Basics

Proverbs 31:30 (KJV) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

As the year comes to an end, it becomes time again to consider the old tradition of New Year’s resolutions.  It’s also a time to get ready to ignore those New Year’s resolutions.  At the same time, there are some considerations that it helps us to stop and think about as we turn the calendar over.  New Year’s should be a time for healthy reminders about where we want to go and who we want to be.

As we look at this verse relating to the virtuous woman, there’s a principle here that we need to look at.  The principle is that the outward appearance of a person is not the key, it is there attitude toward the things of God.

In the coming year, it would be good to put less emphasis on how we look and what people think of us and more emphasis on fearing the Lord.

So?  People may not notice immediately, but God will see it.  Not only will He see it, but He will honor it.  Make the fear of the Lord your main resolution for the new year. 

Something to Ponder

Proverbs 30:8 (KJV) Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

As we come to the close of the year, it’s always a good idea to stop and think about our priorities for the next 12 months.  What would we like to see in our daily life?  Every time I read this chapter, this verse stands out to me.  It’s a good place to start.

Vanity and lies are things to be avoided.  I think it’s a good insight that Solomon has here in asking God to remove these things from us.  Up to a point we can practice personal discipline, but there comes something a little deeper that needs to be removed and only God can do that.

I’m not sure how many of us can sincerely pray the second request.  Who wants to be mediocre?  Who wants to have just enough?  If you keep reading, you’ll notice that the emphasis here is not on the actual amount put on the attitude that goes along with it.

So?  Every day is a day to think about our priorities and what we would like to see in our future.  Make this one of those days.  

A Call to Servanthood

Psalm 123:2 (KJV) Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

After a time of praise and worship, I finally turned to the scripture.  I was having such a great time of reveling in the presence of God.  Then I came to Psalm 123.  It’s a short Psalm.  And right there in the middle is this verse

It is a reminder of the fact that we are called to be servants.  I’m not sure that we have a very good idea of what it means to be servants.  We are raised as Americans with a revulsion for class and the arrogance that goes along with thinking you’re better than other people.  Yet historically servants have had a major part in every culture.

Servants were treated differently in godly homes than they were in the pagan world.  Often times they became part of the family.  There is a place in Proverbs where it talks about servants becoming heirs.  While that is true, they were still expected to focus on meeting the needs of their betters.  They were expected to polish the brass and sweep the floors and scrub the toilets because their betters have better things to do.

Also, there is the attitude of servanthood.  There is the acceptance that there are those above us.  In this case, it is the acceptance that God is above us and that we are here to serve Him.  We forget that.  God is not here to make us happy.  We are here to worship Him.

So?  Rejoice in being a servant in the household of the immortal eternal King. 

Values

Proverbs 28:6 (KJV) Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

We have a unique definition of poverty in our day and age.  The recent social unrest over the cutting off of EBT has really demonstrated how out of balance we are.  Numerous videos would comment on how people with gold nose rings and thousand dollar phones were complaining because they didn’t have money for food.  I guess one of the lessons is that poverty is a relative thing not absolute.

What the Bible is telling us is that while poverty is relative, uprightness is absolute.  It’s telling us that the goal we should be setting for ourselves as we come into a new year is to live upright lives, not to get rich.  The biblical standard is moderation, balance, and adequate resources to meet our needs.  If we go beyond that at the cost of living moral lives, it will damage us as well as those around us.

So?  Set your goal on the eternal values of life not on the transient ones.  When April gets here you’ll be glad you did.  

Trust Resolution

Proverbs 27:27 (KJV) And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Does God make New Year’s resolutions?  Somehow, I don’t think He needs to do that.  Since He has no weaknesses or failures, what is there to resolve?  If there is any resolving to be done it’s on a constant basis and it’s part of His character.  So maybe we can assume that an attribute of God is continually providing for us.

