Be Careful

Proverbs 24:17 (KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

As I write, we are digesting the knowledge that Joe Biden has cancer and is not long to be on this earth.  Many people have responded with traditional messages of condolence.  Others have been less dignified.  How should we respond to something like this?

There is no question to anyone has been paying attention that Joe Biden has been an evil force in our country.  He has been an enemy to Christianity and to the republic.  At the same time there is a very stern admonition here about how we are to respond when someone who is clearly an enemy falls.  Read it and weep if you must.  You must also not gloat and his misfortune.

This does not mean that we do not seek justice or enforce the law.  This is about our attitude as believers.  We are not of the world.  We are to be different.

So?  Be different.  If nothing else, pray that this last awakening call to Joe Biden before he goes into eternity will bring him to repentance.  

Landmarks

Proverbs 23:10 (KJV) Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

Before I spiritualize this and make an application, take a moment to consider what has gone before.  When Israel came into the promised land, it was divided up by tribes.  Within the tribes, it was divided up again and you ended up with people who were given land that was supposed to be theirs forever.  I believe the concept was that you could not sell it permanently, that, for instance, in the year of jubilee it would return to its original owners.

So the old landmarks were significant in saying who each family was, and how they fit into the nation of Israel.  They were not taken lightly.  They weren’t just some marks on the ground.  They were significant fixtures meant to be permanent.  They were the place which you begin to measure other things from.

Now let’s spiritualize just a little bit.  We have certain landmarks that are supposed to be permanent in our lives.  These are the rocks of truth that God gives us in His word.  They are not to be discarded or changed.  They are the starting point of everything else.

It’s easy to mistake landmarks with cultural points of reference.  In worship some people think that the hymns are the only spiritual music.  I confess I come close to that, but I don’t think I’m quite that closed minded.  But we have a scripture reference to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  It covers a lot of ground.

So?  Make sure that the basis of your decisions and your values are rooted in scripture not in culture.  Culture changes.  Traditions change.  Truth is a landmark that does not vary.  

Ouch!

Proverbs 22:10 (KJV) Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

At our Wednesday night service I spoke up when I heard some things that didn’t add up.  It became clear to me that the pastor had not done his homework.  It could’ve just been the fact that he’s been sick lately and his mind isn’t clear yet.  Either way what he said did not make sense.  All you had to do was a little digging yourself and you didn’t need any commentaries or any charts or graphs.  Things were clearly presented in scripture.

That itself is not the issue.  What I ask myself when I read verses like this is, “Should I just sit and be quiet when nonsense is spoken?”  I don’t really have an answer because I am wrong often enough that I can’t get too arrogant.  Would it be best if I “cast” (1644) myself out as a skeptic?  Would that really help the body to grow stronger?

So?  Someone once said if people are talking about the crazy member of the family and you don’t know anybody in your family that fits that bill then it’s possible that you are the crazy member of the family.  Apply that to scorners.  Self examination is very valuable.  

Assumptions

Proverbs 21:12 (KJV) The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Proverbs 21:12 (NKJV) The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their  wickedness.

Look at these two translations.  If you are even semi-serious about your Bible study, you recognize the use of italics in the tradition of the KJV, and the NASB.  It indicates that the word in italics is not in the original language.  It’s interesting to me the difference in translation between these two versions of the King James.  In both cases, the keyword is in italics.  The change in how they interpret it makes a difference in how the verse is understood.  This difference is reflected in different translations.

I think the idea that God is the one who is righteous and who examines the house of the wicked is much more appropriate than putting a man in there.  This reminds us that God is not blind, and that He does not ignore evil.

So?  You are not going to overthrow the wicked next door.  Ultimately, that is God’s responsibility and if you have read Romans 13, He is giving the government the responsibility to bear the sword to punish evil.  So relax.  Let God be God.  You can count on that even if you can’t count on the government doing its job.  

Rewards

Proverbs 20:7 (KJV) The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Children and grandchildren are generally a joy.  For most people they are the greatest joy when they’re still in the diaper stage before they walk.  That is because they still seem to be innocent and their self-centeredness is disguised by their cuteness.  People sitting behind young parents will make faces at the babies as they look over your shoulder.  It’s a grand time.

But remember what Peter, Paul, and Mary sang, “A dragon lives forever but not so little boys.”  These wonderful “innocent” children grow up and begin to display a lot of characteristics that are not so wonderful . We still enjoy them.  We still think they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Eventually they grow up and start out on their own.  It is at that point that you begin to find out what kind of investment you’ve made.  What Solomon is saying here is that you don’t know until your children grow up what kind of an example you set for them.  I speak from my position of joy.  My father raised four boys.  They were all credit to him, family, and God.  My brother just died and I can say the same thing about his four children.  Their lives were lived in such a way that they invested in the next generation.

So?  If you have no children, then your contribution may be that of an uncle or a godfather, but you still have a contribution.  If you are a young parent, consider these words carefully.  If you’re an older parent, keep in mind that you continue to have input.  May God bless you and your children.  

Family Ties

Proverbs 19:26 (KJV) He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Recently, I visited my uncle.  He’s 93 and has made a decision to move from his two bedroom duplex into assisted-living.  It’s his decision.  He made it on his own.  He had some good reasons for doing so.  In the midst of this decision, I think there is an awareness as if it were necessary his children would find ways to take care of him.

This verse should remind us of a principle that God is established for the family.  When the children are young, adults take care of them.  The adults do a good job.  Then the children become independent and stand on their own two feet.  When the parents get too old to care for themselves the biblical standard is that the children will make sure that they are taken care of.  How that would work out and each individual family I don’t know.  We joke about if I were left penniless and no place to go, my son has a spare bedroom.  To his credit and my sense of satisfaction, he nods his head and says, “Sure.”

In many families, the animosity created by the parents, or the children would make this impossible.  In some families the elderly are so irascible that no one would have them.  To be honest many have earned that rejection.  It’s sad the way family breaks down, but there still is a biblical principle here.

So?  We never had to take our parents in, but we always made sure that they had a place to live and they were taken care of.  I trust that God will honor us in the same way with our children.  It’s a standard that needs to be reinforced. 

Be of Good Cheer

Proverbs 18:14 (KJV) The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

I think this verse stood out to me this morning as I was coughing and spitting and blowing, and all the other things that go along with one of these long-term congestions.  In spite of that, my spirits are high, because I know the Creator.  I know He put within me a system to fight disease and to attack invaders in my body.  That doesn’t make me cough less, but it certainly assures me that things are in good hands.

My ailments are minor in the scheme of things.  What is probably more encouraging than my knowledge that God is in charge is the spirit I’ve seen in others who are suffering from things that I would consider to be really serious.  All around me I see people who are going through possibly the last major illness they have, and they still exhibit a trust in the Lord.  Their joy at times may be a bit down, but the Joy is still there.

So?  Whether it is your own inner assurance, or the outer assurance radiating from other believers, it is good to know that we are sustained by the spirit of “God is with us”.  

Laying the Groundwork

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

There are a number of important issues that are addressed in this verse.  One is the issue of abortion.  When does life begin?  When are you killing a human child as opposed to what some like to call a lump of tissue?  I think some of that is pretty obvious here and it’s not what I want to address today anyway.

What strikes me here is the call of God on a life.  I am a big proponent of free will.  I believe that being created in the image of God makes us different than the animals and gives us the ability to make moral decisions.  The most important decision, of course, is whether we are going to trust in Jesus, or not.  It goes beyond that.  Here it is the question of what kind of precision God uses in molding some people in their personalities and attitudes.

Noticed that God says He is forming Jeremiah and that even before that He knew him.  He also says that He has ordained him as a prophet.  Does this mean Jeremiah had no choice in responding to God’s call?  Some would say so, but I don’t think so.  The issue is that God created in his heart not only the ability to be a prophet, but a desire to do God’s will.

I don’t think that God gets this detailed in everybody’s lives, but I do believe that there are some cases where He muddies the water to His advantage.

So?  Are you going to feel sorry for yourself that God has chosen you for a special role in life and has given you the abilities and gift to perform that?  Or are you just going to rejoice in the fact that God took the time to mold you into being something that He could clarify himself with. Your choice. 

