Interesting Combination

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

I am wondering if I have noticed this before, but I see this phrase “law of kindness”.  I wondered if this is that Hebrew word I enjoyed so much, chesed. I looked it up and, yes, it is.  This is the word translated “loving kindness”.

It seems to me that you have here juxtaposition two opposing concepts.  On the one hand you have the law, which is often thought it was being cold and impersonal.  That’s not really a good analysis because in Psalms and Proverbs, the law is lifted up as a wonderful thing, but that’s how many think of it.  Contrasting with that as this idea of loving kindness, mercy, and grace.

I like the idea that we as believers are to be guided by the law of kindness.  It goes along with the definition of love that Paul gives us.  It is a basic quality of God himself.

So?  Looking at this idea of a law of kindness, and find a way to work it into our daily interactions with other people.  

Source of Hope

Psalms 5:7 (KJV) But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

The idea being expressed at least through the second half of this chapter is the way in which God reaches out to those who are called righteous.  What is it that makes them righteous?  A couple of things in this verse.  They come into His temple.  They set their face and direct their feet with a specific desire to be in the presence of God.

Second, they can count on what the KJV calls the multitude of his mercy.  “Mercy” again is that word “loving kindness”, chesed.  That part should be obvious.  What I would like to point out for those of you who are locked into the Old Testament being a pool of law and legalism, the law is not mentioned at all in this chapter.  Loving kindness is mentioned, as is translated mercy.  Righteousness is mentioned . And the source of that is found in the love of God.

So?  Recognize grace when you see it.  God does not have to love us.  In spite of what He doesn’t have to do He still does.  Here rooted in the Old Testament is a reminder that we approach Him, and He responds to us, not because of the law, but because of His character. 

Foundations of Justice

Proverbs 29:26 (KJV) Many seek the ruler's favour; but every  man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

There is a reason why social justice will never bring about social justice.  It’s based on the favor of the ruling class.  It constantly changes in its definition.  It has absolutely nothing to do with justice, according to standards that matter.

The culture or society that even begins to come close to having real justice, will do so because at the root of their decisions, standards, laws and procedures is the idea of God’s justice.  God’s justice does not fluctuate with every wind of change.  It does not get more fluid in hot temperatures.  It is not become unresponsive when things get frigid.  God’s justice is above all of that.

So?  What are your plans for today?  What do you think you’re going to do tomorrow?  What will be the basis of the decisions you make?  Be sure that it is based upon the judgment of God, and not on the most recent headline on the Internet.  

Incoming

Psalms 4:4 (KJV) Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

I have just finished almost a full week of having company in my home and being in constant dialogue.  It was almost impossible to not be talking to someone.  Of course, part of that is listening, but I always have something to add.  Getting the last word is so important especially when what you have to say is so important.

Today is the first morning that I have not expected someone to come out and join me on the front porch or to head me off on my way.  Today was a day to get back into listening mode.  Today it was time to start freezing my mouth and lubricating my ears, in a spiritual way, of course.

So?  God wants to speak to us.  He wants to communicate not only truth but encouragement and direction.  That’s hard to do if we don’t listen.  I need to get back in that mood today.  

Who Is That in the Mirror?

Proverbs 27:22 (KJV) Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

It would seem that fools never learn.  It would seem that they constantly knock their heads against the same branch and trip over the same root.  We have all met these kind of people.  They are all around us.  We can’t avoid them.

What do we do when we see them in the mirror?

As I read this this morning, the Lord impressed upon me how often I have had to relearn the same lessons.  I know that there are times when walking away from a confrontation just leads to deeper problems.  I tend to walk away anyway.  I know the tire needs more air, but I convinced myself that it will go one more day.  I’m sure that if I wanted to embarrass myself, I could give you many more examples.

So?  I need to get in the habit of applying these lessons to myself, and not just worrying about you.  Oh, I will still worry about you, but I need to make sure that’s not just an excuse to ignore my own shortcomings.  