Remember in the Lord‘s prayer we are to ask for our daily bread.  It’s not a matter of a long-term investments.  It’s a matter of being provided for now.  I think God lives in a constant state of resolution.  Probably a better word for that is commitment.  God is committed to see that we have enough goats milk.  You don’t like goats milk?  Talk to God about that; I can’t help you.

So?  As we moved towards throwing out our old calendar and digging out the new one it’s a time for us to be reminded not just that we need to continually improve, but there are certain things that we can continually count on.  

Target Resolutions

Proverbs 26:5 (KJV) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Now that we’re past Christmas and I’ve had to turn off my Christmas music, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s.  I don’t spell New Year’s resolutions in capital letters.  I look at the new year as a spot to stop and think about what I want to do different this year.  I don’t seek any big commitments.  There’s nothing mystical or magical about the date.  At the same time it is a good time to stop and think .

As I looked over this chapter, much of it doesn’t directly apply to me because it deals with deceit and deliberate lying.  This verse however, points out something that I think we have been guilty of as we have this go-along, get-along philosophy in our day and age.  As Christians, we are so concerned about being courteous and kind and not offending people that we often tend to reinforce their foolishness.  I was listening to a podcast, where a man was explaining his conversion, and he said one of the things that helped him come to faith was running into a Christian, who would actually argue with him.  He said most Christians will back off and not get into things because they don’t want to offend.  He said this brother just met him head on.

So?  One of the things I would like to see change in my life is being more aggressive about truth.  That doesn’t mean getting hostile.  It doesn’t mean getting angry.  It means standing up and declaring what I know.  We keep forgetting that they need to know that we already are sure.  

The Context of the Cross

(Joh 19:25 KJV)  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

When Christmas Day comes we tend to forget the rest of the story and focus on the birth of the Savior.  That is understandable.  We are marking the incarnation, God became flesh.  Celebrate.

But pause a moment and remember the purpose of the incarnation.  Why did Jesus come?  Was it so we would have a great  holiday?  Obviously not.  His coming was the first step of Emanuel toward the cross.  Here we see that His mother was at the crucifixion.  She has one more great event to witness in His resurrection but at this moment she is most likely filled with horror.

So?  Don’t ever get lost in the trappings.  God became man and we celebrate it but we celebrate the cross and the empty tomb even more.  Merry Christmas. 

Enjoy the Goodness

(Pro 24:13 KJV)  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

Have you been getting your fill of Christmas goodies?  If you haven’t then you have a few more hours to hit the bakery or even make your own chocolate chip cookies.  While you are at it, have some honey.  We don’t usually associate it with Christmas but the idea is here that good things and sweet things have their place in life.

Do you have any “Bah! Humbug!” people in your life?  It happens.  Do you have anyone who likes to pontificate on December 25 not being the day of the incarnation?  Agree with them, find out when they want to celebrate and establish a second Christmas to celebrate.

So?  Enjoy the good things of life.  Blessings as you gather with family, think about family or just reminisce on those good times.  Merry Christmas.  

Cross Reference

Proverbs 23:35 (KJV) They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

This verse is at the end of a long section dealing with the abuse of alcohol.  The advice of Proverbs is to use great moderation and caution, at least in this chapter.

What hit me today as I was looking at this in the KJV and comparing it to the NASB,  I noticed that the final phrase here is, “I will seek it yet again.”  What I find much more compelling to me is what the NASB says.  It says, “I will seek another drink.”  I like that.  It is well put.  The problem is it’s not a literal translation.  The King James here has the literal translation and the marginal reading in the NASB points that out.

I still prefer the reading of the NASB, but I find that it is really helpful to cross reference it with another translation, such as the KJV, to find out the truth.  No group of translators is 100% on board with being literal.  Everybody wants to paraphrase.  Everybody wants to put in their two cents worth.

So?  Keep seeking truth.  It is available.  In a case like this, it’s not the end of the world, but there’s a principle involved.  

