Heavenly Housing

Psalm 84:4 (KJV) Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

On the first reading level this is a wonderful thought.  The idea of dwelling in God’s house gives a great deal of fulfillment.  I want to live in God’s house.

But what, where or when is God’s house?

The first thought I had was the final words of the 23rd Psalm,

Psalm 23:6 (KJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

In that case it implies eternity, but the implication of the verse is that it is now.  That makes me think of the Temple as God’s house but it would not be big enough for all of us.

My final thought is that this might be a synonym for the kingdom of God which is proclaimed in the NT.

So?  However I interpret it is a blessing.  The implication is that we exist in the presence of God. 

Library Cards

Proverbs 2:5 (KJV) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

One of the great attributes of our present culture is access to libraries.  They come in differing sizes and content but they offer access to worlds of information that were not always available to the masses.  Unfortunately there are problems.

Many people do not have library cards.  There is no excuse.  They are free.  Some communities require you to live in the city but there are options.  I have five cards and only one of them is strict about residency.  Which brings me to this verse and chapter.

This chapter is full of promises about God meeting the seeker and supplying understanding and knowledge.  That is specific to this verse but broader in the context.  After I read I went back and scanned, looking for mention of limitations.  There was nothing about the law or Israel specifically.  That means I am free to assume that the offer of meeting us depends on whether we are seeking the God of the universe or walking our own path.

So?  God reaches out to everyone.  His library card is available to anyone who seeks Him.  Get yours today if you have not already applied.  

Wake Up Reading

Psalm 82:2 (KJV) How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

My first reading of this chapter had me pausing here and asking if this writer were accusing God of being unjust.  I had to read the entire Psalm before I finally realized, on looking back, that this was God talking to people who were in charge of judging wisely.

Leaders who suck the life blood out of people are not a new phenomenon.  We tend to be locked into our own daily lives and forget that history has a witness of this kind of thing.  Does God approve?  Of course, not.  It is not particularly comforting when I see things falling apart, but I do believe that in the end, God will make these people pay for their arrogance and self-centeredness.

So?  We need to pray for our leaders.  We need to pray for their salvation.  We need to pray for their repentance.  God will take care of the punishment.  That is on Him.  

Shoot for the Moon

Proverbs 31:10 (KJV) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

This is a good question.  One problem we face is that the KJV gives a poor translation with “virtuous”.  Not that virtue is a bad trait, it is just not what the word means.  The NASB is closer with “excellent”.  Any way you look at it, this is a woman of quality.

Where do you find such a paragon?  If you are already married then you should not be looking.

Probably a better question for us is, “How can I be one of those people?”  It is a question if you want to take the verse literally, as offered, or turn it around to suggest what kind of men we should be.

So?  Go ahead and look for excellence but even more, strive for it in your own life.  

Early Warning

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

I sometimes wonder why the Jews were so reluctant to accept Jesus as the Son of God.  We have here a clear statement that God has a Son and that His name was known.

They would have known God’s name.  He gave that to Moses.  It had the meaning of being the God who exists, YHWH.  But what about the Son?

Isaiah provides us with two examples which the people who read this would know.  Maybe not the original readers.  Isaiah wrote after the time that Proverbs would have been written, but the Jews of Jesus’ time would have known.  First you have,’

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

This was repeated to Mary.  Then you have more,

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

So?  We often know more than we are aware of.  The key is to expect and examine.  God provides answers.  

Geared Down

Proverbs 29:4 (KJV) The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

As Americans, we don’t pay a lot of attention to kings.  They’re kind of romantic residue from the past to us.  So what is the possible spiritual principle for us here?  I believe that God has something to teach us from almost every scripture.

I think for us the key is that if we want to establish the world we influence then we need to seek genuine justice.  As simple citizens, we don’t have a “land”.  We do have an area of responsibility.  For parents that would be the family.  Single people have influence around them either by people who live next to them or at work.  We are to reach out with “judgment”.  I believe the idea of judgment here is not a high and mighty declaration of our will, but a seeking of the justice that God expects us to demonstrate.

So?  Don’t forget that you have influence.  I know as I get older and talk to other old people they feel like no one’s listening anymore.  That may be true up to a point.  But it’s not totally true because there are people watching us and there are people listening to us even if we’re not talking directly to them.  Establish justice.  Be a force for righteousness.  

It Makes a Difference

Proverbs 28:5 (KJV) Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

At dinner a group from the church were struggling to understand news they had seen about parents murdering their children and children murdering their parents.  For them it was hard to wrap their heads around.  I think a lot of people are in that mind set.

I shared that I did not believe that the pagan world loves its children the same way that Christians do.  I did not have this verse at my fingertips, but when I read it this morning it reinforced my position.  When you have a foundation in the living God your attitudes toward the world around you are different because of that link.  That goes even more for your family and your fellow believers.  We used to sing that song, “We are one in the bond of love.”  We sang it with feeling because it was true.

So?  Don’t expect the world to understand you.  If they ever agree with you it will because one of you doesn’t understand the situation.  Focus on Him and the one who said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

Not Always

Proverbs 27:13 (KJV) Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

At other places we are told not to borrow or loan.  We are told to return someone’s coat at night so they can stay warm.  Here it seems to be totally different advice.  What is different?

The Bible differentiates between the deserving and the undeserving poor.  One is poor through no fault of their own.  The other has generally made of lot of bad decisions that put him in his situation.  Here we are confronting the one who has violated God’s directions and we are told to let him be cold tonight.  These two situations have people taking the resources that God has given them and turning them over to the undeserving.

So?  We are told be generous, yes.  We are also to be discerning.  We are not to be motivated by the touchy feely values of the world.  Share with those in need but not if you know they will use it for a life of dissipation and rebellion. 

My Place

Proverbs 26:3 (KJV) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

My first reaction to this verse this morning is that none of these categories encompass me, right?  When I stop to consider, I wonder.  This is not going to be read by a horse or a fool so there must be a target audience.  I look around.  I am the only one paying attention.

What keeps me from being the fool?  It might be like the unpardonable sin for people who wonder what it is.  If you ask the question, you don’t need to know.  You are automatically exempt, at least for the moment.

So?  Am I a fool?  Like dementia, I would be the last to know.  Unlike dementia there is something I can do about it.  I can continue to read and consider what I have read.  I can listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit to direct me.  I can keep alert for indications of complacency.  Hang on.  It will be a wild ride.  

Past Due

Psalm 78:38 (KJV) But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

Pagans and atheist love to accuse the God of the Old Testament of being full of wrath.  They like to say that the God of the New Testament is totally different.  As I have said other places, they overlook the extreme patience that God exhibited in withholding punishment from Israel.

This verse points out that reality.  Israel had deserved and earned abundantly God’s wrath.  They deserved to be punished.  They had it coming, so to speak.  In spite of that God withheld His revenge.  But even God eventually is brought to the point of disciplining His people.

Did He withhold His wrath because there was a faithful remnant?  Did that remnant wander to the point where He realized there was no one left to shelter?  We don’t know why He finally discipline them, but He did.

So?  God is incredibly patient.  He was patient with Israel.  He is patient with us.  On one side that should bring joy to your heart, but it should also remind you not to think you’re going to take advantage of His kindness.  Live in righteousness.  Walk upright.  Glorify your God.  

Refusal

Psalm 77:2 (KJV) In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

This Psalm seems to have two major themes.  The first theme is complaining or showing frustration at not being able to reach God.  The second theme is praise for God’s loving kindness and trustworthiness.  The central axis, which these join on, is this verse which says the writer refuses to be comforted.

He’s saying a lot of the right things.  He has a very positive view of God.  In the midst of this, he seems to be living in misery.

I wonder how often we limit God’s mobility to reach us and to lift lift us up by the boot straps.  I think God is usually reaching out to us.  He wants us to be positive and productive.  He wants us moving forward in life.  We refuse the hand that He offers.  This may just be a personal accusation.  It may just be something I’ve experienced.  I think I see it in the psalmist though.

