Does Creation Continue?

Psalm 104:30 (KJV) Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

I almost breezed over this because of all the figurative language and great word pictures in this chapter.  Then I noticed the word “created”.  Now keep in mind that this is written in David’s time or later, and the author is probably not thinking about the seven days of creation, yet he uses that same word that is used in the first verse of the Bible.  It is also used about halfway through the creation account with the large sea animals, and then about man being created.

One of the mysteries of the people pushing evolution is something called the Cambrian explosion where suddenly a vast number of new species appeared.  They seem to have come from nowhere.  There is no fossil record of them developing.  Add to that the fact that all the links are missing when someone talks about the “missing link”.  All the links are missing.

This verse may be the reason why the links are missing because God continues to send forth His Spirit and create.  I’m not looking for a doctrine here or an article of faith.  This is just an observation of the creativity and continued involvement of God in His world.

So?  Man is still the only one that was created in His image.  Don’t forget that.  Honor Him. Worship Him.  

Happy Law

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

As Christians, we tend to look at the law in a negative way.  The apostle Paul certainly goes out of his way to make sure that we’re not trusting the law for our salvation.  That’s fine.  One of the things, though, that I’ve noticed is that the Old Testament does not promised eternal salvation through the law.  The promises of the law in the Old Testament have to do with Israel being guaranteed the promised land, that their cows would have healthy calves and their harvest would be adequate.  All of those are every day realities.

So how do we respond to the law?  In a general sense we still follow it, but we don’t follow it for the same reasons.  We don’t refuse to steal or commit adultery because we think we’re earning our way into salvation, we do it because it makes for a better life here on earth.  Following God's principles goes a long way towards establishing happiness in your life.

So?  Get right with Jesus.  Trust Him and His death and resurrection and God's grace as it extends towards you.  Having established that foundation, live a righteous and moral life.  It will pay off.  

Grace Applied

Psalm 103:10 (KJV) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

Just in case you’re one of those people that gets hung up on the difference between the law and grace, you need to take another look at this verse.  I don’t think the law was mentioned at all in this chapter.  But I do see grace at work here.  I see God extending His patience, forgiveness, and yes, grace towards us as He watches us and follows our activities.

What better way to express the idea of salvation than to admit that God does not deal with us as we deserve.  He is ready, willing and able to forgive our sins.  He sent His son to die on the cross so that the justice that is in His heart could be fulfilled.  What a balance of love and justice.

So?  Don’t relax in your sin, relax in your forgiveness.  Enjoy the knowledge that God will not deal with us as we deserve.  

Details, Details

Proverbs 27:20 (KJV) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

I was listening to a podcast where a Bible teacher named Stephen Gregg was talking about the different historical views of hell.  Evidently before Augustine there were various views that are still around today, but are not quite as popular.  It was interesting.  Here though we get some insight into what hell would be like.

The keyword here that I’m looking at is the word “satisfied”.  What doesn’t come through in the KJV, but is there in the NASB, is that the word “full” is the same word in Hebrew as "satisfied".  This is giving me an insight into what hell will be like.  Excepting the lake of fire and the torment this would give an explanation of a part of the torment.

Just as we as human beings in this life seem to be never satisfied, we always want more, so it will be if we spend an eternity in hell.  In addition to the torment, there will be this unremitting sense of incompleteness.

So?  Anyway you look at it, eternity without Jesus is going to be utter misery.  This just makes it a little worse.  Of course the alternative is to trust in Him and have eternal life.  It seems an easy choice to me  

It Is Not Supposed to Be Easy

Romans 1:17 (KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

How glibly we quote this verse and toss it off.  It is used so often in terms of evangelism or just in the matter of now you’re saved, don’t worry about things from here on out.  It is often used as an excuse to live in unrighteous ways.

Today is a reminder to me that I am to walk every day with the kind of trust that trump’s the vicissitudes of life.  Life keeps throwing us curve balls, then a change up, then that fast ball down the middle.  We need to remember that living by faith means that we understand that we are part of the team that is going to win the World Series.  We may not be the one who gets a home run.  We may go 0 for 4.  But we’re on the winning team

So?  God is with me even when the water gets deeper.  He’s with me as it comes up to my neck.  He’s with me even if I go under because He is a lifeguard who will pull me out when I need it.  I walked today in faith.  I walked today in trust.  