Points of Peace

Psalm 122:6 (KJV) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

People like to quote this as a paraphrase by saying, “Pray for Israel.”  It’s a wonderful thought.  We should pray for Israel.  We should also pray for the United States.  We should pray for Europe.  There are lots of places that we should pray for.  Here specifically we are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Wonderful.  Do it.

Notice also the second part of this.  There’s a promise of prosperity and God’s blessing but notice whom that promise is toward.  It is towards those that love Him.  Now when you pray for Israel, or Jerusalem, keep in mind that God is not in the business of blessing rebellious pagans.  I think it’s safe to say that the people controlling Israel are not people who love the Lord.  I’m sure there’s some there and those would be the targets of this prayer.  This is not a blanket endorsement of ever political activity that comes out of the Knesset.

So pray for Israel.  By all means call down God’s blessing.  And while you’re calling down God’s blessing, ask for His Holy Spirit to move in such a way that there is genuine revival within that nation because so much of the world focuses on Israel right now.  

Hidden Strength

Proverbs 21:22 (KJV) A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

I was sitting thinking about the chaos that we see going on around the world.  In Nigeria and Sudan we have Christians being slaughtered.  In Europe, we have justice being perverted as Muslim rapist are treated softly and their victims are put in jail.  It seems like chaos rules everywhere .

I think this is the time where we need to focus on the wisdom that God has made available to us.  One of the first parts of that wisdom, remember, is the fear of God.  When we have that fear of God, it puts other things into perspective.  It helps us to filter out the noise and exaggerations of our media and seek for truth.

One of the elements of truth that we need to realize is that God constantly watches out for His faithful remnant.  Are there cases where believers are persecuted?  Obviously, yes.  Often, though you need to understand that there are special circumstances.  I remember reading Eusebius’s History of the church and much of the persecution that went on was because overly enthusiastic believers which march into the palace, announced they were believers and dare the governor to do anything about it.

So?  Live in wisdom . It is possible that God is going to allow you to go through some persecution.  Face it with joy and in faith.  It’s much more likely that He will cause the chaos of violence to flow around you like water will flow around a mound. 

Somethings Never Change

Proverbs 20:23 (KJV) Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

Recently in our Sunday school class, we were looking at Paul comparing faith and works.  Of course, being a traditional church, we spent most of our time badmouthing the law, and the conclusion to that often is that it really doesn’t matter whether we live moral lives as long as we have faith.  I know that’s a distortion, but that is the way I think people tend to look at it.  If we believe, then living according to the righteous commands of God is optional.

I think this verse is a reminder.  We are saved by grace.  The avenue that God uses to determine whom He extends that grace to is faith.  But don’t forget He is still a moral God.  He is still a holy God.  He is still a righteous God.  That has not gone away.  He saves us through His grace and because of His love.  At the same time, there are still things which are an abomination to Him.

So?  Rejoice in His grace and His willingness to forgive.  As you bask in that joy make a commitment to do everything you can so that there will be less that He will have to forgive in the future.  

Anger Management

Psalm 120:7 (KJV) I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

In our current political situation with people attacking conservatives and Christians, we sometimes have a feeling that if we don’t stand up and start fighting back that we’re going be overrun.  There may come a time for that, but we need to be very, very careful.  This verse specifically tells us that we are to be for peace, not war.

Now, obviously, David was a man of war.  That was one of the reasons he wasn’t allowed to build the temple.  We have many cases in the Old Testament, where war was part of the program.  We look at Romans chapter 13 where it tells us that the government is supposed to bear the sword to punish evil.  There is a place for the use of force.

We are, on the other hand, supposed to be advocates of peace.  That does not mean that we do not expect justice.  It does not mean that we just allow anybody to trample on our culture, but it means that we go overboard in trying to act with grace and love.

So?  Things may change.  There may come a time when the government which is supposed to bear the sword against evil becomes evil itself.  But we are a long way from that.  Keep praying and trusting and hoping that there are enough believers in our society, enough salt, to bring God to our rescue.  

