Well Established

Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

As I compare translations of this verse I am not satisfied with most. I am reflecting on the word the KJV translates “pure” and the NASB of 1977 and 1995 as “tested”. My software tells me this is a verbal adjective. That speaks to me of a process, not a final result. Although I don’t disagree with the idea of pure, I don’t think that is the point here.

It is also in the passive voice. In this place it is reflecting on the process that mankind has gone through over the centuries. We have tested God’s word and found it pure. Past generations testify to that. I hope we can join that chorus and proclaim that we have also found it adequate.

So? We can find the answers to the big questions of life in God’s word. Count on it.

Motivation

Psalm 116:1 (KJV) I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

When I first read this I felt like it was a poor motivation to love the Lord. It seemed a bit selfish and self-centered.

Yet, is that true? Think of the different emotions that are mentioned when it comes to how we relate to almighty God. We have fear. How about petition. I know awe and reverence. Yet it would seem that in the midst of all those responses the one that He really seeks is love. John points this out to us.

1 John 4:8 (KJV) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

That seems pretty simple. Is He holy? Yes. Is He omnipotent? Without question. But at the basic level, He is love.

So? While we might not be able to relate to omniscience we can certainly know love. Rejoice in the God we serve.

Odd in Adversity

Psalm 112:7 (KJV) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

Here the author is talking about the righteous man. There is a lot that goes before this verse but this seems appropriate for today. We are deluged with information and opinions that spell doom and gloom. We wonder where the economy is going and if the fiber of our society is totally frayed and unraveling. These are real concerns and we need to live with our eyes open, but…

As we fear the Lord, that tamps down the fear of other things. Does this verse promise that evil tidings will never come? No. It tells us how we are to respond. Raise your eyebrows when you hear things. Lock your doors. Buy some extra toilet paper if that is a need. Take the evil tidings as information to consider as you plan your day but not a reason to panic.

So? There are repeated statements about how God will care for His people. What we overlook is that His people is not a general statement for the majority but a promise for the remnant. Make sure you are one of the faithful and trust in His word.

On the Upswing

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

(Proverbs 27 also read)

This morning as I sat on the porch this verse came to mind. I was thinking about all the scripture I used to have memorized that has faded. It is tempting when you get into retirement to take a lot of naps and develop mind numbing rituals such as watching the tube. This reminded me that God is not through using me and my gifts. Will I change the world?  Not before the Day of Christ Jesus. Will anyone notice? Don’t count on it. Will I know and will God know? Definitely.

How many others things have I allowed to fade from my daily life? Music comes to mind. I used to be able to sit in the dark on the shores of Maui and play with great worship for a couple of hours, just from memory. Now? Maybe one or two songs. I am reaching back to retrieve that and there are many other areas I am searching.

So?  I intend to get back into stretching my personality and joy of life. The guiding rails will be worship and praise of God. The condiments will be family, friends and community. Let the good work continue.

Peace Question

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (KJV) 23 [Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

Here in the middle of this chapter about the anger of God and His threat of retribution, we find this question. It is a question that was aimed at Israel. It was a question which was intended to remind them of the nature of God.

The answer, of course, is, “No”. He is not a god who is far. He is a god who is intimate and involved. Two theological words that keep coming back to my mind about the nature of God. One is transcendent and the other is eminent. Both of those are addressed here. And they applied to us because we serve the same God that had revealed Himself to Israel.

Yes, God is transcendent. He is out there. He is the creator of the world and the universe. Earlier the chapter talks about the whirlwind and imminent refers to God speaking to Job out of the whirlwind. God is also imminent. He is here with us just as He was there with Israel.

So? Embrace the truth. Embrace the One who is truth. While you’re at it, let Him embrace you.

Stand Quietly

Proverbs 25:6 (KJV) Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

I will never be near a king and I don’t tend to rub elbows with the great. I am surrounded by normal people. The world being what it is that means that at least half of them are below average. What this is saying to me today is that I need to spend a lot of energy keeping my mouth shut.

The closest I will come to great people would be some of the saints in the church. In reality, they don’t need to hear my opinions about a lot of things. If we’re discussing the scripture, I can put in my two cents worth, but I need to realize that it’s only worth two cents and the penny doesn’t go as far as it used to.

So? Feel free to think, research, study, all those things, but be aware that you don’t really need to share everything you know, at least I don’t.

The War Will Come to You

Proverbs 24:6 (KJV) For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

I did my time in the Army.  No one asked me anything about how to win a battle or conduct an operation.  I did make coffee and type documents.  I don’t have any plans to make a war.

But I am involved in spiritual warfare.  So are you.  The enemy is basically spiritual but he works through real people and situations.  We need to learn to deal with those even if we want to be pacifists.  That option is not open to us.  Well, actually I guess we can think it is but it is one of those situation where no answer is an answer of “no.”