The Depths of Fools

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

Reading through this chapter, there are repeated references to fools.  I found myself wondering, “Do I actually know anybody that I think is a fool?”  I drew up a blank slate.  I couldn’t think of anybody that I would just assume was a fool, at least not in my personal circle.  I could think of a lot of politicians, celebrities, reporters, authors, and so forth, but not in my personal circle.

So I looked a little deeper into what is a fool?

I’m looking at the definition of the Hebrew word it seems to focus on people who are shallow, stupid, and lacking in understanding of anything.  I think there’s a nuance that says that this is a choice and not a condition.  So who are these fools?

I think the people we need to be careful of are the ones who think they know a lot, but are really empty sacks.  We might also consider that there needs to be a bit of caution in our own hearts about sharing great wisdom, which we don’t really possess.

So?  This is where it comes home to me.  I’m not so much worried about other people being fools as I am about avoiding the condition myself.  And this is where you bring in other references, which talks about listening more than talking or being slow to speak.  Growth can be painful, but it’s better than the opposite.  

Routine Praise

Psalms 148:3 (KJV) Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

How does the sun praise God?  How does the moon praise God?  How does a star praise God?  You can go through this whole storm asking that question.

If you were a farmer in the hill country of Israel, assuming farmers could farm in the hill country, you would probably have enough superstitions, myths, and traditions, to actually believe that the sun and moon were sentient.  You might have had no problem with these statements.

Today on the other hand, we look at it a little differently.  Unless you happen to be one of those who worship Gaia and assume that the planet has a personality, you think of these things as just big balls of fire or big rocks.  You don’t give them the ability to praise.  So is this just a literary device?  Is it just poetry?

If I’m searching for an actual accurate application I might come up with a thought that the sun praises God by doing what it was created to do.  Take that thought and run it down the list.  Then apply it to us as human beings.

So?  One of the greatest ways that we can praise God is by living as He would have us to live, and give Him the credit in the glory for it.  I love it in Texas when someone says, “Have a blessed day.”  It reflects the glory of God.  

More Two Edges

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?

Do you have any idea how much people hate that last phrase used here by David in the book of Proverbs, which is in the Bible.  That little phrase of “according to this works”, appears repeatedly, and you may not have noticed it, but the last words of Jesus are very similar.

Revelation 22:12 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

But notice how Proverbs balances this. The key here is not that He watches what we do because it’s not the actual tasks themselves which are judged, but it is what is going on in your heart. This is where grace and mercy and the work of the Holy Spirit come in.

So?  Yes, we are expected to live a certain way, but keep in mind that just living that certain way, although required, is not what saves us.  It is the blood of Jesus and the work of God in our hearts.  

When?

Psalms 146:7 (KJV) Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoner:

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I find myself echoing the words of David in other places, “How long, O Lord?”  I’ve read statements like this many times, and just accept them as statements of truth.  I still accept them as statements of truth because they’re in the word.  At this point though I’m not sure how to understand them or to interpret them.

When has the Lord loosened prisoners?  I can think of Paul, being in jail, and having all the chains fall off, but no one escaped.  I can think of the saints resurrected on the day of the crucifixion.  I can come up with all kinds of possible explanations, but nothing comes to mind that is a literal fulfillment of the statement.

In that case I need to, shall we say, spiritualize a little bit.  We have countless testimonies of believers who have been locked up in jail, or confined for speaking about the freedom that they feel in Christ.  I accept that.  I think that is an application, but it does not fulfill the literal statement.

Then I did something I rarely do.  I looked through the commentary sources on my software.  I found several solid examples starting with Israel being set free from Egypt.  I guess it helps to look a little deeper sometimes.

So?  One of the great joys of reading and studying the word is it gives us many things to meditate on, and many answers to find.  Some of them we will find in this life.  So we will not know until we reach eternity.  I remain convinced that the answers will come.  

Word Power

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

In this verse we see a kind of a change of direction in the comments.  This is the beginning of where Solomon reviews the effect of our words.  Notice that “word” is not used in this verse, but it does talk about us as “scorners".  A scorner scorns with his words.  I guess you could also use looks and gestures, but what we say is certainly a part of that.