The Reminders Keep Coming

Proverbs 18:2 (KJV) A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

I shouldn’t need to be reminded of this on such a regular basis, but it seems to be true.  The basic concept here is that a fool likes to talk, but doesn’t want to listen.

I find myself in this position on a regular basis.  When I’m not a teacher or the speaker and discussion is the mode of the day I am really good at nitpicking.  Many times my insights are accurate, but even when they’re accurate, they are probably not necessary for the discussion at hand.

So?  I need to learn to apply that old saying about why we have two ears in one mouth.  It would probably even be better if we had six or eight ears and one mouth.  We need to listen, not pontificate.  

I’ll Take It

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

This chapter is full of a lot of gloom and doom.  It has a lot of warnings and cautions.  But right here in the middle you find this reminder about how important it is to have a merry heart.

I think the reason it stood out to me was because when I read this, I had spent already an hour on the porch in the dark of the morning, and the Lord had been dealing with me.  Sometimes it was a gentle reminder.  Other times it was like being hit upside the head.  But He kept working on me until I started listening.

What a joy it is to know the living God.  What a joy it is to be reminded that although He is dealing with billions of people at the same time, I still consider it a one on one conversation.  And I’m not wrong. That’s part of the glory of who God is.

So? Focus on Him. Listen to what He has to say. And let your heart be made merry.  

Lifelong Learning

Proverbs 16:22 (KJV) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

The thought of going back to school terrifies me.  Going back as a teacher creates nightmares.  Most of the nightmares I have put me in a classroom with all of the fears that are involved and being in a situation like that.  The idea of having to go and sit as a student causes revulsion in my life.  I have listened to enough fools over the years to know that my patience does not extend anymore to them.

That being said, I think that one of the things that we need to accept as we get older is the importance of continuing to learn and to seek truth.  As we age, one of the things that we get concerned about is dementia and a decrease in our mental abilities.  I am coming to the conclusion that one of the things that can at least hold that at bay a little bit, or slow it down, is to keep our minds active.  Not sure that’s what Solomon was talking about here, but if you put together understanding and instruction and the fact that the two work together to form a wellspring of life, make your own conclusions.

So?  Keep reading for truth.  Keep seeking great thoughts.  Keep listening to what the Holy Spirit is whispering.   Let it be a wellspring within you.  

Polite Has Limits

Psalm 15:4 (KJV) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

I think there’s a thought here that we find troubling.  We are commanded to hold evil people in contempt.  We are so immersed in the concepts of courtesy and politeness that we don’t like to show this kind of thing.  We confuse clear thinking and clear vision with being judgmental.  No.  Being judgmental is when you condemn someone else for doing what you do.  Being judgmental has an element of hypocrisy.

Here God is calling for discernment.  Evil is evil.  We need to be careful not to call it good or even to call it neutral.  Abortion clinics have no place in a culture that values life.  That is just an obvious example.  If you have loansharks that are taking advantage of poor people, that would fall in the same category.

So?  Read your Bible and find out what righteousness is.  Find out what integrity is.  Understand what it means to walk in an upright manner.  Apply that to your own lives and to the lives of others.  Be discerning.  

Clever Evil

Proverbs 14:22 (KJV) Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

One of the ways in which evil presents itself is by putting on a disguise . I’ve heard the devil being described as an angel of light.  I know that the name “Lucifer” has the idea of light.  It’s quite easy to broadcast that you’re doing wonderful things while behind the scenes you’re doing everything you can to create evil.

Another way might be considered by perverting definitions.  This is big in our current culture.  You may have heard the term “deconstruction”.  It’s a school of philosophy, which says that there is no absolute meaning for words; that you can make them mean whatever you want at the current time.  We are seeing the results of that as people claim that socialism and communism are really wonderful things.