So?  Reach out and take the hand that God is offering. That starts with a confidence that He exists, and that He will do as He says.  

Accept It

Psalm 75:7 (KJV) But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

Not being a Hebrew scholar I wonder if there is something I am missing when it says “God is the judge.”  I say that because when I look at my software it tells me that “judge” is a verb.  My translation then would say, “God judges”.  It doesn’t really make any difference to me but is more accurate.

When people quote “judge not” they usually mean it in the negative sense but you will notice that here it can go either way.  Think of it as God making decisions that need to be made.  We must also make decisions.  Hopefully we make them on the same basis as God.

What are God’s criteria?  Some we can know.  His promises of blessing are confined to the faithful.  His condemnation is reserved for those who are rebellious or even just agnostic in their obedience.  There are also depths that we cannot plumb.  Just ask Job about that.

So?  God judges but He is faithful.  That should give us confidence as we face the coming day. 

Relative Rewards

Proverbs 22:4 (KJV) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

What are riches?  What is honor?  How do you measure them.  Many people would define them in ways that are not consistent with Biblical values.  An old example comes to mind about asking a rich man how much money he needed to be content.  The answer?  “Just a little bit more.”

The reward in riches I think involves having enough to be content.  It is having enough.  The CEO of the company might laugh at your nest egg but if you are living in the Lord it will be enough for you to live well.  And of course the idea of riches goes beyond dollar signs.  When I think of the blessings of riches I think of grandchildren.  You can go on from there.

So?  Put on your God’s eye glasses and submit yourself to Him in obedience.  You will see things that others are not privileged to understand.  

Broaden Your Parameters

Proverbs 21:8 (KJV) The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

One of the topics that keeps coming up when it is ignored involves whether the saved must sin or whether it is optional equipment.  Is it like the heater in your car or a DVD mounted on the roof?  I welcome the discussions because it shows that we are wrestling with the truths that God wants us to consider.

Today I offer this verse to the discussion.  My question for you, if you are one of those that loves to misquote Paul on none being righteous, is, “If it is impossible to be pure, what is the point of this verse?”

I am not going to digress into the meaning of pure.  Whatever it means there are millions of believers and an uncounted majority of scholars who will tell you it is impossible, whatever it means.  Really?  Then was God just playing word games when He caused this verse to be in our Bible?

So?  Interpret it any way you want as long as you are seriously trying to deal with the expectations that God has for you, and rejoice on the journey.  

Your Turn

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

It is easy to get sidetracked by my lack of knowledge in the field of farming.  I was surprised when I learned, possibly after reading this verse, that farmers plow and aerate the soil after the harvest and before the snow.  Did you know that some strands of wheat are planted at the beginning of winter and harvested in early spring?  Awesome.

But that is not the point here.  Solomon is not teaching a class in agriculture.

This is about making decisions.  The sluggard knew what to do.  I think we can assume that.  I think we can also assume he had the opportunity to plow.  He made a decision not to do so.  He made a decision and later paid for it.

We need to understand that our decisions have consequences.  God can forgive sin, and He will.  I am not so sure that He will step in and intervene when we make deliberate decisions based on being lazy or careless.

So?  If your need to beg is because of your decisions then learn to make different decisions.  Learn from your mistakes.  Sometimes that is how God blesses us.  

Fret Inoculation

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

Have you ever gotten mad at God?  Have you ever lifted your eyes to heaven and screamed?  I have had those times and I honestly believe God understands the hurting heart.  It is not His default response.

Notice who is fretting against the Lord here.  The word is not frequent and can be used to refer to anger.  This is the response of the foolish.  How do we combat foolishness?  By growing in wisdom.

I find that the more time I spend with the Lord and focusing on His attributes, the more time He seems to spend with me refreshing my soul and renewing my mind.  That means that I grow in wisdom.  That means I am more willing to trust and move into the future with confidence.

So?  If you have to scream, do it, and get on with life.  A better response, and the one God is seeking to develop in you is greater wisdom and a more mature response.  

Sources

Proverbs 18:4 (KJV) The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

This morning I see two different sources or, shall we say, description of sources.  What is identical is the fact that thoughts are coming from us.  What is contrasted is the way in which they go from us and possibly how we come by them.

We should make it a point that when our mouth speaks something that we have seriously thought about it.  That takes time.  It takes effort.  Yes, thinking is an effort.  It takes focus and energy.  Often we’re not willing to put it in.  I wonder how many times I have been reluctant to spend the time looking into what the Bible actually says instead of just sharing off the top of my head.  We need to keep digging deep.

But also, we need to be willing to share.  I know, I know people don’t want to listen.  That’s a fact of life.  It may be that we have to earn the right to speak but at the same time, we need to be willing to speak up when it’s time to speak up.  Just as too often we spout off without thinking out of the times, we keep silent when we know a word is needed.

So?  Keep replenishing the resources of wisdom you have and, when appropriate, be willing to share it.  We live in a world that is shallow and ignorant.  We have something to share.  You may not believe that, but it’s true. 

Finally Crowned

Proverbs 17:6 (KJV) Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

This has been a great truth in my life lately.  There was a time when I would not have had a clue to the joy of grandchildren.  Now they are a set of jewels that float in and out of my world.  It is a joy.

This strikes me today because of recent times together.  I dwell on the Providence of God and lift up grandfathers in other countries who don’t have the stability that we have here.  I think of friends who either have no grandchildren, live far away from them or do not get along.

So?  Life has many joys.  Look around.  See how God has blessed you.  Be thankful.  

Veer Away

Proverbs 16:6 (KJV) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Evil exists.  It is both static and active.  By that I mean it lays traps that we can stumble into and it chases after us.  There may be times when people are overwhelmed by the physical force of evil such as being caught in a riot or being the victim of a murder but most of the time evil is something that can be avoided.

The word “departed” here is unfortunate.  The idea is not that we are trapped in an evil maze and walk out.  The idea is to turn aside from evil that we see ahead of us.  Think of a pothole on the street or a board in your lane on the freeway.  If you are watching and alert you can avoid them.

The fear of the Lord keeps us alert.  It teaches us that hitting a pot hole is not a good thing to do.  It guides our actions.

So?  We have an active role to play.  God supplies us with an awareness and gives a warning.  We are to take that and run with it, but run with our eyes open.  

My Goal

Psalm 69:6 (KJV) Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

There’s a lot in this chapter as David pours his heart out to the Lord.  There’s only one mention toward the end that might be construed to have something to do with the law and the sacrificial system, everything else has to do with an obedient son, reaching out to a loving father.

I so much want to pass that on to others.  This past week I’ve had dinner with my son and an outing with my daughter and grandchildren.  If I had to write a report, it would be full of praise for God and thanksgiving for the blessings that He’s given me in my children.  I feel that I have passed on the torch to them.  That of course allows for their differences in personalities and priorities.  It understands that they are not going to agree with me on everything.  No problem.

What this first reminds me of today is that I have a continual example to set for others.  I think of the people at my church.  I tend to be an introvert, but I’m working on it.  I wonder how many of them can be uplifted in someway by my example.

So?  Let me join David in this prayer today.  May I do nothing to drag others down or to cloud their vision of You.  May I be an eternally positive influence in their life. Amen.  

Word Pictures

Proverbs 14:3 (KJV) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

In looking at the Hebrew for “rod of pride” I came up with my own paraphrase or word picture.  “Pride” has to do with a swelling or a wave on the ocean.  “Rod” can be a twig or stick. I had a vision of touching an overinflated balloon with a sharp stick.

So I suggest, “The mouth of a fool will burst his bubble.”

Where I actually started with this involved the questions I ask during a Bible study.  There are so many questions I have and they don’t seem to get answered when I am silent.  What is even more frustrating is that they don’t get answered when I speak up.  Am I being foolish for asking, am I am a fool because I have a question, am I a fool for expecting an answer?