Refined, Not Carved

Proverbs 25:4 (KJV) Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

The Bible has numerous spots where it talks about how we mature and grow spiritually.  One of the things that occurred to me about this recently was shown in this verse.  When God talks about molding our character or deepening our spiritual strength, He uses the illustration of smelting precious metals.  I don’t see any place where it talks about carving things or sanding things down.

In fact, when it talks about adjusting the outward looks, it usually is referring to man-made idols.  God works on the inside, which then is reflected on the outside.  The world tends to look at the outside and make it adjustments there and not worry about the core.

So?  This doesn’t mean that we don’t work on our discipline and our behavior but we need to be focused on allowing God to change our heart.  

Incongruence

Psalm 99:8 (KJV) Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

We see two sides of God in this verse.  On one side, we see forgiveness.  On the other, we see vengeance.  God is the same in both cases.  Israel also seems to be the same.  Are both necessary?  How serious is the vengeance in the company of forgiveness?

One of the clues I see for this is in how many of the Psalms I have read where the writer is calling upon God for His mercy, but is not expressing confession or repentance.  I think that’s really key.  God wants to forgive.  He does forgive.  The problem is if we don’t repent sincerely then what is in store for us is the vengeance God.

I would guess if the vengeance comes on different levels the first level of God’s wrath would be designed to bring us to repentance.  God’s patience is very real and He continues to try and turn us.  When we refuse repeatedly, it’s time for vengeance.

So?  Walk and live in repentance.  Be willing to listen to what God has to say.  He really wants to forgive.  Take advantage of that.  

Subtle Thoughts

Psalms 94:19 (KJV) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

There is a nuance to this verse that does not come through in the KJV.  It centers around the word “thoughts”.  I thought this was a generic word and it seems that way, but when you look it up, it’s only used one place in the Bible.  The nuance is that these are “anxious thoughts”, as it says in the NASB.

Do you have knots developing in your soul?  Do you have times where you look out at the horizon and wonder if those dark clouds mean storms ahead?  This is a natural condition which God is acknowledging.  This is what the psalmist is talking about.  There are times when we are overcome with worry.  What is being said here is that God is capable of bringing His comfort in the midst of that trial.

What is necessary to access that comfort?  Trust.  Confidence in God.  A knowledge of God.

So?  Work on spending the time with God when the water is smooth so that when the waves rise up, you will already be repaired or what’s coming.  There is a promise here.  It’s up to us to access it.  

Keep Looking

Proverbs 22:21 (KJV) That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

In this day and age of AI, we are constantly asking ourselves, “Can we believe our lying eyes?”  When I do a search, I tend to skip over the AI answer at the beginning, but I’m noticing that more and more of the individual sources listed below also seem to reference AI.  AI may have a grain of truth, but it is easy to use it for total deception.

In the mist of this we are reminded that we can know “words of truth”.  And see that word “certainty”.  We may not know if the celebrity in the video is real.  We may not know if the quote in the news article is accurate.  There are many things in this world that we cannot know.  Many times the only way we can tell what is real and what is artificial is by having our feet solidly on the ground and asking ourselves, “Does that make sense?”

So?  Often it won’t make sense because we know with certainty the words of truth.  Focus on those words.  Think about those words.  Apply those words.  It will help us discern the false from the real.  

Read On

Proverbs 21:21 (KJV) He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Once again this week, I heard people expanding on Paul’s statement in Romans 3:10 that there are none righteous.  Once again, I agree with that verse in the context in which it is written.  I could do no less, believing that the Bible is the word of God.  But my thinking and my understanding do not stop with that verse.  It expands into the entirety of scripture.

We are incapable in our own strength of dealing with our sin and becoming righteous.  Having said that, though, I have to deal with the continual statements through the entire scripture about how we are to live upright, holy, righteous lives.  For most of the people that I hear quoting Paul I’m not really worried.  I see them living in such a way as if they actually understood the entire scripture witness.  I see them not living like what they say implies.

My concern is with that person on the borderline who thinks that once he has prayed a set prayer, he’s good to go and nothing else will be required.  We are saved because God extends his grace toward us when we believe.  That is not a matter of putting a quarter in the machine and getting out of candy bar.  It’s a matter of going through a door and beginning a journey with the living God.

So?  Pursue righteousness.  Seek to be the same that God has declared you to be and has given you the power through the Holy Spirit to develop.  