So?  Pay attention to the lessons of wisdom.  The best source is your Bible and your eyes.  Another good source could be your ears if you have wise people around you.  The war is not coming.  It is already here.   

What It Does Not Say

Proverbs 23:5 (KJV) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

When I see advice like this my mind goes into extremist mode. I take a simple statement, apply my imagination, distort the message and run with it. How would that happen here? I would make this a statement that I do not need to work hard and save because it will all fly away in a moment.

While it is true that “chance” happenings can destroy the plans of a life time that is not the point here. The key is in setting our eyes on quicksand goals. I think of the stock market. Some people say it is a gamble. Only in the sense that life is a gamble. Only in the sense that marriage and family are gambles. If you are speculating then you can lose your shirt. If you are in for the long haul you will probably be okay. This was true in the stock market crash of 1929 and it is true today.

So? Make your foundation the God of the universe. Apply His principles and live according to His owner’s manual. You may have bad days but will have good years.

Detour

Proverbs 22:5 (KJV) Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

Life is full of traps. Most of us know not to go looking for trouble. Such advice as, “Don’t go down dark alleys” should be common sense. Too often we tend to think we are smarter than the average bear and such advice does not apply to us. I predict a future of thorns and snares for such clever people.

On the other hand there is a promise here. Stay away from things that have an evil smell or appearance. It really begins that basically. If you do that then the traps of life will be on a road you do not follow.

So? Does this guarantee that you will never face a temptation? I don’t think so but it is clear that living in thoughtful righteousness can keep us away from most tragedy.

Golden Thoughts

Proverbs 21:5 (KJV) The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

The word “diligent” is translated “gold” more often than diligent. I personally find that a bit confusing. It will come across as “fine” gold or “refined” gold. That might give us an indication of what is going on here.

We are talking about people who are willing to apply the thought process to come to a valid conclusion. Too often we go off half-cocked and are surprised when we can’t hit the target. I think the term “half-cocked” comes from the safety on certain types of firearms that set the safety when the hammer is pulled half way back. You can fire it before you pull it back. You can fire it when it is all the way back. The first click means that all you can do is wave it around.

So? With a revolver, half-cocked is a good thing. When making decisions it makes your thinking useless. Think with focus and without haste. Give God a chance to cut through the fog and supply a path.

Act Like It

Proverbs 20:6 (KJV) Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Talk is cheap. It is also abundant. We tend to be locked into our own worlds and have a hard time accepting that we are bloviating. Accept it and try to rein it in.

And apply the other end of the spectrum. Act like you are the person your talk describes. This is important. Many people are locked into a theology that claims your beliefs are what matters. They do, but the Bible is also full of admonitions to act according to your speech.

So? The world is watching. Are you an example of holiness or a demonstration of an empty balloon?

We Have Glory?

Psalm 108:1 (KJV) [[A Song [or] Psalm of David.]] O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

This is a serious question. This word is often part of the phrase “the glory of God”. I have a hard time taking that concept and combining it into the composite of my being.

How can I have glory? It is also translated “honor” and “abundance”. I’m not sure about the honor part but I do know that God has supplied me with abundance. Perhaps that gives a clue. We are to sing to God. We are to praise God. And we need to do this out of our abundance not out of our leftovers. Later on David talks about singing in the morning. I like that picture. Of course you have to get up in the morning and be out on the porch to get a feel for that, but I do that.

So? I want to begin my day alert, fully invested and focused on him. That seems like a good way to start.

It Depends

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

(Proverbs 18 also read)

Here is another verse that would drive me toward a translation other than the KJV. “Inventions” means evil deeds. Go figure.

What struck me here was to two opposite actions of God. The first thing He does is forgive. Then He takes vengeance. In my book, and in most books, the two do not go together. I think that something is understood here. What is understood is confession and repentance.

God is willing to forgive. He wants to forgive. Being a holy and just God He has expectations of us, which are those two things. If we are not willing to repent then His forgiveness turns to vengeance.

So? Rejoice in His mercy but understand that His forgiveness is conditional.

Long Term Effects

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

This again reminds me of my father.  I was truly blessed in my choice of parents.  I wish I could take credit for it.  I am not sure I would have had the wisdom to see past the outer crust.

My father was a blue collar worker at best.  He was not a smooth talker and at the end of the day really needed a shower.  The glory was buried underneath all that.

The results are more impressive.  Not only did he raise four boys to be responsible adults who loved the Lord but that heritage has been passed down to the next generation.  All my nieces and nephews fit into those categories.  I am trusting that the next generation will also follow.

So?  I hope you can also rejoice in the heritage, or as here glory, that came to you.  If not, you can at least be the one to start a new path for your children.  