So King Me

Proverbs 16:10 (KJV) A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

This verse begins a short segment that repeatedly refers to the king.  Being born in America, with a long history of challenging kings going back through England, we tend to think that kings are evil horses.  The Bible assumes that monarchy is the natural way things should be done.  Go ahead and look for the words, democracy or “federal republic” in the Bible.  In this case, I won’t bother to wait because I know they’re not there.

Does that make representative government evil?  No.  But it does remind us that the thing that makes America great and a country blessed by God is not the fact that we have elections instead of a king.  The difference is in the moral standards and principles behind the common culture of the country.  Unfortunately we seem to be abandoning those foundations even while we still have elections.

So?  We need to be more concerned about the moral fiber of our country than about cheating and elections.  If the moral fiber is strong the cheating is minimal.  If the moral fiber is decayed it won’t matter the way it’s done.  God is more concerned about the moral fiber.  How about you?  

A Case for Both/And

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

At first, I compared this in the KJV to the NKJV.  I saw a clear difference in how it was translated.  As I compare different translations, I saw two ways in which this was viewed.  The first was that for the person who forsakes the way of God correction will be hard to take and severe.  The other is that the person who forsakes of God will not respond well to discipline.

I am guessing that the different translations are more in the attitude of the translator them in the clarity of the text.  After a brief moment of trying to figure out which might be better I realize that this is a case where the Holy Spirit has caused the Bible to be translated in different ways, not showing that we would say either/or, but that we would say both/and.

Notice this is not just condemning the person who makes a mistake or gets a little casual.  This is the person who turns his back and walks away from God.  God is not amused.  Even more than that God realizes this person needs to be smacked hard if they’re going to be brought to the awareness of their need for repentance.

So?  Obviously, the first and most important thing is to be obedient and to serve God with all your heart mind, soul and strength.  I think it would be that if you ever do get smacked down to examine your life and find out if there is a growing belligerence or insensitivity, and you are directing your feet outside of his direction.  Grow in grace.  

Redefining

Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV) The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

I make a point of regularly pointing out the difference between a skeptic and a cynic.  Perhaps here is a better word to describe the role of the skeptic.  Skeptics do not deny truth they just ask for proof.

Maybe it would be better to consider myself prudent, rather than skeptical.  It sounds more noble for one thing, but it means much the same.  There is truth.  Biblical truth is relatively easy to find.  Political truth and current events truth is almost impossible.  That is why we need to start with the Bible and then move on with a smell test to see what the world tells us.

So?  Accept that there is truth to be found, and that God will help you find it but like many things in life if you don’t go looking, it will remain buried. 

The Payoff

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

I generally tend to start with financial issues when talking about inheritance.  I think that’s the general understanding of this verse, however it goes much further than that.  I just came from a week with my brothers family as we prepared for his funeral.  It was one glorious time.  I feel I know him better now than I did when he was alive because I was able to look into the hearts and minds of his children.  Even better, I was able to interact with his grandchildren, his children’s children, as it says in this verse.

What a delightful bunch of kids.  What a joy to be around.  What an inheritance.  I know that my brother faced the end in peace and assurance.  Much of that was based on his personal faith with the Lord.  In addition, there was the evidence that not only were his children on the right path but his grandchildren are following up.

So?  Are you making good investments?  The most important ones will not be found online as you review your portfolio.  Stop on the way by a bedroom.  Look in.  See the young souls being molded.  Rejoice. 

Root Resources

Proverbs 12:12 (KJV) The wicked desireth the net of evil I men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

One of the differences that I see in comparing the wicked and the righteous is the source of what they are looking for.  One looks inward and one looks outward.

The wicked is looking at what other people are bringing in and is hoping that he can gain from what he sees.  Here he seems to focus on those that are called evil.  I don’t know if you would call this birds of a feather or nuts falling from the tree.  Either way the resources available are destructive.

On the other hand at this point, at least, the righteous are going down to their roots.  We are looking inside.  I would have to conclude that we are talking about the way in which the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit living within us and having that fountain of living water.

So?  Which will it be?  Will you look at the lower level inputs around you or will you stick to the voice of God that is speaking to you from your heart.  And of course I would assume that you have been feeding that inner voice by a regular diet of His word. 

Still Creating

Psalms 139:14 (KJV) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

In this Psalm David is talking about how God individually molded who he was going to be.  You can look at the previous verse for more insight into that.  What struck me with this is one of the attributes of God, or what I consider His attribute, is being creative.  We, except in the beginning of the Bible where it tells us God created the heavens and the Earth, leave that behind.  Many sometimes think that He went on vacation after that.  We accuse the Deists of thinking this way.  In reality, I think many of us believe it’s kind of like a hands-off God.

Not so fast.  While it’s possible, the God of the extremes of the universe is still creating new galaxies and whatever else He has up there, here in our hometown we forget to apply that.  We know He is busy if we just pause think about how each human being is created in the womb, unique, one of a kind, in the image of God.

What I believe that means is that when we are conceived, we are given all of the attributes we need in order to live a holy and righteous life.  We are given everything we need in order to follow where God wants to go.  We have moral choice.  This is where it gets to a level that is beyond me.  How can that first fertilized egg have the ability to make moral choices?  I don’t have a clue.  But I know that God made that individual with the ability to achieve eternity with Him.

So?  What are you doing with your uniqueness?  Are you using it for the glory of God or just to have a rich life now? 

No Verses

Romans 1:9 (KJV) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Romans 1:9 (NASB95) For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

(Proverbs 10 also read)

Take a moment to look at this verse in both translations.  You may notice that the KJV talks about making mention of them in their prayers but you don’t see that in the NASB.  This is one of those cases where you need to be reminded that the original manuscripts did not have the divisions in verses and chapters.  It was one continuous manuscript and later translators made the divisions.

If you have your Bible in front of you, you’ll notice that the phrase about prayer is included in the NASB, but in the next verse.  The translators had to make a decision whether they were going to make this a part of the previous verse or the start of the next verse.

Again, I think this is one of those cases where we don’t have to make a decision of either/or but the Holy Spirit is directing us to both/and.

So?  Look for things that you think might be discrepancies, put on your thinking cap, open your mind to the leader ship of the Spirit, and grow in grace and wisdom.

Cross Culture

Jeremiah 2:13 (KJV) For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

In this chapter, Jeremiah goes into a long recounting of the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel.  He goes all the way back to Egypt.  He points out that once again after all this time they are going to trust in Egypt instead of their God.  There’s a lot of creative writing, figures of speech, historical references, and so forth.

But here’s a verse that should stand out in your mind if it doesn’t sound familiar already.  We have often strayed away.  This is something that is not just a problem for Israel.  It is a problem for everyone.  We substitute an artificial construction for the living God.  Building a cistern is not a bad idea if the source of water is unreliable.  That’s not the picture here.  What we have is a picture of a very dependable source of water, which has never failed.  And they decide to build a cistern.

And it’s a crummy cistern.  It leaks.  I can just see the mold crawling across the bottom.  It probably has green scum everywhere.  That would be bad enough but it seems that instead of using the living water on a daily basis, they use the cistern.

So?  What are you relying on for your hope for tomorrow?  What is it that feeds you on a regular basis?  God has provided His word.  We have access to worship. We can spend time meditating and worshiping Him.  But instead we go to self-help books, psychology, sociology and anything else that appeals to us.  This is a reminder to keep our focus on trusting him. 

Are You Following Me?

Psalms 139:8 (KJV) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

The mosquitoes have decided that I was worth sucking blood from.  The sun was up and the warm air was starting to stir and make things uncomfortable.  I decided it was time to go in.  In the spirit of frivolity, I bid the Lord adieu and start it toward the door.  Rabbit trails can strike at any moment.

As I was moving toward the door, it occurred to me that even though I went inside the house, I did not mean that God was going to stay out on the porch.  He’s already seen the sunrise, knew every color that would be exhibited.  He didn’t have to worry about the mosquitoes.  And He wasn’t going to stay out there and let me think that I got off on my own.  God accompany me as I went through the door and back to my room to change my environment.