The Key

(1Sa 7:6 KJV)  And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

I have made a number of observations while reading through Psalms.  The writers are repeatedly pointing out how God has judged them and times are hard.  They are continually pleading for God to restore them and punish there enemies.  What is missing so often in Psalms is present in this verse:  Repentance.

Notice that they are confessing their sin.  They are pleading for God to have mercy on them.  Because they confess, God answers.  If you keep reading you will see that happening.

So?  Don’t fall into the trap of asking for blessing if you are not willing to confess and repent.  

The Pay-Off

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

What caught my attention today is this phrase “in my latter end”.  I guess that pretty much sums up where I’m at.  We are told that our number of years is 70 and if we’re really strong, it will be 80.  I’m approaching that.  I expect to make it beyond that but you never know when the Lord will call you home.  I’m good with that.

I hope that during my life I have listened to council and been willing to have people teach me.  It’s always hard to know this for ourselves.  We’re really good at seeing things in others but lack insight when it comes to who we are and what we are doing.  God is blessing me at this point in my life so I assume that I must’ve done something right.

God is gracious.  God is always looking to reach out in His loving kindness.  At the same time God is not arbitrary.  There are plenty of verses to talk about the blessings that come with obedience.  I have so many blessings that I know I didn’t earn or don’t deserve, but I have to believe that somehow God took my willingness to listen to Him and magnified it through His glory and passed some of the leftovers down to me.

So?  Listen.  Learn.  Let God work His miracles in your life.  Keep in mind that the end is coming.  That’s something to rejoice about.  

Looking Back

Psalms 90:17 (KJV) And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

I think most of us could repeat this prayer of Moses.  We all hope that when we come to the end of our time, we will be able to look back and see that all of the blood, sweat and tears that we put into life has been rewarded.

There are many areas of life that I have questions about.  I often wonder why my life didn’t follow one path and instead went another way.  I will have questions with God about that, if it’s still a concern in eternity.  I am content to know that God has taken the path that I followed and used it for His glory.  I can see ways in which it really was the best way.

I can look back on my children and remember all the times that I wondered how come I didn’t know what I was doing.  The glory is that God knew what I was doing and that He knew that I was doing my best.  As a result of that, I can look at the work of my hands in that area and be satisfied.

So?  Put your hands to the plow and your shoulder to the wheel, or is it the other way around?  Either way, I believe that God will take our limited abilities and confusing efforts and sanctify them for his glory.   

The Long-Term

Psalms 89:4 (KJV) Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

This is a prophecy.  It is a prophecy which was not understood by the people of that day although they thought they had the idea.  God is speaking to David, or about David.  He is promising something for all generations.  The problem is that history does not see this working out the way the Jews thought it would.

I’m not sure when this was written.  Obviously it was after David’s reign.  How far in the future, I don’t know.  What I do know is that David’s throne was destroyed after the fall of Jerusalem and the people of Israel being moved to captivity in Babylon.  Since we believe that God is sovereign, and we believe His word that means that the original understanding of this prophecy was incomplete.

When you stop to think about the fact that Jesus is considered to be the seed of David, it falls into perspective.  When Jesus returns, He will reign.  I would assume that means that His throne or throne of David would be established for all ages.

So?  Don’t be too quick to interpret.  Don’t be too quick to think you have the answers.  God may have some quirks that you don’t know about.  

I’m So Happy, Here’s the Reason Why

Proverbs 16:20 (KJV) He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

There is a slight difference between the NASB and the KJV.  The difference is between the word “happy” and the word “blessed”.  Either one is a legitimate way to translate this Hebrew word.  As I glanced down through the different translations I have in my software, I saw that these were the two common translations.  And yet they are different.

Happy is an emotional state.  It comes and goes and is totally based on inward feelings.  Blessing is a different matter.  I can be blessed and not even be aware of it.  I think many people are in this category.  If you live in America, you’re probably more blessed than most people in the world in liberty, security, and prosperity.  You may not be aware of it.  You may gripe all the time, but you are blessed.

That’s why we need to bring in this concept of blessed.  We’re talking about an inner strength that comes from trusting in God.  When we trust in God, it does something to our attitude.  It changes our responses.  It molds our whole outlook on the day.

So?  Take your pick.  You can be happy.  You can be blessed.  Or even better you can be both.  It all goes back to genuinely trusting the Lord.  