Modern Assumptions

Psalm 96:10 (NASB95) Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”

(Proverbs 16 also read)

I quote this in the NASB because of the modern assumptions that often go into our reading and thinking.  When modern, brainwashed Americans hear the word “equity” they tend to to think in the terms of the modern PC crowd.  To them this is a verse that can be used to support “social justice”.

Not so fast, Sherlock.

The NASB has a footnote telling you this has the idea of judging with “uprightness.”  The KJV uses “righteously.”  The thought is that God will judge according to His holy nature, not according to what we think of as fairness.

So?  Be careful of any thinking that puts God in a position where He is here to serve us.  When He judges us it will be according to His will, not ours. 

Guard Duty

Proverbs 15:5 (KJV) A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

It is easy to read a chapter in Proverbs.  It is automatic to watch a video.  We can even sit through sermons without having to engage.  That is the way of the fool and I am hoping that none of us want that label.  I certainly don’t.

So what am I to do?

I am to “regard”.  To most of us that means to simply look at but pretend that it is a compound word that means to guard again.  The word itself has the foundation of carefully studying the ground around your guard tower, looking for anything out of the ordinary.  It should become a habit with us.

So?  Stop and listen to any criticism that comes your way.  You might have to do a little digging because often the criticism is sugar coated.  Spend a bit of time asking yourself if there is any lesson for you.  Act of the results.  

Poison and Antidotes

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

I often complain about the lack of information about the world which can be believed.  We all have heard of Fake News and if we pay attention enough to compare sources we see it everywhere.  This is a reminder that we should be developing trusted people and venues.  That will not happen overnight.  It takes time and demands that we are alert.

Has a news anchor given you false information?  You might only know if you remember what was said and compare it to later observations.  This, again, requires focus and effort on our part.

I think part of the idea here is that we are to be responsible consumers of news and information about the world around us.  Admit that liars exist.  Recognize evil when you see it.  Apply the appropriate response.  Sometimes that will be just ignoring it.  At other times action may be required.

So?  We are called to truth and honesty.  Be part of the light in a dark world.  

Look No Farther

Are you looking for an understatement?  Look no further,

Psalm 92:5 (KJV) O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

God’s thoughts are deep.  Yes, I would say so.  That is not the profound part of this.  What touches my heart today is that God is willing to lower Himself enough to be receptive to my feeble words.  My grandson was over and when he gets going it is impossible to understand him.  There have never been times when I wished for the gift of tongues but I have yearned for the gift of ears.

God does not have that problem and that is another reason to rejoice.

So?  Speak to Him freely from your heart.  Try to express yourself for your benefit but rest in the assurance that He understands beyond what we can ask or think.  

Again

Proverbs 12:5 (KJV) The thoughts of the righteous are  right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

In this chapter I counted a form of the word “righteous” nine times.  Again that does not include the synonyms.  If it is impossible to live a righteous life then there are a lot of empty verses in this chapter.

It might be beneficial to read down, isolate the references to righteousness and ask yourself how that could be applied in your life.  God is involved with His people.  We have eternal promises but there are also consequences of how we act in our lives today.

So?  Seek to live an upright life.  It is not a matter of eternity.  Jesus took care of that but He wants to be reflected in your life today.  

Why Mention Righteousness?

Proverbs 11:5 (KJV) The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

As I read this chapter I was struck by the repeated reference to righteousness.  I started counting and came up with thirteen times some form of the word was used.  That does not include such words as “perfect” which is used in this verse.

The reason this gets my attention is that there are so many people who claim that it is impossible to be righteous.  If it is impossible then why is it referred to so frequently?  This chapter, and many others, assume that living an upright moral life is within our reach.  It is assumed that we make decisions to live this way.  Yet there are whole theological systems that say it is impossible.

So?  The older I get the more questions I have about some of the traditions and customs we have that we substitute for what the Bible actually says.  Read and absorb what God says before you consult the gurus.  

I Keep Seeing It

Proverbs 10:6 (KJV) Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

It’s funny the way God’s coincidences keep showing up.  This morning one of the thoughts I was having as I was listing my blessings had to do with my unworthiness and the way in which God has poured out His bounty on me.  I don’t deserve my situation in life.  At least that’s what people keep telling me.

Don’t get confused by the issue of salvation as opposed to God’s blessing on our daily lives.  Salvation is based on us trusting in the blood of Jesus to forgive our sins.  There’s nothing we can do to cause forgiveness on our own energy, no matter how you phrase it.  It is the choice of God to extend forgiveness and cleansing.

On the other hand, I can see constant mentions like this of how God gives blessings to those who are obedient and who walk in righteousness.