The use of words continues to come up through the rest of the chapter.  Words are powerful things.  It’s probably a safe statement to say that we need to be more careful in what we say, and how we say it.  That would start with examining our hearts and our motives.  It would involve taking a moment to think before we speak.  It would demand that we seriously consider effects of our casual comments and words.

So?  I am certainly guilty of humor that injures people.  I’m guilty of speaking out of turn or too impulsively.  My God have mercy on me and on you. 

Twofer

Proverbs 21:31 (KJV) The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

There are two simple lessons given to us in this verse. The first one is the obvious one, God is the source of our security, both now and forever.  I think we all acknowledge that at least intellectually.  Often we don’t feel it emotionally, but we need to keep reminding ourselves that God is in charge.

The other one we might miss and that is that we are supposed to be preparing our horses.  You’ll notice that it doesn’t say that God is going to preserve you if you sleep in.  Earlier in verse 25 it talks about how lazy hands will cause you’re death.  This is another extension of that.  We are expected to be faithful on our behavior and serious about living, godly lives.

So?  Our trust is in the Lord.  Part of that trust is expressed by living upright and righteous lives.  He will enable us not only to live according to his standards but to live forever with him. 

Long Range Planning

Proverbs 20:4 (KJV) The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

I’m not a farmer, nor do I ever plan to be a farmer.  I’ve never plowed, nor do I plan to ever plow.  I think the short term application of this though is clear.  We need to prepare for next year’s harvest.

But this morning this reached out to me in a different way.  I got to thinking about how I ask myself, “What is my purpose in life?”  When you get up into the last decade of life, there’s not a lot of long-term planning that you get into because after all, it’s almost over for you.  I think part of the thinking in this first though, is that we are not just planning for ourselves, but for future generations.

We need to continue struggling with the issues of life.  It’s not that we will live to see the results but we have children and grandchildren.  If you haven’t either of those, then you probably have nieces and nephews.  If you’re so limited in relatives then consider the extended body of Christ.

So?  How does that plan apply today?  It’s going to be different for each of us.  The key is don’t give up.  Don’t think you have no contribution to make.  Think of the old man who plants apple trees that will not bear fruit for years.  He’s investing in the future.  

You Are What You Hear

Proverbs 19:27 (KJV) Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

I first read this in the NASB and noticed that when I compared what I had read to the KJV there was a real difference in what was being said.  One seems to say if we cease listening to instruction, then we will err.  The other says that listening to the wrong instruction will cause us to err, and we should stop.

I’m not a Hebrew scholar.  So I can’t get into the intricacies.  What I did was I went to the listing of the words and just read them off in order and the older translation is much more accurate than the new one.

So?  If you find that people you were listening to are edging you away from the truth then it’s time to stop listening.  The same could be said about what we read.  Seek truth.  Don’t allow your mind to be watered down with fantasy and error.  

The Rudder of the Spirit

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

I currently do not have any infirmity that I am aware of.  Of course, at my age any ache or pain creates concern.  What spoke to me in this verse?  Today it is my awareness of others who are struggling with real physical issues and yet continue to have a positive attitude about life.  That attitude is not based on this life but the belief that there is life beyond the grave.  It’s based on knowing the Life Giver.  And that belief is expressed in the witness of the Spirit Himself.

I’m thinking particularly of one lady in our church who is in her last days unless God works a miracle.  There comes a time for all of us to die so as we get older perhaps we are less concerned about the miracle as the attitude we have as we draw to a close.  This lady has an awesome attitude.  She is an inspiration.  Even the pastor who went to minister to her, felt like he had been ministered to.  That is the spirit that we all have available to us.

So?  Got problems?  You most likely have nothing compared to what this lady is going through and what other saints are dealing with.  Or maybe you do.  Either way, God is available to give you the faith and the power you need.  Live in victory even if you are almost at that transition point.  

Focal Point

Proverbs 17:24 (KJV) Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

(I almost missed today.)

 One of the jokes that stands out in my mind is the wise man, who said that he and his wife have an understanding that he deals with the big things in life, and she deals with the small things.  He then goes on to explain that he’s in charge of the national debt, world peace, and the space program.  Just about everything else is hers.