Another way is by misusing something which was intended to help and becomes really damaging.  I think of this in light of what we went through recently with the government shut down.  We saw millions of people complaining because they were not getting their EBT and SNAP benefits.  It doesn’t take a lot of attention to realize that government handouts have created a permanent under class that no longer are capable of taking care of themselves.  That’s something which was designed to help people in need but instead created needy people.

So?  It is possible to avoid evil. Your starting point is important.  What are your definitions?  What are your intentions?  These need to be based on a solid foundation in God’s word and in his person. 

A Lecture on Abundance

Proverbs 13:23 (KJV) Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

There’s a theme going through this chapter in Proverbs.  It’s expressed many different ways.  It’s the idea that there is adequate resource in our world to take care of the needs of the people in it.  In response to that there are many reasons given for why people don’t have what they need.

This one is pretty indirect in one sense.  In another is very clear.  The NASB talks about oppression, which is another way of saying that there was no correct judgment.  The policies of government and the actions of the wealthy and powerful create conditions which really work against the benefit of common people.  Here the common people are identified as the poor.  In this case, it looks like they are the working, or deserving, poor.  They have the land.  They have the ability to produce food, but it is made impossible by social forces.

Another part of that is that sometimes people are too willing to take the handout of government and it siphons off any initiative and productivity they might have.  We’ve seen that in the recent restrictions on the welfare being given out by the government.  People have been conditioned to dependence.  They didn’t know how to function anymore when the government removed it’s helping hand.

So?  Be aware of the need for government responsibility but also the call for each and every one of us to do our part in providing for ourselves in our families.  

Lead On

Proverbs 12:26 (KJV) The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

A surface reading of this verse tends to imply a kind of arrogant superiority that we have trouble with when we think of humility.  So I looked a little deeper.  The “excellent” of the KJV is “guide” in the NASB.  Neither one of those makes a lot of sense so I looked deeper into the meaning of the word and it seems to have the idea of searching.

So I’m guessing that the idea here is that the righteous, which should be us, are qualified to lead because they have looked into the basics of life, they have searched out and found truth.

So?  Is that a description of you and me?  Have we spent serious time looking to see what is really true and then based our life on it?  I would hope so.  If not, now is the time to start.  

The Big Picture

Proverbs 11:22 (KJV) As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

The idea of putting gold in a pig’s nose seems really strange to us today.  Is it any different than the way in which people will put diamond studded collars on cats or dogs?  Is it any different than someone who is eaten up with disease caused by a dissipate lifestyle might be driving a very expensive sports car?

We are often distracted by characteristics that stand out in our mind as being desirable.  We might look at the famous celebrity.  We see the fawning response of their fans.  We see the cheers and the waves.  What we don’t see is the inner loneliness or the children that are consumed by drugs.  We don’t see the liver eaten up by alcohol or the lungs rotted by tobacco.  We see the make up.  We see the carefully tailored clothes.  We see the glitter.  We see the gold in the pigs nose.

So?  God looks at the complete person.  We can only be truly complete when we live in Him and in His way.  Try to back off and focus on the big picture not just the glowing jewel. 

Talking Points

(1Pe 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

(Proverbs 10 also read)

This is on my list of great Bible verses.  I have referred to it often in my walk.  I never considered that it would also apply in discussions with fellow believers.  Today I am looking at it in that light.

I have a fellow traveler who has some decidedly strong opinions that I disagree with.  He is so consumed with things that I consider “bottom of the bucket list” that he even got to the point of asking me if I believed in the trinity.  I am still not sure where that question came from but I think it was simply because I disagreed with him on his theological system.  I used to enjoy debating him because he came up with things I had never thought of and pressed me to think.  I am beginning to think that the debate is one way and his concern is to evangelize me to his point of view.

So?  I will continue to dialog but I am going to put more emphasis on the last two concepts of this verse.  And I need to leave my sense of humor in my pocket because he is dead serious.  