That is a lighthearted way of reminding me, and, possibly you, God is with us wherever we go.  We can’t get away from Him.  Of course, that brings up the question of, why would we want to?

So?  Rejoice in the awesome presence of Almighty God.  And keep in mind that, although the Bible doesn’t use the word, we look at God as being omnipresent. 

Trust

Proverbs 7:19 (KJV) For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

When I read something like this, I wonder why it is that people marry people they can’t trust.  It is beyond my comprehension that my wife would be cheating on me while I’m out of town.  I certainly hope she has that same feeling toward me.

And yet you hear about this kind of thing all the time.  I often wonder how common it really is.  When I was teaching, we used to have a group of young hotshots, who love to brag about their conquests.  I didn’t grill them, but I know human nature and I know young macho males.  Just because they wanted it to be true doesn’t mean it was.  Just because you hear something doesn’t mean it’s true.  Consider it an old form of fake news.

In my family and my immediate circle I don’t believe I’ve heard of any unfaithfulness.  Maybe I wasn’t listening.  Maybe I am in denial.  Maybe I am surrounded by people that love Jesus and walk according to His standards.

So?  It does make a difference what people believe.  And the right belief leads to the ability to trust.

Pick a Verse, Any Verse

Psalms 136:5 (KJV) To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

I am actually reading Psalms in the NASB.  The NASB family of translations make this word “mercy” into “loving kindness”.  In the Hebrew that is chesed.  It’s one of those words that just grabs hold of me and shakes me around every time I think about it.  In this chapter, it is impossible not to think about it because it comes out in every single verse.

This is a recurring theme with me and that’s OK.  It is an important theme or concept.  I rank it right up there with agape from the Greek.  It is a loaded word that is at the center of what we believe.  I prefer the translation of loving kindness.  Part of it may be artistic, but I’m not known as being artistic.  I just like the combination and spread of meaning it has in it.  It isn’t conveyed just the word mercy, although that is powerful.

So?  Take a moment to rejoice in the reality of God’s love and kindness.  Let it be a framework for your attitude today.

What about Me?

(Psa 135:4 KJV)  For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

I have a friend who makes a big deal of the fact that we are not Israel, and we are not the chosen people.  His point gets extended beyond the obvious to saying that the promises of God that were given to Israel do not pertain to us.  He is open to doing some interpretation and looking for principles.  This is double true when he finds something in the Old Testament that backs up one of his personal theories.  I think we’re all like that a bit.

So, if we are not Israel, and we are not of Jacob, what are we to do?  I would suggest to keep reading and apply the lessons and standards given because they come from God.  It’s true that if you take your children out to dinner, you are not responsible for feeding every child in the restaurant.  You don’t have to buy a child a present for Christmas if you don’t even know if he’s around.  There are a lot of limitations like this.  At the same time, the concept of feeding your children and giving gifts are good solid concepts.  They pertain to the parents and that restaurant who don’t even know your children.

So?  In the same way the Ten Commandments apply to you.  In the same way that first commandment that you would have “no other gods before Me” applies to you.  It may be that you don’t need to keep a kosher kitchen.  It’s obvious that you can’t do sacrifices in the temple, but neither can the Jews today.  Look for the ways in which you can bring joy to God’s Heart, not ways in which you can avoid His expectations. 

Anti-Cultural Blessing

Psalms 128:4 (KJV) Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

When you see verses like this you need to pause and look a bit at the context.  It is very easy to fill in the blanks of what a blessing is by our current priorities and desires.  Many of those are sent by our cultural environment and the expectations of others.  Take a moment to look back at the verses preceding this if you have your Bible open and available.

Blessing here is a comment about having children and our family.  We live in a day where children are considered a burden instead of a blessing.  We need to get over that.  We need to accept the biblical standard.

So?  You are probably like me, it’s too late to start a family.  What we can do that will help the situation is to encourage others who are younger to seriously consider that children are a blessing from God.   Keep in mind it’s not me talking, it’s what God says. 

Read It All

Psalms 127:2 (KJV) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:  for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

It is really easy to read a verse like this and use it as an excuse for doing what you wanted to do in the first place.  You need to read the context.  It’s really isn’t a lesson in sloth, it is a lesson in obedience and trust.  We are expected to work hard.  We are to do these things with we can understanding that ultimately success is up to the Lord.

So?  Read the context.  Make sure you got the whole picture before you do something stupid. 

A Better Option

Psalms 126:4 (KJV) Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

In the NASB this is even more confusing than the KJV.  It talks about restoring captivity captive as if it is a good thing.  That seems strange.  I don’t know what the scholars think about this and I realized these people are looking back to the days when they were in Babylon and looking back deserve to be there again.

What gives?

I think they may be looking back at being thrown into captivity that woke them up to their spiritual responsibilities.  It was being cut off from Zion and knowing it was because they had ignore the things of God.  And now they’re back in the holy land and business as usual.

So?  Sometimes it is not hard times that are most beneficial to our spiritual growth.

Let Me Count the Ways

Psalms 116:1 (KJV) I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

We say it in such a cavalier way.  We say it without thinking.  It becomes a mantra, “I love you.”  So easy to say and so rarely do we stop and really think about what it means.  As I was looking at this, and, nodding my head in agreement, I began to ask myself, “Why do I love the Lord?”

Natural, not something we think about.  As often happens, my mind went to my grandchildren.  I love my grandchildren with a passion that I don’t even understand.  Why?  Obviously, they are superior to anybody else’s grandchildren.  You might argue with me on that but I know you are just deluded.  Much of it comes down to the blood relationship.  They are family.

In the same way I think it’s impossible for people who have not become a part of the family of God to really love Him.  They don’t know Him. Their spiritual DNA has not been modified in regeneration.

So?  I could list all the things like you see in this Psalm.  I could wax political.  Anyway you slice it, though, it comes down to the fact that I love the lord.  I can live with that. 

Outmoded Excuse

Proverbs 31:6 (KJV) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

To be honest, there have been times in my life when if I have been reading through Proverbs and it come to this verse, I might have used it as an excuse to go out and get drunk.  I’ve never been drunk.  I have no idea what the experience is like.  I have been depressed.  I have been ready to get drunk, or so I thought.  I have never, though, been to the point where I was ready to go out buy a bottle of whiskey, and start doing some serious drinking.

So maybe I’ve never really been depressed.  Maybe I’ve never had a really heavy heart.

At this time in my life, it seems silly solution.  As I spend time on a daily basis with the Lord, I find that the heaviness in my heart, is lifted up and moved closer to glory.  It also becomes clear to me that I will not spend that daily time with the Lord unless I make it a priority.  It is a conscious choice that I must make to put other activities in second place.

So?  I’m aware it’s easy advice to give when you’re not dealing with a heavy heart.  I don’t know that I would respond well either if I were struggling in the depths.  But if you can reach out, expect God to meet you and move into the glory of His presence.  Blessings. 

Light Years or Days

Psalms 19:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

I was sitting here, contemplating the universe and God.  I was thinking about how I’m created in the image of God, with the ability to reason, and think, to interact with the Eternal One, and have free will.  And there are those who believe that the universe is billions of years old who will tell you that the entire universe is established and created to focus on the planet Earth to create an environment that we can exist in.

I find that even more on awesome than 7/24 hour day creation.  God is God.  He can do anything He wants.  The question is not whether God did it, but just speculating on what it all means.  Somehow, something in me says that God enjoys the process of creating, and although He exists outside of time, I think there is an element where He just really celebrated when He was making the novas and the galaxies and all the different types of stars.  I think He reveled in the variety that He was able to come up with.  I think He rejoices in all of this.

And He made us to be a part of this.  He gave us this universe to investigate and look into and it’s only the beginning and the first page of the book of eternity.

So?  Enjoy.  Celebrate.  Rejoice.  Look at the sky and remind yourself that this declares the glory of God and we can only see the tip of the iceberg. 

Adding It Up

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

(Proverbs 29 also read)

You could have misunderstood this idea of numbers if you weren’t reading the whole Psalm. You might assume that these are the numbers of the days of your life.  In reality what he’s saying is that there is so many things to praise God about that he can’t add them up.  It’s beyond his mathematical ability.  It’s beyond his perception.