Sometimes we make our lives along the lines of this joke.  We spent so much time focusing on things that we I have no control over.  We worry about the Middle East.  We worry about corruption in government.  We worry about things that in which we have no say.  Oh, that’s OK to be concerned about those things but not to get eaten up by them.

Our focus needs to be on those things which are right before us.  That involves our family budget not the spending of the United States.  It involves being kind to our neighbors and not worrying about whether Israel and its neighbors get along.  It’s about applying the love chapter in our daily walk, rather than worrying about whether the rapture is pre-millennial or post millennial.

So?  Listen to what God has to say to you today.  Read.  Contemplate.  Listen.  Live in Joy.  

First Thought

Micah 6:8 (NASB95) He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

After a simple, good morning Lord and a reminder that I love God, what is the verse that pops into my mind today?  It is Micah 6:8 which is what I listed above and I listed it in the NASB because that’s how I think of it.

It is a verse that is often quoted and referred to because it is so key to how we live our day.  Justice refers to our relationship with our culture and society.  Kindness refers to how we treat individuals around us.  Ultimately our goal is to walk with humility side-by-side with our God.

My default is to say side-by-side.  There’s a very real sense in which we follow God’s leading, but from the days in the Garden of Eden God has wanted us to be creatures who walked beside him, sharing our lives and basking in His glory.  It is not a position of honor.  It is a position of trust and humility.  It’s how we work as a family of God.

So?  Rejoice in your marching orders for the day.  Look forward to making a real difference even if you don’t see anything.  

Well, Maybe One

Psalms 15:2 (KJV) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

If you were one of those to question the meaning of Romans 3:10 and the beginning of the previous chapter, then this is a good verse for you to read.  Those other locations are often quoted to say that there’s no one who ever acts in a righteous way, and yet here, in this chapter, just a few verses later, you see someone described who walks uprightly, who works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.  This is the definition of the righteous, of the one who does good.

We have to work out a theology that makes use of both of these.  Yes, there is a sense in which we are all sinners.  Yes, there is a sense and which we can live righteous and upright lives.  And if you read it correctly, and think correctly, both of them makes sense.

So?  Again I say, I call it gestalt theology.  That means that you take the entire Bible into consideration and not just lift out your favorite verses to reinforce your traditions and theological system.  Welcome to the kingdom.  

Fools Need Not Apply

Psalms 14:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.]] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

This verse along with Psalm 51 and Romans 3 get me scratching my head every time.  I work it through and then the next time I see it I have to figure it again.  The popular interpretation of this verse does not work.  I know it seems to say that there is no one who ever has done anything right or good, but that doesn’t work with the rest of the chapter.

Take verse five,

Psalms 14:5 (KJV) There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

If no one does good, how can there be a righteous generation?

Today my solution comes with re-reading verse one and concluding that the ones who are corrupt and the ones who have no good in them are the fools described at the beginning of the verse.  People who say that there is no God are incapable of doing good.

So?  However, you interpret the verse, keep in mind that God has called us to live righteous and holy lives not to sin more so that grace may abound more.  I read that somewhere.  

Extol?

Psalms 145:1 (KJV) [[David's [Psalm] of praise.]] I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

It occurred to me as I began reading that I wasn’t totally sure with the word “extol” meant.  I did what we are supposed to do as we read any literature, let alone scripture:  I looked it up.  It has to do with lifting up, exulting, praising, speaking highly of, you can go on from there.  We are to lift up God forever and ever.

Of course, my mind gets skeptical even in things like this.  I ask myself how can I as a finite, fleshly, recently released from sin human being, extol the eternal Master and Maker of the universe?  It seems like an empty gesture.  It’s almost like the tiny curly bug which my grandson plays around with called him “good looking”.  Who cares if an insect thinks you’re good looking?

Don’t forget God’s point of view.  He created us.  He created us in His own image.  We know that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  We have this totally unique relationship with the God of the universe.  And He wants our prayers.