Some Things Are Worth Repeating

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Don’t tell me you’ve never heard this verse before.  The problem with verses we are familiar with, or truth that is often repeated, is that we get used to it and don’t stop to think about it.  It might be useful every month when I read through this chapter of Proverbs to stop and contemplate this as one of those great truths that needs to be reconsidered regularly.

I can’t guarantee I’ll still feel that way next month but right now I need to remind myself about the importance of the fear of the Lord.  This is a stew of ideas.  As in any good stew it has many ingredients and the more they influence each other, the longer they are cooked, the more they are reheated, they just get better.  So start with the craven fear that makes us tremble in the corner when we hear a noise in the dark.  We don’t like to think about that, but that might be a good place to start.  We live in a day where we get complacent and we have great security.  That makes us take things for granted.

So?  Let’s start there this week, this month, today.  God is so holy, so grand, so beyond our understanding that it behooves us to spend a moment trembling in the corner in fear.  Of course that is then mitigated by the fact that we know Jesus loves us, which means that God loves us.  We belong to Him.  That will help us come out of our corner. 

All Inclusive

Psalm 117:1 (KJV) O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

One of my favorite past times has been debating dispensationalism with a friend.  He’s not just a dispensationist but a mid-Acts dispensationist.  That’s even more exclusive than being a dispensationalist if you can picture such a thing.

One of the points that he constantly likes to make is that the Old Testament was written for the Jews and does not apply to the rest of us.  He would allow that occasionally there’s a principal that should be considered, but usually those are principles that support his theological system so he’s a bit selective there.  Occasionally I come across versus like this that take his system and ask the question, “Have you read your Bible lately?”

You see, as I look at this I see two words that seem to imply being outside Israel.  The first one is “nations”.  This is a term in Hebrew that you may be familiar with, goy.  This is a word that is used almost insulting by Jews to refer to gentiles.  When you look at the scholarly definitions, it says it’s usually used for people outside of Israel.  That would mean you and me.

So I thought maybe this word “peoples” refers to Israel.  Not so.  It’s only used four times in the Old Testament and if you look them up each time, it is very clear that it is talking to people who are not Jews.

So?  At least in this one spot, it is very clear that God had all of us in mind as He was preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah.  Even in the days of the Old Testament, He was calling upon the whole world to praise Him.  Join me. 

Spur of the Moment

Proverbs 7:22 (KJV) He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

The KJV has here “straightway” for the NASB “suddenly”.  Since most of us don’t know what straightaway means it’s probably better to go with the more modern English.  Straight way would give us the idea of going directly.  It could have the concept of following your plan or looking at the goal post 100 yards away and running for all your worth for a touchdown.

That is not the concept.

The concept is that on the spur of the moment you decide you’re going to change direction or that you’re going to make a decision.  Sometimes these decisions are life-changing.  Sometimes they are eternity changing.  This is a sad story because the final verses talk about how this decision is sending him to Sheol or as we might say, hell.

Beware of hasty decisions.  I know when I’m around someone trying to sell me something and they tell me that they’re gonna give me this great deal, but I have to make my decision right now, I walk away.  If the great deal is legitimate it will be there later.

So?  Know the principles that you were living your life by.  You can only follow those if you have been reading them and understanding them.  And then stick to your guns. 

They Are Everywhere

Proverbs 6:22 (NASB95) When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.

Who are the “they” in this verse?  If you look back a little bit, it’s the commandments of God.  Now you run into people everywhere who tell you that the law doesn’t apply to you.  That is sad.  The law was given by God for a good reason.  When used properly it can be a tremendous source of inspiration and guidance.  I assume you know enough about your Bible to realize that it is God’s choice, His grace, His love in action that saves you because of your trust in Jesus and the sacrifice He made on the cross.  That truth does not eliminate the message of this verse.

When you study the commandments of God, it seeps into your soul in such a way that you find guidance in making decisions.  It helps the Holy Spirit do what He is designed to do and tasked to do.