Modeling Behavior

1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

(Proverbs 15 also read)

It’s strange being caught between the witness of the love chapter and the retribution of Jeremiah chapter 9.  Both speak of the nature of our God.  We often hear about how violent the Old Testament is and how God is so full of wrath while Jesus is love.  It’s a phony contrast.  Keep in mind that the Old Testament covers over 1000 years and you are witnessing centuries of God’s patience before He finally acts.  In the New Testament you’re talking about decades.  Patience requires time to be demonstrated.

I actually like the KJV here in the sense that it says that patience means “long suffering”.  God has definitely suffered long.  He endured the disobedience and rebellion of Israel year after year after year.  He sent prophet after prophet.  He pleaded with them.  They went merrily on their way and eventually they paid the price.

God is also patient with us.

So?  Again, I say don’t push your luck.  God is patient.  He has long suffering.  He will give us every benefit of the doubt.  Eventually, we will force him to move.  I pray that He would move in the direction of salvation.  

A Forgotten Verse

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

(Proverbs 14 also read)

I was sitting this morning thinking about the difference between the direction I thought my life was going to go 20 years ago and where it actually is.  We could go back much further than 20 years.  I always wanted to be used by God.  I thought I knew what that meant, but God seemed to have other ideas.

I remember a long time of wondering why things were going the way they did.  There were times of despairing, especially when I thought of my first born and how he had such a strong personality.  I joked about taking him back to the hospital and getting a refund.  It was only partially a joke.

Looking back now, I can see how the glory of God has worked in my life.  My children have turned out well.  My mind is still clear.  I can still afford my coffee in the morning and have a great view from my front porch.  God meets with me like clockwork and relates to me like the Great I Am.

In the midst of that, I am reminded by this promise that He will continue to work in me until the day of Christ Jesus.

So?  As they say, “What’s not to like?”  The journey continues and I imagine that when we get to stand in the presence of God, there will be another verse that takes this promise further down the road.  

After the Curtain Comes Down

Psalms 88:10 (KJV) Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

One of the things that scholars can’t seem to agree on is the teaching of the Old Testament in regard to what happens after we die.  My understanding is that even in the days of Jesus the Sadducees and the Pharisees disagreed on whether there would be a resurrection.

This is the kind of thing we run into time and time again.  The assumption here is that these questions are answered with a “no”.  There are other verses, which seemed to cry out for an answer of “yes”.

Which is it?  I need to do some research but I’m wondering if this is another area where greater detail of God’s plan is revealed in the New Testament.  Jesus talks about the resurrection.  In Matthew 24 He talks about coming in the clouds and gathering His people together.  Paul of course makes it a major issue.

So?  You can rest assured that the issue was clarified.  There are going to be a number of mysteries or shadow areas that may seem to appear in the Old Testament but are clarified in the new.  Keep reading. 

Keep Your Lips Tight

Proverbs 12:23 (KJV) A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

This verse spoke to me this morning because of recent conversations.  I had a long “conversation” with someone and I found that my opinions were not really desired, nor were they listen to.  I was there to be an ear, not a mouth.  You may have been in a situation like that.

There are times when you don’t need to share your knowledge or your wisdom.  A large part of that is based upon the fact that other people are not usually willing to listen.  Keep in mind that’s not on you, it’s on them.

So?  I guess a blunt way to say it is to keep your mouth shut.  Keep it shut more often.  It won’t hurt you.  He won’t explode.  And there may come a time to share.  

Self-Selecting

Proverbs 11:20 (KJV) They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

There are two words in this verse which we don’t use much today.  One would be totally misunderstood and the other is just avoided.

We avoid the word “abomination”.  I doubt if it comes into our conversations very regular, but we probably have other synonyms we use for it.  Nowadays, with the way our culture is going, we just call somebody a Nazi or a fascist.  Maybe abomination would be better.  It would certainly be more honest because an abomination to one person might be the delight of the other.  But what causes something to be an abomination in God‘s eyes?

That’s where we get to the first word, “froward”.  No, that is not a misspelling.  I’ve actually seen it used in a book in the last 10 years.  I don’t know how old the book was, but I did see it used.  It means twisted, warped, perverted.  It’s talking about the condition of your heart.  What is not made clear here, but I think is clear other places is that this twisting is a deliberate choice that you make.  There are consequences for our choices.

So?  Are you seeking a straight heart or a twisted heart?  Both of them have long-term effects.  Make sure you consider that before you get too excited about getting away with something.  God knows your heart and He knows what happens in your secret rooms. 