So?  Take a moment, and lift up the God of the universe.  You won’t be able to lift him very high, but there are many times where it is our attitude and effort, not our ability.  

The Process of Inspiration

Proverbs 12:28 (KJV) In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway therefor there is no death.

I don’t know what the scholars would say, but let’s assume for our discussion that Solomon wrote this chapter of Proverbs.  Sometimes the Bible will tell us, other times it’s open to our speculation, but for today this is Solomon writing.

What must have gone through Solomon’s mind as he wrote this?  It’s possible that he was thinking figuratively and talking about the quality of life, but it doesn’t seem probable.  It would seem to me as I read this that the message is clear about life after death.  If we want to know life after death, then righteousness is the avenue that we must follow.

Some people like to say that the ancient Hebrews did not believe in an afterlife.  Personally, I think this works against that idea.  Was Solomon aware of all that he was saying or was God just directing him to put this down?

So?  Keep in mind that inspiration works in multiple ways.  First of all it has to do with the actual writing.  After that we have the process of handing down the scripture, preserving it.  Then we have what it says to us as we actually read it and the Holy Spirit ministers to us.  Read.  Meditate.  Apply.  

How Is It Possible?

Proverbs 11:31 (KJV) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Once again, this word “righteous” just keeps coming up.  This time it’s in Proverbs.  Other times it’s in Psalms.  The word is not isolated to these two books.  And yet we have people quoting Paul saying that there are none righteous.

A recurring problem we have when reading the Bible is that we are dealing with the translation.  This is common to many books.  It is especially a problem with the Bible when we take the meanings that we attach to our modern words and try to automatically transfer them over to the Bible without thinking about what the original Hebrew or Greek actually is trying to convey.  I think that’s part of what we’re dealing with with the idea of righteousness.

We tend to think of righteousness in a moral sense.  While the moral sense is included, the basic idea behind the Hebrew is justice.  It involves a straight up allegiance to the law.  It involves possibly fairness but not in our modern sense of fairness when we say, “That’s not fair”.  It is very possible to live a moral life in most areas and to be rejecting justice and thus rejecting righteousness.

So?  So live a righteous life.  Pay your bills.  Be quiet after 10 o’clock at night.  Don’t start up your jackhammer before eight in the morning.  Park between the lines.  Execute serial killers.  It has many applications. We can do this, because God makes it possible.  

Skip the Trial

Psalms 143:2 (KJV) And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

This is a great verse for “out of context with a fly-by technique”.  What I mean by that is you emphasize the final statement and ignore the total verse and other verses that relate to it.

This could easily be quoted as a proof text that there is no one who has ever been righteous or who ever will be righteous.  That could be used as a foundation for saying that we cannot live a holy life and that sinning is something we are locked into every day in word, thought and deed.  In fact, it has been used for that.  That is not the point of this verse.  Notice the beginning of the verse.  He’s talking here about God judging us, about God putting us on trial.  And the clear statement is that compared to God and His holiness none of us have any hope

Fast forward to the words of Jesus,

John 3:18 (KJV) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Through Jesus, and His shed blood, we can have forgiveness, restoration, regeneration.  We can be born again.

So?  If you are walking with Jesus, you have no fear of the judgment.  If you are living in the power of the spirit you have no fear of the judgment.  Our justification is not a matter of comparing us to the eternal holiness of God in our natural sinful state.  Fear not. 

Jailbreak

Psalms 142:7 (KJV) Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

David has an interesting expression here, his soul is in prison.  Now I think we can assume he is still alive.  He is not traveling to Sheol.  He’s not in the grave.  He’s not locked up in some Philistine gaol.  This is a spiritual or emotional or psychological situation.  If we were just looking at the Bible and didn’t have our modern terminologies, I would simply say he’s having a bad day spiritually.

Have you ever had a bad day spiritually?  I assume that’s a rhetorical question.  Maybe you’re one of those rare individuals that never has had a down moment.  I accept that.  Most of us however, have had down days.  We should feel free to ask God to lift us out of that.