So?  I guess we should let the pressure build until our mouths can’t take it any more.  When it is too much, ask away but it might be better to ask the Lord and have Him guide your study.  

Lighten Up

Psalm 67:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song.]] God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

I like this idea of God shining on us so I looked up the meaning of “shine”.  It has the idea of lightning.  It’s pretty literal.  God looks upon us, and since God is light, it illuminates who we are and where we are.  This gives us a better feel of the total picture of life.

When I go out on the porch in the morning, I have turned on the spotlights that illuminate the porch and the yard.  After I put my coffee down, I turn off those lights and use my flashlight.  With that flashlight, I take a better look at the yard.  Occasionally, I see animals moving around.  And of course, my imagination can jump at certain shadows.  But the light illuminates my world.  I always shine it on the seat before I sit down, just in case there’s a little critter that wants to share.

So?  Get used to shining the light of God, or better having Him shine His light on you and on your world.  You may still stumble over those cracks in the sidewalk, but it will keep you from walking into walls.  

Consider the Source

Proverbs 12:4 (KJV) A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

This is a statement of truth.  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit has chosen to include it in the text of the Bible.  Why would I make that distinction?

Consider Solomon as a source of advice on marriage.  How many wives did he have?  And how many concubines?  The total is around 1,000.  To start with that would make me question his wisdom.  Add to that the fact that God told the kings of Israel not to be taking a bunch of foreign wives and you have the recipe for doubting his advice.  His life ends with the pagan wives drawing him away from obedience to the Lord.

But we consider this book the word of the Lord.  We trust that the Holy Spirit is involved in the original production and the preservation over thousands of years.  That is what makes us listen.

So?  The Holy Spirit still speaks to us through what He created in the past.  Don’t put your confidence in the interpretation of pastors or bloggers but seek truth from the pages.  

How Involved Is God?

Psalm 65:9 (KJV) Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

When I read a verse like this, I think about the involvement of God, not only in our lives, but in the natural world that surrounds us.  Paul tells us that Christ is actively maintaining the world.  I sometimes think about Him, supervising the electrons as the orbit around the nucleus in the atoms of the universe.  Here I’m looking at the grain.  I find myself wondering just how involved He is in things.

Is God so infinitely involved that He supervises the development of each kernel of grain that grows?  If you want to feel the awesomeness of God and how beyond our understanding He is then convince yourself that He could do this and that He actually does.  That is how much potential He has.  My real question is not whether He can, it’s whether He does.

I tend to think that there are many things in our world that He sets up and puts in motion with some kind of alarm to inform Him when something is going wrong and then concentrate on more important things.  At the same time, I know that He is so extensive that it would be no big deal for Him to supervise each one.

So?  In our daily lives, it doesn’t make much difference which way it goes.  What does make a difference is it gives us a chance to meditate on His characteristics and attributes.  That can be very beneficial  

Two Escapes

Psalm 59:2 (KJV) Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

David is obviously concerned about people who are out to get his head.  He calls upon the Lord to save him.  What was interesting to me was not that he called upon the Lord, but that there seem to be two avenues that he was suggesting.  The first one is the one that we might tend to want to see, especially in times like today.  The second is when he calls upon God to destroy his enemies. That comes later in the chapter.  Not so here.

Here he’s calling for deliverance.  That takes different forms.  One is to help him to escape, just to get away, to get out of their reach.  The other is to simply batten down the hatches and keep him safe where he is.

So?  God has His eye on us.  There are times when He will simply beat down those who attack us.  There are times when He will lead us beside the still waters.  There are also times when He will simply be the fortress that keeps us safe in the midst of it all.  Keep trusting.  

Take off Your Boots

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

I think we have all seen those movie clips where someone is drowning and the hero comes to the rescue.  If the hero wants to live to be lauded there are a couple of things he must do.

First, he needed to learn to swim himself.  If he can’t swim then it isn’t real smart to jump in the deep water.

Second, take off your boots.  It is hard to swim with boots on.  They will do nothing but hold you back.

What does that have to do with this verse?  Notice that this first voice is advising the fool on how to live.  One of the first things us fools need to do is discard the foolishness.  That means we need to be willing to get rid of anything that is holding us back or might weigh us down.  As fools we have a lot we cling to that is either dead weight or totally counter productive.

So?  If you want to move forward in the things of God you need to pause and consider the ideas and habits that might make it impossible to make progress.  We sometimes refer to this as repentance or confession.  Understanding is waiting.  

Important Distraction

Romans 3:10 (KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

I don’t know how many times in my life I’ve heard this verse quoted.  Sometimes it’s been in sermons.  Sometimes it’s somebody expanding their a bit of wisdom in Sunday school.  Sometimes it’s been in conversation.  Almost overwhelmingly, it has been quoted out of context and used as a tool to force scripture into fitting someone’s theological position.

Let me give you an illustration. What would you think if you read the following sentence?

   “Mordecai pressed the accelerator to the floor as he rushed through the intersection in spite of the fact that the signal was red.”

I’m sure you know where I’m going with this, at least some of you do.  But let me supply a little bit of context, which hopefully will change your understanding of the situation.

    “As the police blocked cross traffic, the ambulance with the critical patient in the back rushed down the hill and through the intersection.”

Do you see the difference?  It’s the same way in which people interpret this verse.

So?  Keep reading.  Keep studying.  Keep seeking understanding.  And while you’re at it be leery of proof texting.  

Put That in Your Pipe…

Psalm 57:10 (KJV) For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

And smoke it.  Do you need something to focus on to make your day?  Are you feeling a little vague in you’re thinking processes?  Are you reluctant to get out and join the rat race?  Then David gives us something to think about.

When David talks about the law, he sings his praises.  He talks about how wonderful it is.  He doesn’t mention the law in this chapter, but he does continually go over the trustworthiness of God and His cosmic “mercy”.  This is again that word I love in the Hebrew, which I prefer to be translated as loving kindness.

God’s mercy is great unto the heavens.  Grab a hold of that.  Get into a little bit of meditation.  You can do that as you drive to work if you have to.  When somebody cuts you off, let your mind wander to the glories of God.

So?  Worship and attitude are often a matter of choice.  Choose wisely.  

Secret Trust

Psalm 56:3 (KJV) What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

My first thought here was that it’s kind of a narrow trust that only emerges when we’re afraid.  I think of foxhole believers.  I think of those who only turned to the Lord in times of crisis.  But then I had a second thought

I think for those of us who truly know the Lord, we live in a state of trust that is perpetual, strong and below our radar.  I think what David is saying here is that we remember the fact that we trust in God during those times of fear.  If that’s not what he’s saying, it’s what he should be saying. 

We have many thoughts and emotions that are not always on the surface.  Having just gone through a holiday season and spent time with family I don’t know that we could live at that level of love and joy on a constant basis.  We’d probably burn out.  So I think we tend to push things over in corners.  They’re there.  They are available.  They are real.  We bring them out as necessary.

So?  I think that’s one reason why the early morning worship time for me is so important.  There are things that I touch out there that I might not think about if I didn’t spend time focusing.  By pulling them out, I strengthen them.  I make them more functional.  So many reasons to be filled with praise.  

Double Edged Discretion

Proverbs 5:2 (KJV) That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

The word “discretion” in this verse stood out to me.  It seems such a positive attribute.  It’s a quality that we often overlook as we plunge ahead in our day and in our plans.  We invest the minutes of our life without stopping to think whether it’s a good investment.

In the context, it has the idea of retaining good knowledge, but if you look at the use of the word, it tends to go both ways.  It is also translated, “mischievous thinking”.  And that’s where this becomes double edged.  We need to not only regard our actions with discretion, but we need to use that same discernment when we look at what others are doing and what other others are proclaiming.

So?  When you read the news, when you listen to the sermon, when you are given advice, make sure that you are listening with your spiritual ears with discernment or as it says here “discretion”.  Sometimes what seems to be great advice with a little thought is clearly the wrong path to go down.  

