also tells them there will be a lot of bumps in the road.  They don’t hear Him, probably because they don’t want to hear Him.  I find myself in that situation at times.

So?  Eternity will be wonderful but the government that seems determined to punish people of faith will keep getting in the way.  Get ready to gather your own straw, whatever that means in your world.

Walking Washed

(Rev 7:14 KJV)  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

There are certain images in the Bible that don’t come across as scientifically possible but if you think about what they mean then they can speak to your heart.  This verse is one of them.  From it we get the idea of how the blood of Jesus cleanses us.  It brought to mind a song we sing at church, or used to sing.  Here is the second verse and chorus,

Are you walking daily by the Savior's side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

    Are you washed in the blood,
    In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
    Are your garments spotless?  Are they white as snow?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

So?  Either rejoice or reflect.  God wants us to live above the world while we are still in the world.  Let Him prepare you for the journey. 

Give and Take

(1Co 13:5 KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Love is not "provoked" (3947).  The KJV adds “easily”.  I am wondering if the opposite is also true, love does not provoke.  It is all very good to try to be kind and non-abusive.  That does not guarantee that the other person will respond in kind.  In fact, based on human nature, it is possible that your good attitude will encourage them to be even more provoking.

It doesn’t make any difference.  We are not called to respond to people the way they act toward us.  We are to live Christ in front of them even if they reject it and mock you.

So?  We are to set the right example, not follow the wrong one. 

Limited vs Unlimited

(Mat 4:10 KJV)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

We were looking at this during Sunday School and someone remarked that Satan never told Jesus to go away.  The insight had to do with the fact that Satan could not tell God to go away because God is everywhere.  I am not sure that is sophisticated theological jargon, but you get the idea.

We were reminded that Satan is not omnipresent.  In fact, he is none of the omni’s.  He is limited and our God is not.  

So?  That should be encouraging to you today. 

Down Turns

(Pro 4:5 KJV)  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

I am reading this month in the new American Bible.  As I came across verse five, I noticed that there are two ways that we can keep from getting wisdom.  One is to forget, and the other is to deliberately turn aside.

We tend to think that forgetting is accidental, but I’m not sure that it’s true.  Much of what we forget it’s because we don’t give it the attention that is necessary to remember.  I was introduced to someone new last Sunday.  Because the previous Wednesday I had forgotten a name, I kept repeating it until it was burned in.  

It would also be interesting to compare this to the wording of the King James, which uses the word “decline” (5186) for “turning aside”.  The word can be translated both ways but decline brings in the context of being a down hill move.

So?  Take responsibility for the choices God has given you.

Consider the Source

Psalms 3:2 (KJV) Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

Have other people given up on you?  Sometimes it is people who care deeply and have been pushed too far.  Other times it is people looking for an excuse.  Too often we allow ourselves to be influenced by what other people say and think about us.  I wonder if we do the same things to others around us.

If you look at the next verse, it has a whole different attitude, and that is the attitude we need to have.

(Psa 3:3 KJV)  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Yes, God sees our sin and demands confession and repentance.  In spite of the fact that He is aware of our failures, He still waits to be a “shield” (4043) and to life us up.  

So?  He is waiting.  If you need a pick me up don’t go to the medicine cabinet, go the Almighty God.  His cure is longer lasting and has no negative side effects. 

Back on Track

(Psa 51:12 KJV)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

I find this verse encouraging.  There may be times when we feel like we have walked away from God.  You can call it backsliding or being out of fellowship depending on your theology, but the point is you are not where you should be.  David here is asking what we can also ask.  He wants God to “restore” (7725) the “joy” (8342) that he once knew.

Again, you can take this to be applied wherever you are.  God has a way of meeting us and except for a few hard hearted game players is always willing to bring us back to where we should be.

So?  What an opportunity for some.  For others it is just an awareness of an emergency kit they may never need. 

A New Beginning

(Psa 51:10 KJV)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Here is another word picture of what God does when He redeems us.  He isn’t content with just the removal process.  He also wants to “create” (1254a) something.  This is the word that is used in Genesis 1:1.  There is has the concept of bringing into existence from nothing.  That might be a good picture of what happens in us.