At the same time I can’t help but feel that perhaps David is getting the cart before the horse.  Or I could be just looking for some technique that brings renewal.  I will do just that.  I will suggest you take the second half of this verse and spend some time in praise about who God is and what He’s done for you.  Somehow, I think that will open up channels for His Spirit to refresh you.

So?  Don’t wallow in the pond of despair or whatever Pilgrim called It.  I enjoy the words of that chorus which went, “Reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you.”  

The Attribute of Wisdom

Proverbs 8:22 (KJV) The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

One of the puzzles that keeps coming to my attention is the place of wisdom in creation.  If you read down through this chapter, you find that it seems wisdom is there at the beginning, and is a part of the creation process.  There is a tendency to personify wisdom.  That is a mistake because wisdom is not God.  Wisdom is not the fourth person of the trinity.  What I see happening here is that the attribute of God, wisdom, is involved in the creation process.

When I look at the universe around me, I think of the creativity of God.  I see it from my front porch in the oak trees, the wild flowers, even in the dandelions and weeds.  Creativity is an attribute in my mind.  I think I would add to that creativity takes place in the context of wisdom.  It’s not just a matter of seeing what kind of wild and crazy ideas you can come up with.  It is a matter of assembling all of this, in an attitude of wisdom.

So?  As we go through our day it’s not just a matter of seeing how creative we can be or what kind of bright ideas we can have.  It is a matter of us taking the wisdom of God which He offers to us and applying it to our unique situations.  Of course, we need to apply it to the every day situations that everyone faces, especially to the unique ones. 

Plan for the Day

(Pro 7:8 KJV)  Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

If you look through this chapter in Proverbs, you see the story of a young man who is seduced by a married woman whose husband is out of town, and the end of the story is that his soul is lost to hell.  At least that is a common way of reading it and interpreting it.  I will grant you that parts of this are true and accurate.

The woman was out looking for some action.  It is clear that she knows her husband is going to be gone for a while and that she has a clear field for her operation.  She is out on the prowl.  That much is clear.  She has her house all set up for a night of wild abandon, and she is ready to go.  All she needs is someone to fill the role of seduced.

Enter the young man.  Some might think that he is the innocent victim.  In a sense he is a victim because if he had found no one to fill the spot in his soul, he would have gone home frustrated.  However, this verse tells us that he took the path to her house.  I guess it’s possible that this was just a coincidence.  It may have been an accident.  Or maybe it wasn’t.

We can’t know for sure with him.  We can know for sure with us.  We can know what our ultimate goal is for the day.  We can know that certain pathways will not get us to our goal if our goal is righteous.  We can know that certain behaviors will make it impossible to reach a goal of righteousness.

So?  What is your goal for the day?  Where do you want to be when the sun goes down?  Do you have a choice of paths?  Choose prayerfully.  Choose wisely . Choose with eternity in mind. 

Yes, Virginia, There Is Evil

Proverbs 6:12 (NKJV) A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;

Somewhere this week, I read that letter that was written, assuring Virginia that there was a Santa Claus.  That came to mind today as I was reading this verse.  We tend to be surrounded by doubters.  These doubters look at what is obvious, they look at the teachings of the Bible, they listen to the wisdom of their elders, and then decide all people are basically good.  They decide that it is society that is the problem and that we have to do away with all of the established norms in order to set the goodness in us free.

Not so fast.

The Bible is very clear that there are “worthless” people.  There is evil, and there are evil people.  At the same time, we are told to turn the other cheek, to witness with gentleness and reverence, and to be courteous.  None of those do away with the fact that most of the people we work with are on the side of evil, and although they don’t radiate the fact, they themselves are lost in sin.

So?  No one ever said it would be easy.  We are seeking to live the righteous life.  In doing so we become a target of those who hate righteousness and who reject the holiness of God.  Make sure you’re on the right side.  

Grow Up

Proverbs 5:13 (KJV) And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

I can’t help but believe that what is being described here is the common condition of the majority of children in school.  There may be a time when we actually listen to our teachers, but we seem to grow out of that.  By the time we are teenagers we are daydreaming and lost in our own little world.  It seems to be a common condition.