Heart Unity

Psalms 86:11 (KJV) Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

That phrase “unite my heart” resounds within me.  My first thought was that it had the idea of gathering all the parts and assembling them into a unit.  When I looked at the usage of the word, I found a bit different idea.  It’s only occurring three times in the OT.

It has more of the idea of uniting us with God or having us join a group than doing something within us.  So when David calls to have his heart united, he is calling to become closer and more obedient to the God of his fathers.  That involves fear.  That involves walking.  That involves truth which must be taught.

So?  This could almost be a daily prayer.  It could also be a prayer of times of great turmoil.  Either way it still resounds.  

Still Missing the Point

Psalms 80:3 (KJV) Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

This is a wonderful prayer.  On the surface, it reflects an awareness that salvation only comes from God.  If all you read was this, you might wonder why God is not responding.  If you have your Bible, try reading the entire Psalm and asking yourself, “What is missing?”  Again, or is it still?

What’s missing, as I pointed out before, is an admission of their own sin and rebellion.  At this point in time, Israel has centuries of spitting in God‘s face, ignoring His law and following other gods.  Now, for some reason, they are finally running out of other avenues to follow and they are calling on God again.

How did we get here?  I don’t know.  I don’t know exactly where this fits in and I don’t know what God did after this.  I do know that God honors the faithful remnant so even at this point there are probably some who have been faithful.  They would have the right to pray this prayer.

So?  Are you one of those who thinks you’re going to wait until you’re on your deathbed and then pray the sinner’s prayer?  My analysis is that it probably won’t work at that point because God knows your heart and He knows your sincerity.  We both hope I’m wrong.  

Today’s Investment

Proverbs 8:20-21 (KJV) 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

If you are old enough to have anyone who could or should look up to you then this is a direction for your life.  You are to lead.  You may not think you lead but somewhere there is someone who is watching you, someone who is wondering why you do what you do and thinking of imitating you.  For those with children that is pretty clear.  For those who either never had children or whose children are out of the home, there are other people looking at you.  It may be children at church.  It may be young married couples.  There are people watching.

And the direction you lead is in righteousness.  Just ignore those foolish people that say that we cannot live upright lives.  Read your Bible.  Make up your own mind.  If we can’t live righteous lives then what’s the point of all this instruction.?

So?  You are building an inheritance with those that love you.  Give them a strong foundation. 

The Best Defense

Proverbs 7:21 (KJV) With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

When I first read this today, I thought that the King James was once again throwing in a word that had changed its meaning.  I refer here to the word “forced”.  The NASB talks about this young man being seduced.  That misses the point.  The word means exactly what the King James says.

There are forces out there that will try to compel us into sin.  They are clever.  They have many tools.  They have great resources.  Don’t think you’re going be able to walk close to the fire and not get burnt.

So?  What do I take from this?  Do everything you can to avoid situations of compromise.  Here it’s the compromise of fornication and sexual attraction.  You might be more susceptible to financial compromise or to the seduction of materialism.  There are many possible ways in which evil can try to penetrate your soul and force you to sin.  Do your best to avoid it.  Check your path carefully.  Look under your bed before you go to sleep.  And trust that God will give you the grace you need.  

Beware the Low Road

Proverbs 6:21 (KJV) Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

One of the disagreements between different people is how literal to take the Bible.  Evidently there are some in the dispensational camp who claimed that they take everything literally. Others back off a bit and are selective, which puts us immediately into the problem of who gets to do the selecting.

Is this to be taken literally or figuratively?  My understanding is that the Jews have taken it literally and they actually wear little bits of scripture bound to parts of their body.  They put scripture by the door nailed in little capsules.  I’m sure that the ones who originally did this would stop and read those scriptures every once in a while and call them to mind but what tends to happen when we get this literal is we are satisfied with following the law and we ignore the spirit behind it.

When you take this figuratively from the start, you may still find something around your neck, but you understand that the point is you need to be meditating on these things and focusing on these things.

Often times following the letter of the law is the low road instead of the high road.  It means that as long as you dot your I’s and cross your T’s then you can spell everything else however you want.

So?  Let your spirit be that which seeks to be most obedient to the holy God.  We are not under the law, true.  But God looks at our heart and sees if our desire is to bring Him joy and to be obedient.  

Were They Answered?