Apprentice or Master?

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

It would be very easy to take the first part of this verse and put God in the position of being the hod carrier in building my life.  In case you’ve never been around construction, the hod carrier is the guy who carries the mortar up the ladder and dumps it in a place where the mason can use it.  He is the mason’s helper.  Too many people put God in that category.

Instead, you should look at this as the concept of the therapeutic nurse helping you get out of bed because it’s time for you to go to your exercises.  You are helpless or almost helpless.  You’re not going to be able to function at the level to which you need to function unless someone helps you.

That’s where God comes in.

So?  Are you guilty of looking at God is your servant?  It’s a serious question and a serious issue. Make sure you can give us a serious answer.

The Dichotomy of David

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

At the beginning of the Psalm we are told that this was written after Nathan had confronted David with his sin regarding Bathsheba.  In the context of that blatant disobedience and failure on David’s part, we have a long confession of guilt and throwing himself on the mercy of God.  Why was Saul rejected and David continually restored?  Why was David called a man after God’s own heart?  Read this chapter and find out.

I think David knew he had sinned, but it took Nathan to force the issue.  Would David have eventually come to this position without Nathan?  I guess it’s possible but this is the way it happened and here he is calling out in repentance.  I like that idea of renewal that is presented here.  That is a constant hope that we have.

So?  David was a failure in so many ways.  He was a success in the way that counts.  He lived in constant repentance and awareness of his failure.  That’s a good example for us.  

Special Delivery

Proverbs 2:4 (KJV) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

This verse is talking about Wisdom.  It could apply to any lesson that God wants to give you.  Are you seeking God’s will?  Do you want inspiration in a decision you have to make?  Take this passage to heart.  The answer will probably not walk up and bite you on the nose.  You will need to be looking for it.

Wisdom is not like those services that deliver a meal with all the ingredients to your doorstep on a regular basis.  For those all you have to do is sit back and wait.  When you open the door it is all there.  Wisdom is more like going to the fruit market, finding out what is on sale and checking out each apple for bruises and worm holes.

So?  Yes, God will on occasion give you a serendipity.  Usually you learn from applying yourself and listening with care.  Wisdom waits.

No ETA

Proverbs 1:3 (KJV) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

We will never arrive.  Our journey toward maturity will never end in this life.  Yes, there is the concept of reaching a certain point of fulfilling our destiny, but the growth will continue after that.  Peter does say that we are to be holy as God is holy.  Perfection is a word used for what you are as saints and it does mean maturity.  Having said that, we will never be able to rest on our laurels.

We always need to be seeking continued “instruction”.  Notice the four categories listed here.  We live in a day and age where these are desperately needed, but we live in a day and an age where counterfeits are offered up on a regular basis.  The only way that these can be real is if they are grounded in the eternal truths of God.

So?  Stay enrolled.  Make sure that you are in classes whatever the format of those classes would be.  It could be the Sunday sermon.  It could be a class itself.  It could simply be that you are diligently reading and listening to the voice of God.  Keep growing.

Preservatives

Psalm 40:11 (KJV) Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

My first reaction to this verse focused on the word “loving kindness” because this is one of my favorite words in the Bible.  But I noticed there was a second element here that was offered as a preservative.  That second element was “truth”.

I often lament about the fact that we can’t find any truth in the different offerings to us in media, social platforms, books, and magazines, and often even in the pulpit.  What David is telling us here is that God offers us the truth that we need but it’s not found in the public square.  The truth we need to preserve us is found in God himself and is expressed to us in His word.

We often come to the questions in our life and try to interpret what the Bible says through our experiences.  What would be more helpful is if we would come to our experiences in life and try and interpret them through what the Bible says.  What are the real preservatives in life?  Think of the food you eat.  You have the preservatives that in theory keep the food itself fresh.  I’m going rotten but in another sense, the food that we eat is what preserves us and keeps us going.

So?  Partake of the truth.  Get a steady diet of it.  Let it preserve you.  

More Angels

Psalm 34:7 (KJV) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

(Proverbs 27 also read)

I’ve been aware of angels and how they are sometimes sent to guard over us.

Psalm 91:11 (KJV) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

This is also quoted in Luke. This verse seems even stronger than that.

I like the idea. This verse has them setting up a camp around us.  How good is that?

So?  Rejoice in God’s Providence.  

And God Said

Psalm 29:9 (KJV) The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

I got almost all the way through this chapter before I got the connection.  I think it was the idea of the “hinds”, or deer”, calving that brought it to me.  Remember in Genesis how God spoke things into existence.  He would say things like “let there be light”.  That’s all it took, then we take the passage I believe in Colossians that talks about how Jesus holds everything together and you get this picture of God declaring what things are going to happen and they happen.

So you see this is not just a figure of speech, there is a literal element to it.  If you think about some of the creation accounts of pagan religions, and how to gods would be fighting and one would cut off the others head and man and woman would jump out.  In the Bible is simply a matter of God declaring.  What a difference.

So?  What is God declaring for you today?  Listen carefully or you might miss it.

A Point Missed

Proverbs 25:8-9 (KJV) 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

The KJV and the NASB are a bit different at this point.  If I had read this in the KJV I would have missed a vital point.  Notice that the KJV has “strive” in verse 8 and “debate” in verse 9.  My impression has been that these were two different Proverbs.  Usually in this book verses stand alone, not always but usually.  This seemed like another place where that happens.

Not so fast.

I noticed in the NASB that in both verses the word was “argue”.  I checked my software and the Hebrew is the same in both verses.  With that under my belt I noticed that both verses refer to “neighbor”.  This is an admonition to think before we disagree and to keep our disagreements to ourselves.

So?  It seems to practical but it does not hurt to be reminded of basics.

The Mystery of the Sanctuary

Psalm 27:4 (KJV) One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

There is no temple today.  If you think about it, there was no temple in the day of David.  Mentions of the temple in this chapter refer to the tent or tabernacle of God.  That is what David meant, so there is a bit of figurative vocabulary involved here.

Take that figurative truth, and transfer it to us today.  I do this on a regular basis.  Anywhere I am, I can call upon the Lord and in a very real sense I will be in His temple, I can be dwelling in His house.  One of the glories of worship is the God allows us to meet Him everywhere.

So?  I am taking advantage of that today.  I hope you are also.  Rejoice in His presence.  

Unexpected Hope

Psalm 22:15 (KJV) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

When you read this verse, make sure you see that it is consistent with its context.  This Psalm tells us that David wrote it.  This is David’s testimony.  Most of this chapter has the same sense that this verse does.  David is not a happy camper.

What is startling to me is that this is the person talked about,

Acts 13:22 (KJV) And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

I guess what stands out to me is that David, one of God‘s special chosen people, anointed king, writer of scripture, ancestor of the Lord, could know this kind of desperation.

So?  If you’re having a bad day, just keep believing.  Remember David himself had these kinds of days and if you want to look for it, you can probably find Jesus struggling at times also. 

Still a Standard

Proverbs 22:2 (KJV) The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

One of the unique qualities of Christian nations in the west is that they understand that the common man stands on level ground in front of the cross with those who consider themselves his ruler.  You’ll notice as you read through the Bible there is a total acceptance of the fact that some people will be peasants, and some people will be kings.  Some are rich, some are poor.  Slavery is not condemned because it seems that there are some people, often because of bad choices, who are destined for slavery.  No one wants to be a slave.  Everyone wants to be a king.  Somewhere in between those two polar points is the balance of society.

The point here is that there is a certain dignity in being a human being that supercedes our social structures and class systems.  In the midst of our differences, we are to acknowledge that there is a commonality that comes from being made by God.  This is the basic idea behind the Declaration of Independence which states that all men are created equal.

So?  Remember that that equality begins to decrease the moment you were born.  Some things you can control, some not.  What you can control is the attitude you have between those who are above you on the scale and those who are below you.  