As an adult I have to struggle with this when I am in certain situations.  One of those is in the morning worship time when someone is preaching.  I don’t mind the rabbit trails of the Holy Spirit leading me on as something is said that stimulates my thinking.  That’s not a problem.  I’m still listening to the Great Teacher.  It’s when I start to tune out the person who is speaking with the assumption that they have nothing to say to me.

In this verse not obeying is mentioned first, and then not listening.  I’m not sure that’s the order in real life but it will do.

So?  Give people a careful listen.  Usually they deserve it.  Usually you need it.  This goes for that irritating relative also.  

Choose Your Speed

Proverbs 4:12 (KJV) When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Notice that there are two different speeds mentioned here.  The first is “goest” which seems to mean to walk because it is contrasted with the second, which is “run”.  Are these deliberate choices or are they things beyond our control?  I know that when I am on a downhill slope, I tend to walk a bit faster than when I am on level ground and a lot faster than when I am going uphill.  I also tend to walk slower when it’s dark or when there are many things making it necessary to be careful where I put my feet.

Life gives us different challenges.  Life throws us curve-balls, throws stumbling blocks, and prepares open pits for us to fall into.  Since the context of this remark is wisdom, I think perhaps this is telling us that we should consider what we’re facing, and the decisions we make, and adjust how fast we make those decisions based on what’s ahead of us.

So?  Don’t be in a hurry when it’s time to go slow.  You always run into people who are pressuring you and trying to get you to make a decision now.  Listen to that voice of wisdom.  Take the time necessary.  Give the Holy Spirit chance to provide guidance.  

Start with the Basics

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

It never hurts to go back to some of the basic foundational truths of scripture.  Is there one verse that could do it all for you if you were on the short track?  If you were due to be executed next week or in five minutes, is there one verse that could tell you everything you really need to know to get right with God?

You just read it.

Everything you need to know to get over the hump, through the gate, past the judgment is found in this verse.  Think of it as that extra gallon of gas you had in your trunk when your car stopped just a few miles short of the station.  Think of it is that MRE in your backpack that you had when you were one day away from the trail head.  Think about it any way you want, but do think about it.

You can think about it with rejoicing.  That’s what I do.  I rejoice that it is that simple to start the journey with Jesus.  You can think about it with rejection.  That’s your choice and God will honor it.  You can think about it with acceptance.  Welcome to the family.

So?  If you make it over the hump the through the door, that doesn’t mean this verse has everything for the rest of your life.  It’s the starter package.  After this, you plunge into the depths of the wisdom and truth of God, and learn to walk and righteousness.  But it’s a good place to start.  

Of No Consequence

Jeremiah 10:5 (KJV) They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

We tend to get consumed with some superstitious nonsense.  How often are we careful not to offend other people because of their religious beliefs?  I think of how we are afraid to even touch the Muslim holy book, the Quran.  I think of how they riot when they think someone has insulted that book.  I think about houses of worship, dedicated to pagan gods or to Satan.  The word God is giving to Jeremiah is to set those things aside.  They themselves cannot do evil nor good.

So?  Keep reminding yourself.  There is only one God.  Yes, there are demonic forces.  Yes, there is a devil.  But there is only one God, and as God, He trumps any minor influence they might have.  Live in peace from that aspect of life.  You may have to worry about scorpions, but you don’t need to worry about idols dedicated to scorpions.  

Turn About

Psalms 141:10 (KJV) Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

In the previous chapter, I noticed that David was concerned about the traps that people had set for him and was asking God to make sure that he did not fall into them.  Here we have the other side of that request.  We don’t know the timing of these two chapters.  We don’t know if David was thinking of the other when he wrote this.  We do know that he was praying for deliverance by God.

And how appropriate it is to pray that people would fall into the traps that they have planned for us?  I often wonder if that isn’t the way God works.  People plan evil.  The evil ends up consuming them.  How fitting.

So?  I don’t know that we should spend our time wishing evil on others, but it certainly is a reminder that we need to feather our nest with righteousness, and not with clever schemes.