Notice he’s trying to speak about God’s “righteousness” and about God’s “salvation”.  He’s not moaning and groaning.  He’s not complaining about how God is not taking care of him.  He is really rejoicing.  What an attitude to have.

So?  Get a clearer idea of who God is.  Spend some time thinking about all of the possible catastrophes that could’ve happened in your life you were shielded you from.  If you can’t think anything, then just look at the lives of others and see what they are struggling with.  God is good beyond what we cannot only asking think, but what we can add up. 

The I Am Difference

Psalms 115:5 (KJV) They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

(Proverbs 28 also read)

I think that when this was written there was a smile on the face of the author.  He is describing the local gods.  If you follow down through the next few verses, you’ll see a lot of body parts mentioned, which are useless.  They do nothing.

We need to contrast that with the name of the Lord.  I choose the word contrast deliberately because we are contrasting, not comparing.  There is no comparison.  In the first verse, it uses the word, LORD.  This is Yahweh.  This is the name which means, “I am.  That is such an essential and basic difference between our God, and the gods of the pagans.  Their gods have eyes, but cannot see.  Our God is a spirit.  He does not have eyes in my opinion, but He sees all.  He sees not only in the physical realm like we do, but also in the spiritual realm where we tend to be foggy.  In fact, He’s the one who designed our eyes with all the limitations that are built into them.

So rejoice.  God not only made the universe, but He maintains it.  He not only made you and I, but He maintains us.  Go ahead and spend a little time shouting about that if you want to. 

Some Things Never Change

Proverbs 27:15 (KJV) A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Every time I read this I find it a bit amusing. I also find it a bit painful.  I’ll let you guess why it’s painful.

It’s amusing because for one thing it makes me feel the brotherhood of humanity.  Every once in a while I come across things which make me realize that I am not the only one who has experienced something, and when I have one of the great wisdom sources of history producing an idea like this it rings such a loud bell, I feel a oneness with humanity.  Isn’t it amazing how things that are so common today were common 3000 years ago.

So?  Is it any surprises the Bible can speak to us today?  If Solomon was wise enough to find something in common with us, how much more could God do the same?  Read with expectation.

They’re Everywhere

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

This chapter has a long section on the subject of fools.  Think about the things that keep coming up in the book of Proverbs.  The foolishness of adultery.  Listening to your parents and to the wise adults around you.  Many topics, one of them is fools.

I think we get uncomfortable with us, because of what Jesus told us about calling someone a fool.  Keep in mind that Jesus was not addressing calling someone a fool. He was addressing anger and temper, and used calling people fools as an example.  He was not saying there are no fools around us.  The reason we know that is because this chapter repeatedly warns us about fools.

I understand that they are everywhere.  There was some cartoon character that had the phrase “He’s everywhere, he’s everywhere.”  Fools are everywhere.  That tells us two things. First of all be aware that you are surrounded by fools.  They deny the wisdom that God lays out in front of them.  They can’t tell truth when it bites them on the nose.  And the main reason that they can’t tell the truth is because they don’t want to know the truth.

Which brings me to the second issue and that is that we need to be very careful that we ourselves are not fools.  It is so very easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have the answers.  As Christians, we do have the answers.  That does not mean that we cannot twist them to our own advantage.

So?  Don’t get cocky.  Keep calling on the Lord and reading his word, and listening to his admonition to be obedient and humble.  Don’t be one of the crowd around you. 

Blame Game

Psalms 80:6 (KJV) Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

The statement by the Psalmist is a good example of why Israel had so much trouble in it’s history.  The context of the Psalm is that they are being laughed at by all the surrounding countries because they’re going through such hard times.  I assume that there are invasions and chaos in the culture.  It could be harvest failures.  It really doesn’t matter.  What matters is whom is to blame.

Notice that the Psalmist blames God for things.  His statement that God made the strife implies that God is the cause of the problem.  In reality, God is simply responding to Israel‘s rebellion and lack of obedience.  Who is the actual cause of the problem?

So?  We all have problems.  Some of those problems are caused by other people, by the weather, by government, or just by chance.  Many of those problems are caused by us.  We make decisions.  We have priorities.  We respond irrationally.  We need to be open and honest with that and instead of just asking God to bail us out, we ask Him to make us different, to change us.  That is part of the plan of salvation. 

Watch Your Step

Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV) O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

This is a reminder that needs to come to us on a regular basis.  We get into planning.  We make a list of priorities.  We set goals.  All of the self-help books tell us that this is what we’re supposed to do.

Perhaps in spiritual matters DIY is not the best path to follow.  Yes, we have to be involved.  Yes, we have to make decisions.  Yes, we have to set goals.  But ultimately we need to keep in mind that it is God who is guiding our steps and position in the world around us.  That should give us peace.  It should help us in our planning.

So?  This is not an excuse to be idle or irresponsible.  It is a call to obedience. 

Better Mercy

Psalms 86:15 (KJV) But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

Notice the word in the KJV, “mercy”.  In the NASB this is translated “loving kindness”.  To me that is much more meaningful and richer than just mercy.  It stands out to me when I see it in the longer word.  The reason I look at it today is because this is the third time it is mentioned in this one Psalm.  David is rejoicing in God, but the thing that he keeps coming back to and mentioning over and over is this, loving kindness.

There are many words to describe God.  We know about His wrath.  We know about His holiness.  We know about His patience, or we should if we’re paying attention.  We need to rejoice in His loving kindness.

So?  It’s always good to just take a moment, and reflect on all of the ways in which God extends his love, and his kindness towards us.  Rejoice. 

Portable Refuge

Psalms 91:9 (KJV) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Twice in this Psalm we find reference to “refuge” (4268) as a noun.  Once in verse four we find the verb.  There is a lot of comfort found in this, that God is our refuge, our fortress, our hiding place.  I like the idea.  I find it giving me a sense of security.  I cling to it on a daily basis, when I am getting frustrated or moving towards fear.

However, it occurred to me based on the context, and all the other things being said, in this chapter that it is not just a passive fortress, but it is a portable refuge.  It’s not just a place that we can run into, and hide.  It is that, but it is also a matter of God going with us and being with us in these moments of trial.  Of course, the ideal way of looking at it is that we are going with God rather than He is traveling along behind us.

So?  Either way whether we run into it, or it travels with us the presence of God offers a refuge, a fortress, a sanctuary.  He Offers us a security that allows us to face the unknown future in the hands of the One who knows the future. 

Loving Fish Eyes

Proverbs 21:15 (KJV) It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Have you ever noticed how some people rejoice in certain situations, specific foods, different types of company?  Have you ever talked to someone who has a negative reaction to a common, over-the-counter, medication?  Have you ever met someone who likes fire and brimstone preaching?  We all tend to be very different.

I was talking with a lady whom I believe was born in China and is now an American citizen.  I asked her about the kind of Chinese food we have here in America and how it compared to the real thing.  In the course of the discussion, she commented on how when she was a child, they would fight over who got to eat the fish eyes.  Needless to say, I was not real enthused about the prospect.  The eyes of a fish are not exactly something that I would consider a delicacy, but for her, it was the best part of the whole feast.

Sadly, doing the right thing is the same.  There are some people who just rejoice in a being able to do that which is right.  Others can’t wait until they can get away with something.  We see this in young children.  It’s not just a matter of being compliant or easy to get along with, it’s a matter of where the heart is directed.

As children both the compliant and the difficult are lost in sin.  Both need the grace of God.  Both need to learn repentance and faith in Jesus.  I’m not sure which one has it easier.  The compliant child probably feels like they’re OK already.  The difficult child is hard to convince.

So?  Either way each of us has to come to that position of standing before the justice seat of God and repenting of our sins. 

Anger Issues

Proverbs 20:3 (KJV) It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

This verse brings to mind other sections of scripture.  It makes me think of the Proverb that says a soft answer turns away wrath.  It reminds me of Jesus instructing us to turn the other cheek, and to go the extra mile.  None of these, though, indicate that we are going to be perfect, and totally resistant to strife.