Basics

Proverbs 21:3 (KJV) To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

This is a short verse and has no big theological words yet it is a bit of basic truth that we need to internalize.  To put it another way, attitude is more important than actions.

It isn’t that the actions are not still required.  The sacrificial system was not thrown out by God when He made statements like this.  He was simply pointing out to Israel under the law, and us under grace, that it is our genuine faith that gives feet to our obedience.

So?  Obey.  Live righteously.  Understand that such actions are only of value when rooted in a belief in the God of the Bible and His sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  

Quality Control

Psalm 20:3 (KJV) Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

There are two important understandings here.

The first is to remember our offerings.  And here I don’t think that we’re talking specifically about the temple sacrifices, although that was the focus for the Jews in their day, but even there it goes beyond just the literal legalistic offerings.  Here is to remember.  It is so easy to forget that we serve a living God and we are to serve in a living way.

The second thing that I think is important is to remember that we need God to accept our offerings.  This is a point that is the same for the Jew of ancient Israel or for the Christian today.  God does not look at the ritual.  He’s not impressed that you tithe.  He doesn’t care if you have those old-fashioned medals for attending Sunday school perfectly for 40 years.  He doesn’t care that you have never robbed a bank.  Well yes, of course He cares, but those are not the things that He’s looking at primarily.  He is focusing on your heart and where your heart is.  He wants to know your reason for obedience in going through the rituals.

So?  Be obedient.  That is necessary.  I don’t think it’s just enough to have the right actions.  If you don’t have the right attitude, the right heart, the actions are hollow echoes.  

Hidden Truth

Psalm 16:2 (KJV) [O my soul], thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

Psalm 16:2 (NASB95) I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”

(Proverbs 19 also read)

If you just read this in the King James, you would find it a bit confusing.  It gives you some idea that all the goodness you’ve been building up is given to God and that He’s supposed to treasure it.  He doesn’t.  That is basically true, but it misses the point.

The point is a basic doctrine of Christianity.  If you are Calvinist, you would find it in the concept of total depravity.  For the rest of us were content with such phrases as original sin.  The general idea, though is that we are incapable of reaching righteousness through our own efforts.  Yes, we can rescue kittens from trees.  We can help the old ladies across the street.  We can be honest in our income tax.  All of that is nice but not enough to get us into heaven.  It’s not enough to make it possible for us to stand before the judgment seat of God and expect to be not guilty.

So?  The great truths of Christianity are rooted in the Bible, in the Old Testament.  They’re not new ideas.  We may not understand them because the words of some of our translations are confusing, but they’re still there.  

Introvert or Arrogant?

Proverbs 18:1 (KJV) Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

I am an introvert.  I do not have a high need for company.  I am quite content in my room with a good book and a bit of music in the background.  That’s my basic personality.  My basic personality was also that of a sinner.  I was rebellious against God.  I was totally self-centered.  I was on my way to hell.

The point is that we are expected to change, grow, respond.  Just as the grace of God saved us from a life of sin and the Holy Spirit enables us to walk in righteousness, it might be a good idea to get out more.  At least that’s what this is saying to me today.  I need to get out more.  I need to interact with other human beings.

On one sense it’s my need.  In another sense, I have a responsibility to share, to give.  I often said that I never looked for a church based on what it would give me but a church in which I could give.  I always wanted to be in a place where my gifts could be used.  Part of the reason why I enjoy preaching so much is that listening to preaching tends to put me to sleep.

So?  Don’t be separated.  Join in.  Share the blessings of who you are.  Share the blessings of what God has made you.  It may be that you have a unique perspective on life with someone else needs to fill in the gaps with in theirs.  

Be a Shelter

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

Again a thought crossed my mind as I read this this morning about homes where one person is righteous and the other is rebellious.  How does that apply to such a home?

My mind goes to that passage, I believe in Paul,

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

Stretch it out a little bit and look at things on a national level.  Our country seems to be discarding any kind of moral fiber and heading down the drain.  We are getting fewer and fewer people who seek to be righteous.  At what point is the salt leached out and we are open to God’s retribution?

So?  Keep in mind that the Bible constantly talks about the faithful remnant and it’s very clear that the righteous will always be a minority.  Make sure you’re part of that minority and leave the big issues up to God himself.  

Singular and Plural

Proverbs 16:2 (KJV) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

In my first reading of this today, I noticed that “spirits” is plural.  When I read spirits in plural, my mind automatically goes to things like evil spirits and such, but that’s not what this is talking about and the plural is not used for just one word.  I noticed that “man” is singular, but it proceeds by talking about the “ways” of a man which is plural.

During our life, during our day even, we have many different paths that we might go down.  It could be something as literal as the route you take to work.  It could be a plan that you have to negotiate a business deal that day.  It could be considering whether you’re going to run for the Sunday school board.  There are many different paths that we follow each day.

And it’s possible that we can do them with different spirits, different attitudes.  What this is saying is that God looks at the attitude with which we approach the choice.  He’s not concerned primarily with how successful we are or how enthused, but whether we are following the right spirit.

So?  Always ask yourself why you were doing something.  Are you doing it for selfish motives?  Are you truly motivated by a benevolent attitude?  God knows, and I think He assumes that you know also.  

Pimento Pink

Proverbs 15:15 (KJV) All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

The point of this verse seems obvious so I naturally looked for a contrary view.  I began to ask myself what it means to be afflicted.  I am not the oldest person at my church.  There are a number of people who are constantly brought up for prayer that have been unable to attend for years because of their afflictions.  That is one view but what jumps out at me is the realization that many people who I see weekly are walking with “affliction” on a daily basis yet still face the day with joy.

That made me think that the type of affliction being referred to here is an affliction of attitude.  What you see if often a result of what you think or expect.  Picture going to a paint store to buy some white paint for your living room.  It is almost impossible to just buy white.  I remember something called “Navajo White” that we ended up getting.  Just as there are many versions of white there are many attitudes for today.

So?  Decide not to be afflicted.  Maybe it is possible to be “challenged” instead, or motivated to seek new options.  God would love to work the unexpected with you but often we block His input.

Keep Track

Proverbs 14:5 (KJV) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

We see two obvious categories here.  One is the honest and the other is the dishonest.  And the statements seem to be obvious.  My question would be how can you tell the difference if they’re good at lying?

I think one of the ways that we can tell the difference now is by having paid attention in the past.  Has the person been known to tell lies before?  Have they had shady business dealings?  Have they refused to pay legitimate debts that are not written out as official contracts?  Have they repeatedly deceived?

A little bit of thinking in the past can give you great insight into a person’s character.  Of course, if you’re in a situation where you don’t know their past, you are faced with difficult decisions.  Work with what you have.

So?  You’ve heard about a leopard changing his spots.  The same thing is true of a liar.

Which Is It, David?

Psalm 13:1 (NASB95) For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

Psalm 13:5 (NASB95) But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

All right, which is it?  These verses are just lines apart and yet they express totally opposite thoughts.  At the beginning, you have David complaining because God has forgotten him whereas later he is rejoicing.  Again I ask, which is it?

I’m sure it’s both.  We can go through quick cycles in our emotions.  Maybe this chapter is here to remind us of that.  I think of a missionary who wrote about how it seemed like the heavens were as brass.  She felt like God was not there and not listening.  I can’t remember how she worked through it, but I think it probably was based on the fact that she switched her mode from feelings to faith.

I know what it is to be down and out.  I have struggled with depression.  In my case, since it was probably what you would call a light depression, I finally realize that it was just an emotional issue of feeling sorry for myself.  In my case, it was a matter of getting my eyes on God and trusting in who He was.  I think maybe David was going through that.

So?  If you are in clinical depression, seek professional help.  Having said that, most of us go through times of mild depression, which can be dealt with simply by getting back on the path of faith and trust.  God will meet us and love us.  