We were not clean.  We were polluted by sin.  Even the good deeds we did were tainted.  God takes all that, washes off the corruption and gives us a new heart.

So?  You are a new creature.  The old is gone and the new has come.  I would say it is a promising picture. 

Ouch!

(Psa 51:7 KJV)  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Here we have another picture of what it means to get right with God.  He wants to “purge” (purify NASB) (2398) us.  This is an interesting choice of words.  To be honest it forced me to look at the commentaries I have in my software because the most common translation of the word is “sin”.  One helpful comment said it means to offer up as a sin offering.  Perhaps the KJV gets it a little closer to the point.

There is often a time when the process of growing in grace can be painful.  Sometimes the pain is being forced to confront our sins.  Sometimes it might take the form of realizing we have to give up something that was important to us.

So?  The question for each of us is, “Do you want to be clean.”  God does the scrubbing but we might be the one that feels the scrub brush. 

Deep Cleaning

(Psa 51:2 KJV)  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Verse 2 gives us two more words for the process of being forgiven.  God can “wash” (3526) away our “iniquity” (5771).  We all know how this works in our daily lives.  We wash our clothes on a regular basis.  We wash our windows when forced to.  We wash our cars depending on our OCD status.  On many projects I would assume it might get done better if someone else did it for us.

God can “cleanse” (2891) our “sin” (2403b).  This picture is deeper than just washing.  This to me means going after the germs and inflections.  You can wash the surface but cleansing goes to the heart of the matter.

So?  God is not satisfied with the superficial. 

Wipe Out

(Psa 51:1 KJV)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

What does it mean to be forgiven?  We toss off the concept so readily.  We sing about it.  We testify to it.  There are many different expressions to describe what is going on when it becomes a reality.  Here, David begins to look at this.  God can “blot” (4229) out our “transgressions” (6588).  This is the first of the words used for removing our sin.  

When the KJV was translated they had something called “blotting paper”.  It was used when writing to absorb the excess ink that might run or get smeared.  That is not the concept here.  This can also be translated “wipe”.  God will take a celestial paper towel, put some cleaning fluid on it and remove the filth from our lives.  What a glorious thought.

So?  Rejoice!  God is cleaning up your act in ways that you can’t even touch. 

Question

(Heb 4:16 KJV)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Have you considered the glory of this verse recently.

Repeatedly in the Old Testament we are told that we cannot see God and live.  It seems clear but there are exceptions so it must need some study.  In the NT we know God because we know Jesus.  While we should not be losing our awe of the majesty of God we are told by Jesus that if we have seen Him we have seen the Father.

When we practice the worship of prayer we need to remember that.  When we have the audacity to stand in the congregation and lift our voices to the Holy One we need to remember that.  When we watch the glory of creation it should be on our mind.

So?  There is only one God and He has revealed Himself to us.  He has given us the gift of approaching Him.  Rejoice. 

Mine

Exodus 20:2 (KJV) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I have been advised that the old testament is written to the Jews, and not to the church.  In this verse specifically I would be told that this is written to the Jews, because they were the ones who were brought out of Egypt.  All that is true.  I was not brought out of Egypt.  I was not in the house of bondage.  Does that mean that the Lord cannot be my God?

To paraphrase someone from the Bible, “may it never be”.

Yes, God led Israel out of bondage.  That is an historical truth.  He also paid to free me from sin. I know that truth from other scriptures, and I am free to apply it here because it is a reminder to me.

So? Acknowledge truth; remember truth; apply truth. God speaks to us in the entire Bible.

More than Know About

(Psa 23:4 KJV)  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I had not noticed this before, but the focus of the Psalm changes in verse four.  I was noticing at the beginning that he talked about God and in verse 4 changed it so that he was talking to God.  As I worked through the Psalm, I realized eventually David was actually talking to God instead of just about him.  That was much more personal.  And then, at the end, he goes back to talking about him again.

Interesting change.  It is also something that it would do us well to remember and emulate.  Knowledge can be factual or personal.  German uses different words for each.  In English we need to plug in our perception more.  

So?  Know God.  Don’t just know about Him.  Take the extra time to get acquainted.