Our goal, and our honor if we achieve it, is to avoid strife, or as this verse says to “cease” from strife.  This can have different meanings.  It can mean stopping after the first few punches or insults.  It can mean walking away from someone you know will be aggressive.  It can mean ignoring verbal attacks upon you.

The main point though is that it is not a sign of weakness, or lack of character to avoid conflict.

So?  Don’t let other people drag you into verbal or physical altercations.  Avoid them, both the situations and the people.  Refuse to be drawn in.  Keep in mind it is the highroad.

Wait for It

Proverbs 19:13-14 (KJV) 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

One of the things I feel is true about the Bible is ultimately you see both sides to an issue.  You find balance if you keep reading.  It’s also very easy to miss the point.

Here we have a good example of two sides of the coin in successive verses.  You notice in verse 13 it talks about the nagging wife.  That sounds pretty negative.  Then in the next verse talks about how the prudent life comes from the Lord.  That is the other side of the coin.  The Bible does not simplify things to the point of being absurd.  It lets you know that life is complicated.

So?  As I have said many times, keep reading.  You’ll find what you need and you will find it more quickly the more you put into it.  God loves to meet with his people.

The Long Run

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

I for one I’m so used to singing the song that goes with this verse that I have become a bit insensitive to its meaning.  My first thought this morning went to the name of Jesus.  Obviously this is talking about Yahweh and that is certainly a place that we can run for security, but as believers today, we tend to look more to the name of Jesus.  The name of Jesus is powerful, and we take refuge in the One who hears it.  It means Savior.

But I also noticed in looking at it today that the running is in the Hebrews imperfect tense.  That means it is an ongoing process.  We continue to run into the shelter of the name of the Lord.

So?  Make this your default setting.  You are running to Jesus on all things.  Do you have a decision to make?  Run to Jesus.  Are you feeling depressed?  Run to Jesus.  Do you want to shout for joy and dance in the streets?  Run to Jesus. 

Suspended Curse

Proverbs 17:13 (KJV) Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

As I read this verse this morning, it started my mind down the rabbit trail of divided homes.  I think we all know situations were either the husband or the wife is a believer, and the other isn’t.  Sometimes that works relatively harmoniously, but occasionally you get a situation where a husband will be openly antagonistic towards his believing wife.  I think of one couple that we knew years ago where he absolutely forbid her even to go to church.  She chose to submit his authority.

How does this work out when you have this kind of conflict going on in a home?  Will evil predominate?  My thought went to another scripture,

1 Corinthians 7:14 (KJV) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

So? Somehow, and ways that I don’t often see, God has promised to have His hand on the family that has a believer in it. 

Midnight Lemonade

Psalms 119:62 (KJV) At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

Have you ever had those times when you wake up in the middle of the night and you just can’t seem to get back to sleep?  This is the problem, evidently, even in the book of Psalms.  The author has experienced this and made good use of it.

It actually could be more than one benefit. An obvious one is that you spent more time with the Lord.  You can focus on Him, whom He is and what He wants from you.  In the quiet, it’s easier to listen, and there’s a good chance that your wife will not decide she has something to say to you.

It also can have a calming influence on you so that you can get back to sleep.  I guess if you want to extend that a little bit, it may lull you back into sleep.  Either way it’s a great benefit.

So?  If the Lord wakes you up and keeps you awake, respond to His leadership in a positive way.  Make use of the lemons He gives you at midnight and make midnight lemonade. 

The Place of Pursuit

Proverbs 15:9 (KJV) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

This is a place where the NASB has a better word.  The King James talks about following after righteousness.  Not bad, but it misses the point.  It’s not just a matter of the person who walks in the way of the righteous.  It’s a matter of who chases it.  The NASB uses the word “pursue” instead of “follow”.  It’s much more in line with the meaning of the Hebrew.

You can have the mind set of the wicked.  You can pursue righteousness.  These are two choices that we have in life in many of our decisions.  It is a choice that we have probably had in more decisions than we want to admit.  On a daily basis we are tasked with deciding which way we want to go, even before we come to faith.  I personally think they’re showing us in progress to point out that some people are more ready to come to faith because of these decisions that they make.

So? You will face decisions today. Make sure that you choose based on which path you really want your life to follow. 

Be Flexible

Psalms 57:11 (KJV) Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

This morning, all of my carefully laid plans, my daily routines, and all of the things that I try to do in order to prepare myself for the day were short circuited by the display that God gave me in the early morning light.  How glorious creation is.  How constantly full of unexpected blessings our God is.  I love these kind of surprises.

When will I get back to my routine?  I don’t know.  At the moment I am simply taking in all of the extravaganza that God is offering me.  I rejoice in His sharing.  I bask in His light.

S0?  Isn’t it great to worship a living God who is so full of surprises? 

A New Diet Plan?

Proverbs 13:25 (KJV) The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

It always mystifies me when I am reading my NASB and it has a marginal footnote which tells me what something means literally.  Here we have that case.  What’s interesting is that when it tells me what it means literally and it’s pretty much exactly what the KJV is saying.  You see food that we eat is designed not for our appetites, but to satisfy our souls.

Would that not be a great topic for a diet book?  Actually, I think I have read such a book. It was called The Weigh Down Diet.  And the point of the book is that you eat in response to the built-in mechanisms that God has put into your body.  You respond to the body’s call is based on your contact with the Holy Spirit and not with your sinful appetites.  You eat to satisfy your soul.

So?  I wish I could say that I have this down.  I still struggle.  I am a glutton.  I can’t fix it.  I trust the Lord to somehow give me victory over this and to satisfy the crying out of my soul. 

Entitlement

Proverbs 12:9 (KJV) He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

As I thought about the meaning of this verse and seemed to find something, I looked a little further down and saw verse 11.

Proverbs 12:11 (KJV) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain person is void of understanding.

They both seem to be heading in the same direction.  What kind of people are despised in our culture?  Generally people who work low-level jobs, who get dirty, work with their hands.  Of course the definitions of low-level would vary with the individual.  Working with your hands could be an artist or a toilet scrubber.  The point is that some people look down on them no matter how well off they are.

On the other hand, you have those who think very highly of themselves when they have no reason to.  We’ve all seen video clips of people who have degrees in such challenging topics as “women’s studies” and complaining because they can’t make six-figure incomes to start out.  They think that just because they are noble, wonderful people they deserve the best in life.  They honor themselves.  Unless they have parents letting them live in their basement, they lack bread.

So?  For most of us it’s a little late to change our direction in life.  We have established a course and are making progress.  At the same time maybe we need to evaluate our attitude towards others and their sense of entitlement.  Don’t feel guilty because you work hard and are able to support your family while the other person sleeps in and complains about how hard things are. 

Segue

Psalms 101:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of David.]] I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

As I started reading this Psalm, I noted it was written by David, and that he seemed to be rejoicing in the Lord.  That seems pretty obvious but after I got down a few verses it seemed to change, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on.  Then I realized that somewhere in this passage of scripture, it went from David talking about his joy to God expressing His perspective on His people.

If you have your Bible look down through it.  Toward the end, it is clear that it is God speaking.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could be so in tune in our worship, that God speaks to our hearts the way God spoke to David.  I don’t expect that we will start writing scripture, we are past that stage, but God can certainly speak to us.

So?  Worship.  Sing out.  Maybe write some things down.  Especially if you write things, it’s possible that God will go back and have you read it again later and again speak to your heart.  I wouldn’t advise publishing it as a new revelation.  God can speak to you through what He has already provided. 

Unredacted

Psalms 87:4 (KJV) I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

At first after reading this Psalm I just kind of shook my head and said, “What was this all about?”  I closed my Bible and said that was kind of a waste of time but then as I kept thinking about it I thought, “Now it is in the Bible. There must be a significant reason.”

Call me rationalizing.  Call me stretching.  The thing is, as I read this again, I began to realize that it was still in the Bible.  One of the things that haters often pontificate about is that the Bible is inconsistent or contradicts itself.  I would admit there are things that need to be worked out.  There are things that are hard to understand.  There are mysteries that honestly we probably can’t understand.  All that adds to the genuine nature of this being a book written over centuries by real people as God spoke to them.

