A Voice of Despair

Psalm 42:10 (KJV) As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

(Proverbs 30 also read)

I am currently reading a book about the Crusades.  As the last Christian stronghold fell to Islam and a few managed to escape they left behind their despair.  Their cry was the same as that from this Psalm.  If you are feeling that sense of hopelessness be aware that you are not the only voice in the night.

The part we might miss if we only looked at this verse is that there are other places in this Psalm that talk about God’s loving kindness and mercy.  Why the sudden chasm of hope?

We need to be encouraged to take the larger vision of life.  There are ups and downs.  We are not given specifics about the feeling of failure in this verse but if you look at the overview of Jewish history you see that the times God allows disaster are a result of large parts of the nation thumbing their collective and individual noses at Him.

So?  We do not live in isolation.  The effects of other people’s sin and degradation will often spill over onto our surroundings.  Keep the faith and trust that God will preserve His remnant.  Make sure you are part of that. 

Waiting for the Hunter

Proverbs 29:25 (KJV) The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

I have never set a snare but in my mind the snare does not necessarily kill the rabbit it catches.  I think of a snare as something that stops your freedom of movement and leaves you to become part of the harvest.

Fear does that to us.  It keeps us from moving freely through life.  It limits our options, not because we can’t see them but we are immobilized.

So?  God wants us to be free from those crippling limitations.  He wants us to learn to avoid the dangers of life, not life itself.  Trust and rejoice.  

Pit Stops Win Races

(Pro 28:9 KJV)  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

This is not about keeping the law.  This is a foundation for disobedience.  This talks about not even listening.  Extend it to your personal spiritual discipline.  Do you spend time reading the word?  Do you spend daily time reading the word?  How can you know anything about the God you claim to worship if you are not paying attention?

In my worst moments I think about pastors who preach without studying and praying about what they are going to say.  I realize there are times when life rears up and absorbs all your time but if there is no specific goal to seek truth in the word, it will never happen.

And we as layman have a similar struggle.  How will you know if what your pastor tells you is valid unless you have your Bible open during the sermon and go to it during the week?  The obvious answer is you can’t.

So?  Pay attention to the second part.  If you are not listening your speaking becomes evil.  Lay the groundwork.  

What Is Modified

Psalm 47:9 (KJV) The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

(Proverbs 27 also read)

My first reading put Israel into the driver’s seat but on reading it again I promoted God Himself.  Notice it is not the people of Abraham but the people of his God.

To a Jew in the days this was written this would be assumed to be the DNA descendants of Abraham.  Paul gives us more insight for today.

Galatians 3:29 (KJV) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

So?  I think there is ample evidence when you put the whole Bible to the test to say that many of the promises that seem to be given originally to Israel have been inherited by the body of Christ.  

Zion Paradox

Psalm 46:5 (KJV) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

This verse is referring to Jerusalem, Zion.  It’s in the middle of a great passage that we all love to quote.  As you can see, this seems to be a promise that desire will be eternal.  Recently, I read another passage where God basically said that He was going to do away with Zion.  This brings to mine that old question, “Can God make a rock big enough that He can’t move it?”

We see these kinds of things fairly frequently.  Of course in things like this much of the answer is that figurative language is not to be taken literally.  The other side of that is that literal statements are not to be taken figuratively.  We love to do both.  When we read scripture, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to make it clear to us if it is speaking figuratively or literally.  Sometimes it can be taken both ways.  Sometimes we are allowed to spiritualize it for applications to us today.

So?  Read and study.  Keep your mind open to what God has to say to you.  Be honest in your application.  The rewards are not only great, they are eternal.  

Tongue Watch

Proverbs 25:9 (NASB95) Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,

We are currently entertaining family members and having a great time talking about memories.  My brother died about a year ago and we have a lot of great things to share.

While we’re doing that sharing, I noticed that there are times when things come up.  It probably should not have been shared.  We’re not talking about the arguing part of this first, but we are talking about the caution that we need to have and what we say, and what we reveal.

Enthusiasm of the moment often gets us carried away.  We need to guard our tongues when we are feeling comfortable.

So?  Enjoy family.  Enjoy friends.  Be careful that you don’t cross the line.  

Step One

Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

This is the first verse that came to mind as I was hovering over my coffee and inhaling.  It was a bit dark so I could not see the horizon but the inner light was adequate for seeing.

This is where it all starts.  This is the dividing line between creation and evolution.  It is where real science and the modern cult of scientism part ways.  It is the attitude of historians that makes it possible to put the puzzle together or not.

So?  Start at the beginning.  If you don’t get this step right it is hard to make it to the next one.  It is like making your morning coffee without any coffee.  

There Will Be Pruning

Psalm 37:22 (KJV) For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I am in constant dialogue with a friend who is big on eschatology and has charts and graphs to prove his position.  All I have to respond with is the consistent word of scripture.  This is one example that you find saturating this chapter and sprinkled through the rest of the Bible.

There are two groups mentioned here.  In reality they are one group with two destinies.  Both the “blessed” and the “cut off” are part of genetic Israel.  Both groups are descendants of Abraham and Jacob.  Even here in the days of David the point is being made that the people of God are not a DNA module but a spiritual body.