Throne Location

Psalm 11:4 (KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

(Proverbs 12 also read)

There are some people who are fixated on the temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem as part of the end times.  They tend to also think of God’s throne being located in that temple.  They base their thinking on the mercy seat and the tabernacle which is described in the Old Testament.  I don’t think it’s realistic to think that the presence of the Creator of the universe could confine Himself to one spot in a tent or a building.  I think the idea was that that was the touch point where He met with His people.

This though seems to indicate that the location of God’s actual throne is in heaven.  I think it also indicates that in the end times if there is a temple, it will be in heaven.  Of course we have to deal with the fact that the apostle Paul talks about us being God’s temple as the Holy Spirit resides in us, but that’s a discussion for another day.

So?  When you think of the ultimate location of the throne of God and the temple of God, think of it in heaven, not in Jerusalem.  

Wishful Thinking

Psalm 10:13 (KJV) Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

This chapter in Psalms almost seems like it’s written by someone who is skeptical about the existence of God and very off target when it comes to the character of God.  It starts by accusing God of being far away.  It doesn’t work that way.  The one who has moved far away is not God, but the hesitant believer or the blatant denier.

Then we get down to this verse, which puts a target on the problem.  There are many people in the world who don’t think that God is paying attention.  The KJV here says that God will not require it.  The meaning of the word has the connotation that God is not going to look deep enough to know that there’s a problem.  It seems to assume that God is ignorant or negligent.  I would not count on that.

So?  Accept the fact that God is paying attention.  Accept that God is not going to turn his back on sin or evil.  Ultimately there would be a price to pay.  He is willing for you to trust in Jesus and let the blood of Jesus pay that price, but if not, His wrath will descend upon us.  Don’t live in denial.  

Start with a Name

Psalm 9:10 (KJV) And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

I have been slowly working through the book of Revelation and trying to understand what it’s saying.  It is an uphill grind.  The book of Revelation specializes in hiding its meaning.  Here I find a refreshing reminder of who God is and how He works with us.  Notice that there is a promise here.  It promises that God will not forsake us if we are seeking him.

But notice the condition of this promise:  We must be people who know His name.  Names were important in the period of the Old Testament.  They told you something about the person.  They laid a foundation for a relationship.  You might give different people different names and only tell your real name to an inner circle.

We see that in this verse, God has given us His real name.  In our translations it comes across as “LORD”.  Turn back to Exodus and remind yourself of how God said that this was His name and how that comes across as meaning, “I am”.  God exists.  The essence of His name is that He exists.  We are required to know that.

So?  Do you know that God exist?  Have you reached out and trusted in him?  He has promised not to forsake you.  He is.  He was.  He will be.  

First Step

Proverbs 9:4 (KJV) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

It occurred to me this morning that possibly the first step in gaining wisdom is to realize you need input from outside yourself.  I noticed that this is wisdom calling out here and accusing us of being simple.  Actually, as I have read this in the past I have breezed over it because I have not considered myself one of the simple.  Maybe that’s a first step that I need to grasp, or take, if that’s more appropriate.

As a skeptic, I asked a lot of questions.  You can ask stupid questions because you’re not listening.  I’m sure that I have my times when I do that, but most of the time I ask questions because I am listening.  Not only am I listening, but I am remembering things that I’ve heard and read before.  I like to think that most of my questions are based on either a lack of knowledge about something or a perceived inconsistency that I want to resolve.

So?  I plan on continuing to ask questions but I need to begin to assume, as a starting point, that I am not the wise one.  I need to be careful not to try to play “gotcha”.  

Priority

Proverbs 8:17 (KJV) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

I first read this in the NASB which says to “seek diligently”.  I found myself again wondering how that relates to “early” in the KJV.  The general idea is that when you get up and get started, that is when you seek God, not when the day is over or when you’re in the middle of trouble.  It brings to mind a New Testament scripture,

(Mat 6:33 KJV)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I think this is about priorities.  It tells us what our priorities should be in planning our day.  It’s not saying that you can’t find God if you wait until the crisis, or until you’re tired, or in the midst of chaos, but it is pointing out that the best way to know who God is, and what that means for your life, is to seek Him first.

So?  Start your day with a good spiritual breakfast.  Think in terms of tangents and vectors.  A small variation at the beginning of a line can make a massive difference when it arrives on target.

Gotcha

Proverbs 7:12 (KJV) Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

One of the games that we are constantly playing at my house is “gotcha”.  What this consists of is my grandchildren sneaking up on me as I am working at my desk or reading in my chair and making me jump.  That’s the normal.  At other times by coincidence I am situated where I can get them.  And as they say, “A good time was had by all.”

I noticed that after they have jumped me, I get cautious about walking through the house.  There are a number of corners, as I mentioned in this verse.  They might lay in wait around any of them.  There’s a way you can approach a corner without getting startled.  First of all, you have to be aware that you’re coming to a corner and that you need to be alert.  In life that’s where most of us err.  We don’t stop to think.  We get preoccupied.  If we think about it, we can situate ourselves so that we can at least have a glimpse of what’s around the corner before we get there.

So?  Evil is out to get you.  Accept that.  Be aware.  God is out to keep you from getting gotten.  Except that.  Be aware.  Rejoice.

A Surety Thing

Proverbs 6:1 (KJV) My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

I know I don’t need to remind you of what this is saying.  Then again, maybe I do.  This goes beyond irresponsible spending on ourselves and gets to the point where we step forward and help someone else spend irresponsibly.

If we are looking at a neighbor or a friend who is in genuine need then we have a responsibility to help.  That doesn’t mean guaranteeing loans.  It might mean a gift of cash.  It might mean a box of groceries.  It might mean some babysitting . It might be many things, but it does not mean putting your name on the line so they can buy a new car or a new home.

So?  The word of God sticks His nose in all of our areas of concern.  That is because God is concerned about all of our areas.  That includes our finances and the promises we make to others. Be careful out there.  

Satan’s Cleats

Proverbs 5:5 (KJV) Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Have you ever wondered why people reject the truth?  Have you ever wondered why they can’t see what seems so obvious?  Part of it is they have invested their life in evil and it really has a hold on them.  Here we see a description of what is basically a spiritualization of a prostitute.  She has decided the direction she’s going, and since she’s wearing her shoes with cleats on the bottom, her feet take hold.

Part of the idea on this is that when people decide on the direction their life is going to go, they start building in protection from getting off the path.  Hear the idea is that they’re wearing the kind of shoes that will give them good traction.  They are putting on what you might call Satan’s cleats.  It makes it very hard for them to get off the path.  Think of walking in Velcro shoes and going across a surface that has the other side in it.  It would be very hard to make a miss step.

So?  Make sure that your daily decisions keep you on the right path and keep you listening to truth.  Sometimes correcting your course is really difficult.  

Unvexed Bones

Psalm 6:2 (KJV) Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

I sat this morning crying out to God.  What is the problem?  That’s a good question.  And the answer is that I seem to have vexed my bones or you might say I have bones that are vexed.  I’m not sure what that meant in the original, but I like the word image.

Many times the real problem is not that He has turned against us or that things are hopeless.  It’s simply a matter of our bones getting vexed. where is often an attitude problem which is seated somewhere in our mind or our soul and keeps us from the joy of the Lord.

That’s me this morning.  That’s happened so often God just kind of slapped me up side the head and said, “Get on with it boy.”

So?  I am going to get on with it.  I’m going to remind myself that God is still on the throne and that my minor inconvenience is exactly that.  A glorious stairway to me if I will just open my eyes, set my pity pot aside and move forward with confidence.  

Wisdom of the Aged

Proverbs 3:2 (KJV) For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

One of the answers I’ve always come up with on why supposedly wise men die young and why being obedient doesn’t guarantee old age is that you don’t know how long somebody would’ve lived without the wisdom or obedience.  If someone dies at 45 it’s possible that they would have died at 35.  We can’t know that.