Look at the context in which knowing God’s eternal standards will improve your life:  When you walk, sleep, wake up.  Notice it doesn’t say anything about sitting in front of the TV.  I don’t know if that’s important but you might think about it.

So?  We get right with God by trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus then, if it’s genuinely taken hold of our soul, we start walking in obedience and joy.  Have a good journey today.  

Simply Glorious

Psalm 116:6 (KJV) The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

It is amazing to me how content I can be with my limitations when I am basking in the presence of Him who has no limitations.  What makes it such a joyful encounter is the awareness that He is real, that His loving kindness is extended toward me, that He sent Jesus to suffer on the cross for me, and He is so patient and aware of my limitations.

So? Glory!  

The Need for Braces

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

Every time I come across this word “perfect” I think about how modern Christians seem to get offended by it, or repelled might be a better word.  We shouldn’t be.  It’s a wonderful insight in how God works with his people.

Notice that the “weakness” is in us.  We can’t avoid it.  It is reality.  We are inadequate for what we face in life.  If you think you’re adequate then you’re probably missing what the real challenge is.  But the promise is that God will make us adequate, that His strength is made perfect as He acts as a brace for our withered limbs.  Or you might even think of it as a prosthetic device.

We have a lady at church who walks funny.  I thought she was having hip problems or something along those lines, but it turns out that she had a leg amputated and she’s walking on a prosthetic.  She’s able to get around quite well as long as she keeps in mind that she has this perfection making her weakness adequate.

So?  What are our weaknesses?  I tend to find that I forget I’m getting old.  Sometimes I move too fast.  So far the Lord has kept me from major catastrophe, but in life, we need to be aware of our limitations and learn how to lean so that God can compensate.  

Applied Wisdom

Psalm 111:10 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

We need to be mindful of a constant reminder by the word that it is not enough just to have head knowledge, or even just heart knowledge; we must apply the knowledge that we have.  Notice the simple little verb “do”.  There is some correlation between applying truth and just believing it.

We’re familiar with the concept of muscle memory.  By doing things repeatedly, we learned to do them by habit without thinking.  It speeds up the process quite a bit and allows us to focus on higher level thoughts and applications.  The same thing can be said about spiritual issues, about wisdom.  This might also in a bit of a stretch apply to why Jesus had to come and live as a human being.  There’s something about actually experiencing life that brings it a depth and richness that is not understood any other way.

So?  Believe it.  Apply it.  Get the full benefit of what God is offering. 

We Forget

Proverbs 2:22 (KJV) But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

In reading these last two verses, it came to my mind again.  Eternity is going to have an element of the physical in it.  We have that popular conception of floating around on clouds.  Some people imagine the masses of elders and saints, bowing down before the throne on the sea of glass and chanting, “Holy holy holy”.  You need to read the rest of Revelation.  You need to read about the new Jerusalem descending to earth.  You need to read about the river of life running out of Jerusalem and the tree of life growing on both sides.  Remember the wolf lying down with a lamb?

We will not be cut off from the Earth.  We are to be established.  I like to think that we still have access to flowing through the cosmos and diving into the center of massive stars, but our focus and our home is always going to be on earth.

So?  Get used to it.  Enjoy it.  Imagine what it will be like when our sin caused limitations are removed totally.  

What Was That?

Proverbs 1:23 (KJV) Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Reproof without response is a waste of breath.  That doesn’t mean God won’t keep trying to reach us and get us to listen, but there comes a point where we are expected to respond.  Notice the first word “turn”.  God gives us insight in His word, through preaching, our reading, our meditation and expects us to take it and apply it to our lives.  The result is that we are supposed to do things differently.

When we practice obedience, the promise here is that God will “pour out His spirit” on us and then He will bring us a deeper understanding of what it is that He’s trying to say.

So?  It’s a new month.  It’s getting close to a new year.  Those are days we highlight but there are no days when it’s a bad idea to start changing our direction if God is speaking to us.