So?  Accept it.  God keeps promising it, and it seems to me that He delivers.  If you’re not receiving the blessings, then a serious question, offered without judgment, is “Are you living an upright life?”  

Evangelism, OT Style

Psalm 91:9 (KJV) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

(Proverbs 9 also read)

If you look at the flow of this passage you will see what seems to be a dialogue between two people.  One already knows the Lord.  Look at the witness of the first verses.  The second has come to trust in YHWH.

It would seem that there has been some sharing going on.  The first man has shared his confidence and it pointing out that God will be there for his friend too.  And you will notice that there is no mention of the law, just trust.

So?  People have been witnessing for thousands of years.  Join in the parade of faith.  

Breakfast Verse

Psalm 119:18 (KJV) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

These would be wonderful words to start each day.  How often can you think of that you read a portion of scripture and your mind is still empty.  There is no insight, no joy, no wonder, no conviction.  I often wonder how much is due to me not being receptive or expectant.

Viewed with an attitude of privilege, the law is a meddlesome burden.  It is just something getting in the way of my dreams and desires.  If we begin our day that way it is no wonder we have legal sawdust in our soul.  Instead we need to seek to see what God has for us.

So?  It is so easy to fall into methodical stupor.  If that is a problem then copy this verse and put it on your mirror so you can see it every morning.  

Quiet Guides

Proverbs 7:5 (KJV) That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

The “they” in this verse refers to the lessons in wisdom that have been offered over the years by the recipient’s father.  I would guess that some things have been repeated so many times that the advice goes in one ear and out the other.  My wife is always trying to tell me the exciting details of the Fake Weather News for the morning.  If I panicked quickly I would never go out of the house.  That does not mean that I don’t need to be reminded that there is weather.

One reason I don’t necessarily need a reminder today is because I have a lifetime of watching the weather.  I have learned that if I hear the sound of raindrops it is probably raining.  If I see the trees dancing through the window it is probably windy.  I have internalized the lessons of forgetting my umbrella.  Thus wisdom can help us to shape our day and our lives.

So?  It makes a difference.  Rejoice in what you have built in over the years and keep looking out the window to see what today’s weather has in store.  

What Is So Special about Zion?

Psalm 87:2 (KJV) The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

I must confess, I do not know.  I have no grasp of why the Creator of the galaxies should have great affection for a hill in the Middle East.

It can’t be inherent value.  I don’t know of anything about Mount Zion that makes it more worthy than any other mountain.

It must be because He chose it.  It is special because He declared it so, similar to the place of Israel as His special people.  He makes it clear that they were not chosen because they were noble and more deserving.  It may simply be that someplace had to be chosen and this is it.  I remember my first guitar.  Looking back it was just a basic, economy version but it was special in my eyes.  It had, and still has, a name.  It is still living in my brother’s house.  It was special because it was mine.

So?  We are also special.  It isn’t because we are more deserving than Joe Pagan who lives next door.  It is because we are His.  

Turn off the Radar

Proverbs 5:6 (KJV) Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

There is an aspect of this verse that some translations do not bring out.  It is found in that first word, “Lest”.  Many, possibly most, people have a built in avoidance technique that keeps them from encountering uncomfortable truths.  Think of the ways in which modern automobiles have built in guidance systems.  My son has a new car that wants to do the driving for him.  When he is in his geek mode he delights in a car that slows down automatically when he comes up behind another vehicle.  He gets a kick out of how it will stay between the lines.

Then life intervenes and he is forced to admit that he is responsible.  When it follows the off ramp that he did not want to use it presents a problem.  When it jams on the breaks for no discernible reason he ends up in panic mode.  There is a price to be paid for going on automatic.

Too often people prefer to turn off the sensitivity they have built in to the things of God.  In this verse we have someone who is working to avoid thinking about the consequences that her choices deliver.  She doesn’t want to know.  That will not remove the wall she is heading for.

So?  Pay attention.  God offers guidance but you have the ability to ignore it.  Remember that there are results you can expect depending on your choices.  You can label them rewards or consequences but they will come.  

Watch the Twist

Proverbs 4:5 (KJV) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

I was confused by the word “decline” in the KJV.  The NASB has “turn away”.  So I did a little digging and found that one of the possible meanings of the Hebrew is to twist or warp.

It does not do any good to read truth if you forget it.  Even worse is the way in which we can take clear statements and twist them to fit in our personal agenda or belief system.  How many teachers and preachers take the Bible and pervert it for their own agenda?  More than I would like to admit.  Sometimes it is relatively harmless and other times it does major damage.

So?  Read for yourself.  Does the preacher give you a text for the sermon?  Read it yourself.  Does the author tell you, “The Bible says”?  Look it up.  God offers wisdom but even gold coins can be clipped and debased.  

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.