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.