Another reason is that we’re wrong about the presence of wisdom.  There are many great thinkers in our history who have died young.  The reasons are buried, but they don’t live very long.  It’s possible that we are confusing intelligence with wisdom.  The two are not the same but from a distance might be hard to discern.

So?  Just because we don’t understand how to apply God’s promises doesn’t mean that they don’t apply.  

The Unexpected

Proverbs 2:4 (KJV) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

On my other blog where I write longer essays, I find that almost all roads lead to hidden treasures.  It doesn’t matter where I start, I end up getting back to making spiritual points.  Biblical principles and applications show up in the strangest places, but usually only if you are searching for them.

Searching for God’s hidden treasure is a mindset.  You can actually be reading the Bible and getting nothing out of it.  The Bible is useful as a tool of history.  Over the years in spite of claims that it is just fiction, it is amazing how often when the archaeologist and historians start looking, they find that the Bible is incredibly accurate.  They have found cities and civilizations that were listed no other place.  They found historical political positions that no one ever knew about outside of the Bible, until they dug a little deeper in the ruins and found evidence.

So?  Is the old saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  There are some real truths in that but most horses are smart enough to know when they need to drink, and when there is water in front of them.  Be like a smart horse.  

Never Too Old

Proverbs 1:5 (KJV) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

The first couple verses in this chapter seemed to be geared towards young people.  When you get to this verse, I think it infers that the wise man is not young.  This is a declaration to all of us, no matter what our age or circumstances that we need to listen and increase in learning and understanding.

One of the joys of studying God’s word is it seems to have that living and vibrant character which makes it possible to speak to us in ways that we had not heard before.  My hope is that as I read through this book again this month that there are hidden gems lurking and waiting to spring out at me and surprise me.

So?  Sometimes it’s the attitude that makes it possible to learn and grow.  May my attitude be good as I want it to be.  Actually, may my attitude be as good as God wants it to be.  

The Best Witness

Proverbs 31:31 (KJV) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The world would certainly be a better place if all women used chapter 31 as a model.  It would be even better if men would take the lessons that are here and apply them to their lives.

This final verse could be looked at as saying that the laborer is worthy of her hire, but I want to look at the second part.  It’s an interesting statement that her “works” are going to be what “praises” her.  So often we think that what we say is what people should be listening to, but how often do we listen to what other people tell us?  We’ve heard the platitudes about how actions speak louder than words, this makes it more than a platitude.

I don’t think that this model woman is going out each day asking herself, “What can I do today to make myself look good?”  I think she goes out each day simply committed to living an upright and righteous life, to working hard, to be honest and fair in all her dealings.  People notice.

So?  I would suggest that we continually check our motivation and make sure that it is pure.  When you compliment the pastor on a sermon either make it an honest statement of how you feel or simply find someone else to talk to.  Apply that liberally to the rest of life.  

What Is Meditation?

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

(Proverbs 30 also read)

I first read this today in the NASB.  I noticed that it has the word “meditate”.  That made me think that perhaps there is something here having to do with the definition of what it means to meditate.

I looked over and saw that the KJV had a different word.  The Hebrew seems to mean “talk or speak”.  So what does meditation mean?  What does it mean to commune with your heart?  I would suggest that there’s an element here of talking to yourself.  It doesn’t mean you’re crazy.  It means you’re throwing around ideas.  You can even involve talking to God or to the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.

So meditation in the Christian world is not emptying your mind and humming a mantra like the eastern religions do.  It is a matter of taking a truth and wrestling with it.  Argue with it.  Give it a piece of your mind.  Get closer to truth.

So?  That gives you something to do when you can’t sleep at night if nothing else.  Meditate.  Think about the things of God.  Talk them over even when no one else is around.  

Façades

Proverbs 29:24 (KJV) Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

This verse brought to mind a podcast I was watching where a woman was expressing how happy she was to be unmarried, childless, living alone, and approaching middle age.  I heard the words.  I’m afraid I didn’t believe them.  Certain types of people are expressed in this verse as hating their own souls.

We see people around us, smiling, and laughing.  I don’t know how many times they have to make some commercials in order to get the exact proper effect.  I still remember a billboard for some beer, where the waitress was walking along with a whole bunch of bottles, and this glowing look of happiness on her face.  I wonder how many models they had to interview in order to find the expression they were looking for.

We need to understand that just because people look happy doesn’t mean that they are.  What’s somewhat amusing is that in the church the opposite can also be true.  Just because someone looks like a sour puss doesn’t mean that they are.  Engage them in conversation and you’ll find out that there is an inner joy.  They can’t help it if their face is sagging.

So?  Always focus on the inner man both in those around you and within yourself.  Rejoice in the God of your salvation.  Notice that the root word in rejoice is joy.  

Putting It All in Perspective

Proverbs 28:5 (KJV) Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

We like to find categories such as wisdom, the law and righteousness.  We like terms and theological concepts, such as grace and justification.  Most of these concepts get watered down and lose their meeting when we start trying to deal with the world around us.  That’s because we forget what our real focus and our real target should be.

Notice here our understanding is dependent upon us seeking the Lord.  I haven’t looked at the Hebrew tenses and I’m not that good at Hebrew, but I have a feeling that this concept here is a continual, ongoing, unrelenting seeking of the Lord.  When we have a situation that we do not understand, when we have to make a judgment, if we’re just going on our college classes or our articles of faith, we are doomed to failure.  Everything is to be based on us continually seeking the Lord.

So?  There are the subjective aspects of the seeking such as prayer and meditation.  There’s more important the objective foundations of the seeking in the word of God and our study of the word.  Seek God on all fronts and He will grant us understanding.  

Preserving Riches

Proverbs 27:24 (KJV) For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Don’t be distracted by the word “riches”.  The immediate context here is the obvious meaning of the word.  The connotation has to do with David and his descendants.  It applies to us in our daily life.

Think of the holidays that are just past.  Think of the gatherings to come.  In your mind look around the table and see all the people that you have influenced over the years.  The point here is that you continue to influence them.  They’re still watching.  You may not think they’re listening, and it’s true.  They may not actually hear the words you say, but they hear the words you live.  Your influence over your children and your extended family never ends.

I know that, especially when you get older, you feel like no one cares and that you have nothing else to give.  That is not true.  Even your neighbors watch how you respond to things.  People in the car next to you watch how you drive.  When you pray over your meal in a restaurant, other diners, watch how you treat servers.

So?  We always have to maintain our spiritual and social accounts.  Live is God designed you to live and the investment will pay off.  

Be Careful What You Ask For

Psalm 3:1-2 (KJV) 1 [[A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.]] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

You’re looking at the situation where we see God stepping in to save David’s life.  When it comes right down to it, that’s not really what David wanted God to do.  Yes, David wanted to be removed from the threat that his son was presenting him.  The problem is that David wanted to be rescued without harming his son.  In fact, when victory seemed to be within reach his instructions were to not harm the poor boy.

God had a different salvation in mind.  Absolom would’ve been the next king if he’d won or if he’d been preserved.  God did not want that to happen.  He planned on preserving David’s life, but He did not plan on doing it at the cost of having this narcissistic, spoiled, power hungry, young man given the throne.

So?  David got what he was wanting in the sense of being preserved, but not in the way in which he wanted it to happen.  Be aware that God has our best interest in mind, but He also has His plans and His priorities.  Be careful what you ask for.  

A Timely Request

Psalm 147:6 (KJV) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

As we look at the things happening in the world, we see a lot of evil.  We see a lot of wickedness and wicked individuals who are pushing their agenda.  At times it seems like the country is on the verge of breaking out in violence from both sides not just from one.  People feel like sometimes the only way they can defend themselves is to get a bigger club and start swinging.