Psalms 79:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of Asaph.]] O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

When was this Psalm written?  Notice that it has the temple being defiled and Jerusalem being destroyed.  The only time that I can think of before this Psalm has to be written would be when the Babylonians deported the southern Kingdom.  Whoever is writing seems to looking back instead of forward.  I guess it’s possible this could be a prophecy, but I don’t see it.

Did God answer this prayer?  We would automatically want to say yes, but that’s if we don’t stop to think about the historical context.  For a brief time the exiles were allowed to return and rebuild the temple, but the nation of Israel was not really reestablished until 1948.  We still have no temple.

As I have noted before the piece that is missing in this Psalm is confession and repentance.  They’re willing to admit that their ancestors were not obedient, but I don’t see them confessing their own sins.

So?  God listens.  God responds.  But keep in mind He has His standards also and one of them is that we must bend our knee before Him and not just pass the buck for failure to other people.  

Even Kings

Psalms 76:12 (KJV) He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

Most political leaders would reject the idea that they are submissive to the God of Israel.  When you figure in the atheists, animists, pagans and psuedo-Christians there are not many left who actually think about God.  That does not mean they are not aware on some level.

Think of what it means to be terrible.  The word can mean awe or fear.  Every leader on earth has something to be afraid of even if it is nothing less than being betrayed by their servants.  God has the ability to channel and manipulate that fear.

So?  Sometimes it is good to be one of the little people.  We also have our fears but it seems easier for us to turn to God in His majesty.  

Curses and Blessings

Proverbs 3:33 (KJV) The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

This morning, I struggle with this concept.  I don’t struggle because I’m not blessed.  I am.  I’m so blessed that I have quit asking, “why?”  I’ve stopped trying to figure out why God has been so good to me.  I accept that I haven’t earned it.  That’s not the issue.

The problem I’m having is when I look at other families and other individuals who to my eyes seem to be living righteous lives, and following Jesus, and yet there are major “curses” that have caught up upon their houses.  In my present mood, I’m not satisfied with just looking at the eternal blessings.  I don’t think that’s what this Proverb was talking about.

A curse can take many forms.  It can take the form of disease.  It can be financial crisis.  How many Christians through the ages had their children sold into slavery?  It can be your children going off and following pagan lives.  I see that every day in people that I know well enough to know that they have tried to live the way Jesus wants them to.

So?  I’m glad that God does not slap me down for my inquisitive mind.  Perhaps someday I will understand this.  Until then, I am filled with thanksgiving for the blessings that God has directed toward me.  Wouldn’t it be great if I actually deserved it?  

There, if You Want It

Proverbs 2:9 (KJV) Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

There is a promise here that goes beyond just knowing what decision to make at work or with your family.  It’s more than just understanding right and wrong.  There’s a promise here that we can understand righteousness.  That’s kind of one of those gestalt words.  It’s a word that goes beyond just the ordinary and the every day.  It embraces a world view.

It doesn’t just happen.  This knowledge is available, but if you read the whole Proverb it’s clear that it comes from listening to the wisdom to us in God’s word.  We don’t have the privilege of sitting around at dinner with Solomon and listening to him expound on things deep and meaningful.  We have to listen to what the Bible tells us.  We have to listen to what the pastor tells us.  We have to listen to others who are wiser and older than us and using discernment, come to a place of understanding.

So?  Now is a good time to begin.  Get your Bible read the rest of the chapter.  Listen to what God is saying to you not just some guy who writes a blog.  

In Plain Sight

Proverbs 1:20 (KJV) Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

One of the things that Christians tend to forget because we are so aware of His existence is the presence of wisdom and truth that is readily available.  God does not hide in a corner and cover up what is right and ignore what is wrong.  He has been, and still is, very vocal.  You can’t even go to a cheap hotel without finding His word in the drawer. Thank you, Gideons.  Every radio in every car across the nation as they scan the dial will come across at least one station with someone preaching.

God is crying out.  The pagan world has plenty of opportunity to hear.  If you look through the rest of this chapter you’ll find that there is a deliberate rejection of the things of God.  God notices.  God is not amused.  There will be a literal hell to pay.

What we need to do is keep paying attention, listening, thinking and pray.  We need to be able to stand up and declare wisdom.  Part of the way in which God cries out is through us.

So?  What a time for hope.  You have Bible software free over the Internet that you can put on your phone and your computer.  It is available to anyone and can be accessed almost anywhere.  We have the written word.  We have the Holy Spirit.  Rejoice.