As we look at various documents that we want the government to turn over and open up we get angry when they give us an entire page where everything is blocked out.  It is redacted to the point of the ridiculous.  God did not go back and re-edit the Bible to make us happy.  He gave it to us the way He wants us to have it. It is a genuine expression of what prophets heard, what Paul understood, and what Matthew meant to say.

So?  Read with confidence.  You may not understand it the first time, or the 10th time.  You can rest and the fact that this is what God wanted said. 

Angle on Repentance

Proverbs 9:6 (KJV) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

One of the trails my thinking is running down deals with salvation and what’s involved in it.  I’m thinking of words like justification, regeneration, faith, grace, and a word that I never thought was controversial, but evidently is, repentance.

Evidently there are some people that think that repentance is a work of the law and is not necessary.  I find that rather novel and naïve.  Why that comes to mind is that in looking at this verse I see an insight offered about what repentance involves.  Noticed that first word “Forsake”.  I always think of repentance as being a change in direction.  I believe that’s at part of the root of the word, turning.  This gives another view of it.  When you turn. when you change direction. you are forsaking things which have been important to you before.  You are forsaking your goals and possibly your dreams.

So?  Forsake in a sense means to let go.  I understand “let it go” as not just to release your hold upon the rope and sink into the sea but to transfer your grasp to something that will actually save you.  You’re letting go of your own ambitions, strength and wisdom, and instead trusting in God, and in the blood of Jesus.  Just another view of repentance. 

What Is Missing?

Psalms 74:7 (KJV) They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

This is a Psalm written by Asaph.  It is not David speaking.  It’s not Solomon.  As I read over this verse, it almost seems like this is written after the southern kingdom is hauled off into exile.  Noticed that the sanctuary, the temple, has been destroyed.  That’s just my observation.  I don’t know what the scholars say.

Israel is in dire straits.  The whole Psalm reads as a desperate people crying out to their God for refuge.  We know that God offers refuge.  We know that God has promised a willingness to redeem his people.  We know all of that.  So do they.  What is missing in this Psalm?

Repentance.  Confession.

There are plenty of attempts to manipulate God, and a desire to appeal to His ego.  It didn’t work for them.  And my point today is, it won’t work for us.

So?  Seek the Lord with a heart willing to confess and willing to repent.  God will meet us, but He doesn’t meet us when our arrogance colors the meeting. 

Mule Headed

Proverbs 7:11 (KJV) (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

What got my attention in this verse was the NASB’s translation of “rebellious” for the KJV “stubborn”.  We have a common bit of wisdom in our culture that teenagers are rebellious. I must confess that my son went through a very difficult time and rebellious would be a good description.  My daughter never came close.  When I look at my three brothers and I, I don’t see any genuine rebellion in our modern sense.

This is where the older translation gives us an insight into the meaning.  When you look at the Hebrew background of the word, the idea of being stubborn and refusing to respond or move is much more in line with the word itself.  This would point out to us that, even though we have accepted Christ and entered the faith, there can be a refusal to grow that cripples us and forces us into paths that God does not want us to follow.

So?  Extreme flexibility makes us open to all kinds of nonsense.  Extreme rigidity can lock us into foolish behavior.  In between is that living response to a living God. Stay on the living edge. 

In a Quarter of a Mile…

Proverbs 6:22 (KJV) When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

I don’t know if you’re one of those few Americans that have never used the GPS on your smart phone to help you get somewhere but what it does is talk to you.  When it’s working correctly, it will warn you ahead of time what is coming.  For instance, it will say, “In a quarter of a mile the road will split.  Stay in the right side and bear right.”  Now you have a choice to make.  You either follow those directions, or you don’t.  If you are totally ignoring the GPS then you have a 50-50 chance of getting the right direction but it’s pure chance.

If I’m playing a board game and rolling the dice, then pure chance is part of the game.  It throws in that unknown that brings excitement.  I don’t want to live my life that way, at least not in the important issues.  What this verse is saying is that God will give you the directions you need for the important decisions.  He will “lead” you.  Notice it doesn’t say force you, grab you by the nose and direct you, drag you kicking and screaming through the mud.  He says He will lead.

When you ignore the GPS or, for reasons unknown, go a different direction, the GPS will recalculate.  It will give you a new advice on how to get to where you said you were going.  God does the same thing.  Notice at the end it says when you get up He’s going to talk to you.

So?  Listen.  Decide.  God will give you the information you need.  The question is are you going to follow it?

Starving at Harvest

Proverbs 5:23 (KJV) He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

This is a sad indictment on the condition of so many people.  The question I would have is how can you have no “instruction” in the midst of so much information.  You see, this person that is going to die and who has gone astray is not in that situation because there is a lack of knowledge available.  He is there because he has refused to consider it honestly.

While I would consider that there are probably some people isolated enough not to know anything about Jesus, I don’t think that applies to anybody you know.  I know it doesn’t apply to anyone I know.  The problem is not a lack of knowledge.  The problem is the lack of willingness to accept that knowledge.  I am struck by what Jesus says in John chapter 3.

John 3:19 (KJV) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Jesus is talking about judgment and people being condemned.  The sad truth it shares is that people hate the light.

So?  You may have crossed over into the kingdom.  Praise God for that.  Pray for others around you that have not made that decision.  In your own life, keep seeking knowledge and wisdom, and allowing yourself to be instructing so that you can grow in grace. 

Be a Hugger

Proverbs 4:8 (KJV) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

I had to take a moment to look back to who the “she” was in this verse.  It turns out to be wisdom, and there is a promise about wisdom doing something for us.  However, the promise is dependent upon us doing something.  The word is translated as “embrace” in this spot but there are other places where it uses the word “hug”.  So keep in mind that you are supposed to be hugging wisdom.

Now by nature, I am not a hugger.  I am more comfortable shaking your hand, however, I endure it because I’m in a church that’s full of huggers.  They just can’t seem to help themselves.  That’s the kind of people they are.  So I go along with it and consider it part of my attempt to develop the spiritual gift of helps.  The point is, that’s the way we’re supposed to be with wisdom.  When you see it, reach out and pull it to you.

Another interesting fact here as I looked at the software is that this verb “embrace” is in the imperfect tense.  In the Hebrew that means an ongoing event.  It’s not just a one time thing.  It’s not just a matter of reading through Proverbs once or Psalms on occasion.  It’s a matter of continually reaching out and grabbing wisdom into your clutches.

So?  Read and embrace the truth so that it saturates your being.  That works best when it gets a good hug. 

Choices and Promises

Proverbs 3:3 (KJV) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Which is more important, grace or obedience?  I’m not sure that either one is optional or expendable.  Grace obviously is central.  It is only through the free gift of God that we can know salvation.  It is only through the free gift of His Holy Spirit that we can know power and direction.  But I use the word “free” loosely because there is always a condition attached.  Salvation is beyond our reach.  It’s something we cannot do so we trust in Him.  At the same time there are actions He expects from us.

That brings me to this verse and I see two very important words here.  First you chesed.  That is the word translated “mercy” or “kindness”.  Then you have “truth”.  These are two central words to the Old Testament and the concepts translate into the New Testament.  But notice that we are to “write them on our heart”.  God gives a gift.  We must apply it.  The verse starts off with “let not”.  That speaks vigilance.

So?  Don’t squander the gifts of God.  Draw close to Him.  Take the word, read it, understand it, and apply it.  That’s the only way you will get it onto the tablet of your heart. 

Eternal Hike

Proverbs 2:21 (KJV) For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

A part of me knows that this is a crazy interpretation, but when I read this, it seems to imply that those who live righteous lives will continue to dwell in the land.  That brings to mind the New Jerusalem.

What we like to call “heaven” is really the New Jerusalem on earth.  That is where eternity will be spent.  It will be the center of our existence, and I somehow feel will be able to take long walks in that land.

So?  There are all kinds of hints about where the righteous will spend eternity as opposed to where the wicked will be.  Hints are not declarations.  They are simply indications of possibilities.  The reality will be much better. 