We should be doing something else.  We should be seeking God to be casting the wicked down.  We have evidence in Psalms that God deals harshly with those who live in rebellion and who support evil.  We need to make this a focus of our prayers.  Of course we would pray for their redemption.  The ultimate answer is for them to get saved and get their life together.  Along with that, though, we need to ask God to step in and work as well on these people that are spitting in His face and on His people.

So?  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Prayer is not our last resort, or it shouldn’t be.  We should be starting on this now.  Pray for a victory of justice and righteousness, and the destruction of evil.   

Common Fallacy

Proverbs 24:29 (KJV) Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

There are several things going on in this verse, but I want to point out that it’s easy to misunderstand the second part.  Other places in Proverbs, we are told not to respond to a fool in the same way that he acts, but in the next verse, we are told to respond in a way that his acts deserve.  I think that’s part of what’s going on here.

We are not to respond in the sense of seeking vengeance or even justice for ourselves.  That’s what this is about.  Other places it tells us that we have a responsibility to rebuke and correct.  It’s our motive and our goal that is in question. we have a responsibility to try and bring people to the right decisions, but we have a command of God not to use the law just to advance our own agenda.

So?  It might be hard to know the difference sometimes.  We always need to start by examining our own hearts.  We need to not respond from emotion, but reason.  The Holy Spirit will help us make these choices.  

It Sure Looks Good

Proverbs 23:31 (KJV) Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

This reminds me of how as a kid I often thought the beer in the commercials looked really good.  It looked like it had a a rich warm taste kind of like cream soda only deeper.  Here it is talking about wine and it can certainly look good on TV.  Then came the day when I actually tasted beer.  I think I was able to control myself and I didn’t spit it in anybody’s face.  It was disgusting.  I wondered how anybody could drink it.  My brother pointed it out to me that I learned to drink coffee, so I guess there is a way in which you can get used to anything.

This is the danger of advertising.  Advertising works because we look around us and take things at the surface level.  I remember looking at the Clickbait about some famous Hollywood star and they commented on how good she looked at her age.  I agree.  She looks good at her age.  It might be more appropriate to say that she had a marvelous make up artist on her payroll.  I would venture a guess that her make up looks good at her age, but she, not so much.

Because we have the word, the eternal truth, the unchanging standard we are able to look at façades and if we really care see what’s underneath.

So?  Don’t be fooled.  Those people laughing in the commercials are actors.  They were hired because they laugh well and have great smiles.  It says nothing about what’s really going on in their life.  Rejoice in the God of your salvation, not in the cleverness of the ad campaign.  

No Trade Imbalance

Proverbs 22:2 (KJV) The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

One of the core values, or principles, of the kingdom of God is that we all stand on level ground in front of the cross.  There is a sense in which none of us is better than anyone else.  This is one of the core things about Christian culture, it gives humans dignity because we have value in the eyes of God.  We are all made by Him.

At the same time, the Bible acknowledges that there are rich and poor.  It acknowledges that there are kings and nobles, as well as workers and slaves.  We should not get into denying that kind of thing.  The point isn’t that there are not people with different abilities in different positions in society, the point is that we are to treat each other with a dignity that you don’t find in other cultures.

So?  You may be a CEO.  I may be flipping hamburgers.  When we meet in Bible study, we salute each other as brothers and move forward together, each one contributing what is unique in the gifts God has given them.  

The Right Focus

Psalm 143:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of David.]] Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

(Proverbs 21 also read)

Later on in this Psalm, David will be asking for God’s protection, but even more important he will be asking that God would lead him in the paths of righteousness.  He’s not only concerned about his outward being, but also his inward being.

We need to start with these kinds of requests by the insight that he gives us in this first verse.  Our expectation of God answering us is not based on our eloquence, vocabulary or education.  It is based on His faithfulness.

So?  When you pray a prayer of faith, it’s not so much faith that God is going to answer your prayer but faith in His character.  

Spirit Source

Proverbs 20:27 (KJV) The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

As I was reading this, I was wondering how our spirit would illuminate what goes on inside of us.  One clue might be that this spirit is usually translated breath, and so you could think of it as the breath of God that is implanted in us, and then God uses that to examine us.

That still isn’t clear.  God views what goes on in our life, our actions, our attitudes, our general spiritual health based upon the inner spirit that we have.  That inner spirit determines how God judged us more than our actual behavior.  While behavior is important, I wouldn’t want to belittle that, the reason for what we do is even more important.

So?  When seeking God’s touch always make sure that you focus on your heart, your spirit, that inner core of who you are.  Ask, and expect, God to transform that.  

He Started It

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

It used to be that the trip home from church was the invitation for war in the backseat.  It was always the other person’s fault.  It seems like the kids always felt like there would be nothing that we as adults could do about what they were doing.  One of the great things about getting older and spending time with your kids is they tell you about things you did as a parent that you don’t remember.

Evidently, there was one day when our kids were acting up in the backseat.  Repeated warnings fell on deaf ears.  The kids felt like since we were on the road there was nothing that could really be done.  Evidently I stopped the car in the middle of the road , got out, opened the back door and got serious about discipline.  I didn’t pull off in a parking lot.  There was no place to pull off.  I dealt with it right there in the middle of the street.  My kids still remember that.

When I look at this verse, I wonder if this is about a family where the father never pulled the car over and got out to deal with a problem.  I wonder if it’s the result of a lack of discipline.  Keep in mind that a lack of discipline is a two-way street.  If the parent doesn’t offer it the child doesn’t receive it, the result is disaster.

So?  Whether you are a parent or a grandparent, you still are molding the younger generation.  I will admit that original sin is real.  I understand that people make choices on their own.  We as responsible adults need to help them make those decisions and learn the consequences.  

Questioning Cultural Norms

Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

As I read this this morning in the NASB, I found myself realizing that it is contrary to much popular advice.  I watched some Clickbait recently talking about the five things that caused men to die early.  It was interesting but had a lot of nonsense involved.  I have a suspicion it was generated by AI.  One of their points was that isolation is a major cause of early death in men.  In the course of the discussion they talked about how when you’re younger you have many friends but then when you get older, you might just be down to two involvements.

A note was the two involvement they chose.  First was family and second was yourself.  In some families, I could see how a person in that situation might be very isolated.  In some families, there is no contact, no bonding, in a word no love.  Most of the families I know are interacting enough that no one person would consider himself isolated.  As for the second thing, counting yourself as an involvement is rather strange.  I noted that they left out the church.  They obviously had no sense of contact with God himself.  It was rather a short list.

But my point is that what Proverbs is saying here is there’s a real danger in having too many friends.  That’s counterintuitive in our culture.  We are told we need to get out and relate to people.  I’ve always wondered when popular figures talk about how this person was their good friend and then a few paragraphs later, they’ll talk about someone else who was their good friend.  When you read through everything they have to say it seems like they have more really good friends than it’s possible to spend time with.

So?  Don’t feel like you have to keep up with your friendly local counselors advice about finding new friends.  If you have a few good friends that will probably take up all the extra energy you have.  If you have family, they qualify.  Build your standards on what the Bible says not on psychology advocates.  

Character over Class

Proverbs 17:2 (KJV) A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

One of the characteristics of human society is that we tend to arrange ourselves in a hierarchy.  It may start as a ladder of ability, but eventually because of family ties or personal ambitions it reverts to a class system built on genetics.  This is a subtle reminder that what God is looking for is not people with the right blood, but people with the right attitude.

It always helps to be a son.  You start with one foot up on the climb of the ladder of life.  You have benefits that other people might not have.  The point here though is that God looks at whether we grasp the wisdom available to us and act on it or whether we just rest on our laurels.

The plan that God has for mankind is that the cream will rise to the top.  This of course is in addition to the concept of grace and faith, God is the one who does the saving and the redeeming.  In spite of that basic truth, there is still the idea that God will honor those who honor him.

So?  Get the basic business done.  Make Jesus your Lord and Savior.  And then apply the wisdom that He gives you to live an upright life.  Keep in mind that the church secretary may be higher at
the Lord’s dining table than the pastor son.