One Way

Proverbs 1:31 (KJV) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Remember the gesture we used to make meaning “one way”?  Remember watching Billy Graham riding in a parade and holding up that index finger signifying, “one way”?  It was a glorious moment.  It meant the Jesus was the only way.  Unfortunately it was not something that the entire population adopted.  Tragically it wasn’t even something that the entire church adopted.

Notice the one way that the general population and the majority of Christians choose to follow.  It is called “their own way”.  There may be brief times where it seems to follow the path that God has laid out, but ultimately it branches off, and does its own thing.  It may even be so close to the actual “way” that you can’t tell the difference with a casual glance.  That is where you would look to the other verses in this chapter and get clarification.

So?  Are you walking in your way or His way?  Don’t settle for second best.  It is almost never too late to get on the right path.  I would say never too late, but I’m afraid I read the verses before this. 

An Obvious Secret

Psalms 73:26 (KJV) My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

Every time I read this Psalm this verse takes me by surprise.  Someone put it into a song which I love to sing.  It contrasts the outward struggle and the break downs that we face with the inner rock that keeps us from crumbling.

The word “strength” literally means rock.  It has the concept of the immovable and impenetrable object, which is attacked by the irresistible force of life.  There are times when I wonder why I seem to keep getting up and moving forward again and the answer is here in this New Testament concept.  It’s the concept of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It is the song we sing about Jesus being in our heart.

So?  Keep reaching down.  Keep reaching inside.  If you have met with God He will be there to be found.  And although He’s a rock, which is heavy, He will keep you floating and on top of the waves. 

Why Mow?

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

(Proverbs 29 also read)

It always surprises me the things that catch my eye and get my brain to going as I read.  Today as I was reading this and I saw the reference to mowing grass and of course my mind went to getting my mower blades sharpened and wondering if it would start up after the cold winter.  Somehow I don’t see that fitting in with Psalm 72.

My first thought was that Solomon, the author of this Psalm, was having people manicure his lawn.  I guess it’s possible.  It just didn’t seem like the way things would be.  Mowing a lawn with a scythe or a sickle would take forever, but I guess he had servants to do that.  But then my mind started thinking about the culture of the day.

Why would the ancient Israelites mow the grass?  Probably for the same reason that the farmers of the Midwest would mow their fields.  They were harvesting the grass for the winter seasons to feed their animals.  Usually grass doesn’t grow well when it’s cold out.  And if you’ve ever driven past a field full of bales of hay, or those big rolls of hay, you see the results of farmers mowing their fields.

So?  You can do things for ornamentation or you can do things for augmentation.  As we do the things that God wants you to do such as reading the Bible, praying, meditating, serving others, we can do them for ritual reasons, or we can do them to enrich our lives, and the lives of others. Motivation and attitude are really important. 

A Dove, Not a Chicken

Psalms 68:13 (KJV) Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

I have speculated on how some people think that God is a chicken because there are places where it talks about being covered by his wings.  I even think it talks about being chicks running under those wings, but that could just be my addition.  Here we see specifically that God is a dove, not a chicken.

Actually, I don’t think that is the point of this verse. What David is trying to get across is that God sheltered us in the past, shelters us today and will shelter us tomorrow.

So relax. He’s in charge and you are one of His concerns.

Guardrail

Proverbs 27:15 (KJV) A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

As I was reading through this chapter this morning, I began wondering about how the Bible speaks to us, and why the Bible speaks to us.  Much of what I was reading could’ve been written by almost anyone.  I picked out the verse today simply because it could have been written by Mark Twain, Ben Stein, or many other people.  But it wasn’t.  It was written by someone.  It was edited by God himself.

That makes it more than just part of a routine at Comedy Central.  It makes it something for us to carefully consider.  It makes it something for us to call upon the Holy Spirit to understand, interpret.  It becomes eternal wisdom.  In that way, it helps to direct us toward truth.  It becomes a guard rail or one of those hand rails that they put in the shower for us old people.  It becomes the card catalog that helps us to find answers that we couldn’t find on our own.

So?  Read and consider what God is trying to say.  He has something for you today.  Just because it’s raining today as I sit on the porch doesn’t mean that I have a contentious woman inside.  There may be another message for me.  I’m listening. 

Fools, Pro and Con

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

This verse is the last time in this chapter that the fool is mentioned.  It’s quite a display of knowledge and wisdom about fools.  Every time I read this, though, I think of what Jesus had to say about calling people a fool.

Matthew 5:22 (KJV)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

I have had this statement by Jesus thrown at me as a proof having something to do with the place of the law with Jesus supporting the law.  That I can deal with.  The issue to me is this seeming contradiction.  Jesus seems to be saying, don’t call people a fool, while Solomon in Proverbs has a long section about fools.  How do we work this out?

Just a quick observation is that Jesus is really not dealing with calling people fools.  He is dealing with controlling your anger.  Solomon is dealing with a general awareness of where people are coming from.

So?  Have the discernment to recognize fools when you see them.  Adjust how you deal with them.  That’s what Solomon is saying.  At the same time, don’t stand there and scream in their face, “Fool!”  It’s how wisdom works.  It’s how discernment works.  It’s how interpreting scripture works. 

Tone Deaf God

Psalms 66:18 (KJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

(Proverbs 25 also read)

I know you don’t want to hear this.  I know you don’t wanna admit it exists.  In spite of that, it still says what it says.  There are certain conditions in which God will not listen.

This is a scary thought so let’s try and break it down a little bit.  I looked at the different words using my software and the word “regard” is most often translated “see”.  So it has the idea of if I see iniquity, God will not hear.  “Iniquity” is a word which is different from the basic word “sin” but I don’t see anything significant to break it down for me.

On the one side because we know that we have a tendency towards sin it can’t mean that.  If it did, God would never listen.  So it must mean that if we take the time to examine ourselves and see that we are living in a condition of rebellion against God and we still try to pray without repentance, God will not listen.

So?  Since I believe that God is always wanting to hear us and always wanting us to come into His presence, I have to conclude that this is an admonition to us to take the time to consider our hearts, and to think about my love for God.  He will listen if we are sincere, which involves repentance and honesty with ourselves. 

Tense Moments

Proverbs 24:12 (KJV) If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

As I was comparing the two translations of this verse, I noticed that the last word is plural in the KJV and singular in the NASB.  In looking at the software tools, it seems that the singular is the accurate translation.

It’s amazing how a simple “S” can make a difference in the meaning of a word.  I’ve noticed this in other places.  What is the difference between “work” and “works”?  The singular word is much broader.  It talks about the direction of life and the emphasis of life and the overall mechanics of who you are and what you’re doing.  The plural simply becomes a list of things you’ve done.  The singular talks about your attitude.  The plural talks about the actions.

So?  I’m thinking of this word in terms of Paul’s constant concern about the works of the law.  I think what is being said here is much broader.  I think this is saying that God will deal with us not on whether we checked off our list of activities, but what our ultimate and broader goal is.  I trust that the goals in your life are those of God. 

Picture That

Psalms 65:3 (KJV) Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I know what this says when I read it in English, but when I looked into the Hebrew for “purge”, I found that it had a certain root and word picture, which might be clear to the Hebrew, but doesn’t compute with me.  The most common translation of this word is “atonement”.  It has a root meaning, which is “to be covered with pitch”.  We can’t relate to that too well today because we don’t cover things with pitch.

As I was looking at how the word was used, it was interesting that the first place it was appearing in the scripture was when it said that Noah covered the ark with pitch.  I assume that the reason for that was to make it watertight.  I wonder when a Hebrew would think of this meaning as atonement if he didn’t think of it as some way of keeping the penalty or the punishment for sin out.

So?  It’s translated in the NASB as “forgive”. I don’t see forgiveness, making us immune to future sins and failures, but I do see it, making us immune to the penalty of past sins.  I assume that’s enough to let me make it into the kingdom in eternity. 

Hidden Grace

Proverbs 22:1 (KJV) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

When I first started looking at this verse, and noticed the word “favor” as used in the KJV, I thought I was going to find the Hebrew chesed which means “loving kindness”.  That is one of my favorite concepts in the Old Testament.  At first, I was disappointed because it was a different Hebrew word.  But then I recognized that Hebrew word as the Old Testament equivalent of “grace”.

It’s an interesting way of expressing the idea of grace.  The Hebrew word here is translating as “favor” and it’s most common translation in the KJV is “grace”.  But when you put it together, I’ve never seen these two ideas in the same verse, or at least noticed them.

So?  Grace is present through the entire Bible.  God’s love is moving and active and touching upon every aspect of our lives.  What a reason to rejoice. 

The Fallow Heart

Proverbs 21:4 (KJV) An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

As I read this in the KJV, I wondered what it meant when it said the plowing of the wicked.  I couldn’t get anywhere with that.  When I looked at the Hebrew word, the basic idea is fallow ground.  It’s used just a few times in scripture and usually refers to the field that has not been plowed.  The idea is it has a hard crust and it is impossible for crops to be planted or to grow.

So the picture is that the heart of the wicked is rigid and inflexible and he’s not allowed God and his Holy Spirit to make any progress in breaking it down into the heart of flesh.

I wonder how often we either fall into that trap or start moving towards it by refusing to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  We get into routines.  We have a structured life that gives us no flexibility.  God wants us to do something new, or wants to do a new thing in us, and all we can do is say, “I shall not be moved”.

So?  Don’t be one of those that are condemned for being so open to change that you have no discernment, but at the same time as you read the Bible, as you listen to sermons, as you read other books, listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Take what you hear and compare it with the written word, and see if there’s a new plowing, a new breaking up of clods that needs to happen in your heart and mind. 

Near Death Loving Kindness

Psalms 63:3 (KJV) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

OK, I wasn’t near death.  All I was was in the ER trying to figure out why I was out of contact with my sense of balance.  But at my age, you never know when that other shoe will drop and the end will come.  I find great reassurance in the knowledge that even in the midst of a CAT scan or an MRI I am reveling in the loving kindness of God.

Like many small churches, mine has a large number of people who are elderly.  And by that I mean more elderly than I am.  Some people say, “Oh no, just old people”.  I say what a rejoicing atmosphere to see people who are still in love with the Lord, after all those years and all those trials.  Why?  Because they know the love and kindness of God.

So?  You may just have a splinter in your finger.  You may have a major tragedy in your life.  And all those situations just remember how this Psalm was adapted to a song and sing it to yourself, “Thy loving kindness is greater than life,...” 

Basic Requirements

Psalms 79:6 (KJV) Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

If you look at the first couple verses of this Psalm, you realize that it could not have been written before the exile of the southern kingdom.  There was no temple until Solomon, and to my knowledge, it was not destroyed until the Babylonians came.  So we are talking late in Israel’s history.

The call of Asaph is for God to pull their chestnuts out of the fire and restore them to whatever he thinks they had before.  I guess that’s a natural desire.  But you notice there are two things here that he is leaning on.  First is a knowledge of God.  Second is calling upon His name.  There is no indication in this Psalm that either one of these are enough.

I continue to see a lack of repentance and personal confession.  He admits that his ancestors were disobedient rebels but there’s nothing about him.  There’s nothing about his contemporaries.

So?  When calling upon God and calling upon His name make sure that your call is based upon the right requirements.  God doesn’t want to just hear empty words.  He wants to hear the cry of a contrite heart.  He doesn’t play games.  He waits to respond to the right call. 

On a High

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

This is a beautiful, poetic verse.  It throws a canopy of warmth and security over my mind and my soul.  But as I contemplate on it, I ask myself just what does this mean?  How can a name make me safe?

First of all, consider, the name of the Lord. There are three different names that come to me across the length of the Bible.

Yahweh, used here meaning I Am
Emmanuel, meaning God with us
Jesus, meaning Savior

Put that together, and we are running into an awareness and a reminder that the God who is has come to be with us, and to save us.

And then take that word safe.  Many translations, make that “uplift”.  The word has a root meaning of high, being lifted high.  So when we come to the name of the Lord and contemplate who He is, and what His name promises, it lifts us high and gives us a different perspective on the world around us.

So?  Perspective is very important.  If you’re in the middle of a maze, it’s hard to know which way to turn.  If you are above the maze, you can trace out the proper direction without even moving and if you have both perspectives you can safely weave your way through . Life is a maze.  God is a high tower.  He will give us the direction we need. 

I Heard You the First Time

Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

In the past when I’ve read this verse, I tend to think of it as dealing with gossip.  That may have been the original intent, but today when I read it, it spoke to me of something else.  Have you ever been around someone who constantly repeats the same stories about your past failures?  Often these are the gems of family reunions, where people look back with fondness of the time where Uncle George threw up over the Thanksgiving turkey.  At the time it was a tragedy and incredibly vulgar.  As it ripens with age, it becomes a moment of hilarity, and Uncle George joins in the laughter because it’s based on love and warmth.  We know those things.  Often times Uncle George will bring it up himself.

I’m talking more about the way in which certain people will always bring up something that may not have even happened but “remember” it in such a way that it makes you look like the bad guy.  Maybe it was the time where you were accused of being late to something and causing a catastrophe because of your lateness.  What they don’t remember is that you were late because of something they did, not because you didn’t plan ahead.

These stories don’t come between you and other friends.  They are designed to come between you and the person telling them.

So?  First, forgive.  That’s the basis of love.  It’s a basic of relationships.  The Lord’s Prayer points out that we will be forgiven as we forgive.  Second, stop listening.  Once you’ve decided that the story is just an attempt to get under your skin, then let it go and get on with life.  Focus on the love of God and what He’s done for you and what He wants to do for you.  It makes a difference. 

Rewards

Psalms 54:4 (KJV) Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

David is going through a difficult time according to the introduction to this Psalm.  And then in this verse and the next we have two groups of people introduced.  In this verse we have people who uphold him.  In the next, we have those who are described as enemies.  I don’t know that I have any enemies, but I do know that there are people who are supportive of me.

This of course was originally written to David.  It applies specifically to him, but the principal that is shared here was meant to be applied to our lives.  Let’s not worry about the enemies right now.  I don’t know that I have any real enemies.  I’m not sure I’ve ever had any real enemies.  There might be people that don’t particularly care about me but I don’t know that there have been any out to get me, except for the cat course.

We are told to pray for enemies.  I think the point here is that we should also be praying for those who are our friends.  We should be asking God’s blessing upon those who serve him alongside us.

So?  Make sure you pray for the good guys.

I Don’t Like This Comparison

Proverbs 15:19 (KJV) The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

But then God isn’t asking me if I like it.  He’s just telling me what it is.  This entire chapter of Proverbs is contrasting different types of people.  I have no trouble when it contrasts the upright with the wicked, but here it gets really personal.  This says that the person who takes too many naps is contrasted with the righteous.

Of course, the question comes down to my paraphrasing.  Is sloth the same as too many naps?  And then we get into sophistry.  How many is too many?  Do you know the old question rewritten, “How many naps can dance on the head of a pin?”

But the real conflict is not established by how many part-time jobs you have in the afternoon or whether you keep your yard up perfectly.  The conflict is the one between the person who is following God’s path or taking the side trail that is less demanding and leaves more time for “personal fulfillment”.

So?  It’s never too late to stop and examine your priorities and your schedule.  What do they reflect?  Sloth or righteousness? 

Clues of Eternity

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

There are some scholars who like to claim that the Old Testament has no belief in the afterlife.  That’s obviously an opinion.  Even in the days of Jesus you have the Sadducees and Pharisees.  One believed in the afterlife, one didn’t.  So the discussion went on even then.

If you do not believe in an afterlife, if the Bible does not teach an afterlife, then what is this?  “Hope” is talked about here.  There is a hope in the face of death.  The word is usually translated “trust”.  The point for us is even when we face death we can trust.

I don’t know if your church has a time were you share prayer requests but one of the things that keeps coming up in our church are people who are facing medical issues moving towards death.  It is reality.  As human beings death is one of those things along with taxes that we can count on, assuming Jesus doesn’t return first.

So?  Live in hope.  Live in trust.  God will be there on the other side for us.