So?  It does not matter if you were born a Jew.  It does not matter if you were born with a Christian silver spoon in your mouth.  What matters is whether you respond in faith and obedience to the one who is writing in the book of life.  

Help

Psalm 33:1 (KJV) Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Recently I heard someone quoting the man who said to Jesus, “Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief.”  That, in combination with this verse, reminds me that I need constant assistance in having the right attitude.

In this case it is the attitude of praise.  It is so easy to get caught up in the pressures and conflicts of life.  We seem to adopt worry as our default.  If our desire is to live upright lives then we need to resist that.

Praise can come automatically.  We have all been in worship services where the presence of the Lord overwhelms anything else that might be on our mind.  Often it is a matter of discipline.  That is why I make part of my morning worship a time of thanksgiving.  Thanks and praise are bedfellows.  I find that when I look for things to be thankful for the byproduct is praise.

So?  Focus.  God has a way of helping us along the way when we take the first step.  Take a chance.  Trust Him.  Thank Him.  Praise Him.  See what a difference it makes in your day.  

Familiarity Causes Blindness

Psalm 31:16 (KJV) Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

As I was reading this Psalm I found myself falling into the trap of the Old Shoe.  We get so used to the love of God and the glorious attributes He displays that we forget how unique He is.  He comes across as one of a kind, which is appropriate, since He is one of a kind.

Consider the supernatural creatures you have experienced in horror movies and products of the fantasy genre.  They generate fear, but the fear they are out to create is not the fear of awe and respect but the fear of terror and panic.

Yahweh is capable of tremendous wrath and can dispense calamity but that is not who He is.  Those actions are the result of degenerate behavior on the part of people who should know better.  The gods of fantasy inflict pain because they enjoy watching people squirm.

So?  Get serious about knowing the living God.  He will give you a foundation in life as well as eternity.  

One Sword, Two Edges

Proverbs 20:10 (KJV) Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

The basic point here is a demand for honesty in buying and selling.  I think the Hebrew is literally “a stone and a stone” meaning two sets of weights.  There is also a principle involved that spoke to me today.

We are looking here at one of the principles behind the rule of law.  The rule of law has two basic points.  First, you agree ahead of time what the rules are.  Second, you apply them the same to everyone.  It is a bedrock of our legal system.  Too often it is ignored.

So?  We need to apply the rule of law, or one set of measuring stones, to all areas of our life.  Yes, we are special in the eyes of God but that is not license to cheat.  It is expectation to live to a higher standard.  

Be Glad You Are Not Them

Proverbs 19:9 (KJV) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish.

Our default setting for “false witness” is a verbally spoken statement we know is not true.  I think God has a little wider definition of the term.  There is a principle here.  Apply that principle to government officials, advertising executives, pastors, teachers, the list goes on.

The promise is one we do not want to hear.  Deception will be punished.  That is something to fear if you think you are more clever than the average bear.  It is a promise if you are the one lied to.

So?  God will not be mocked.  His people will not go unavenged.  

Keep the Balance

Psalm 26:11 (KJV) But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

This entire Psalm is a statement by David of his faithfulness and walk of integrity.  I wonder if Paul ever read this verse and what kind of spiritual gymnastics he needed to get through it.  The focus is not on the law but on a life of obedience.

Don’t fall into the trap of ignoring the place of faith and grace.  Those words do not appear but the need for them is found in this plea to be redeemed.  It is clear that David is not saying, “You need me on your team.”  He is saying, “It is still all up to you, Lord.”  And that is the truth.  It is the right balance.

So?  Righteous living is not a choice, it is a demand.  God’s grace is not plan B.  It is the only plan.  Spread your arms wide and embrace them both.  

Define Enemies

Psalm 25:2 (KJV) O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 

(Proverbs 17 also read)

I hope you have had the experience of singing the chorus based on verse one and two.  That dates me.  A later generation would call it praise music.  There might even be a few young people who call it contemporary but my suspicion is that they would label it old fogies music. 

Call it what you want, it is a great way to praise God.

This morning I found myself wondering who my enemies were.  For David it could have been Saul, pagans around him, intrigue at court or even his own sons.  For you the list might be long.  I don’t know that I would have anyone to put on the list.  There might be enemies but they have been good at covering it up.  That makes this a doubly important prayer. 

It might also be simple things like a busy schedule or a preference for certain music.  It could be addiction to video games or gluttony. 

So?  This is a one size fits all prayer.  It works whether you know the target or not because you are bringing it to the one who knows all.  

Constant Adjustment

Proverbs 16:9 (KJV) A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

There are two levels of thought here that we need to consider.  The first level of thought is that God through the power of His Holy Spirit helps our heart devise its way.  We should be constantly listening to what God is saying to us, considering what scripture has told us, perhaps looking back to something we heard in a sermon in the past week.  Our heart is directing us, but it needs to be a heart that’s listening.

The second level is that as we go there may be constant course corrections as we get off track.  I’ve never flown an airplane, but I have driven a car, and I know that there are constant adjustments that go on when you’re driving a car.  If you’re ever out on the road and there’s no one else visible sometime, try not moving your steering wheel at all and see how far you get down the road before you start to runoff into the ditch.  You’re constantly making adjustments.  You may not think about it but, you’re doing it.

And then on the big scale if you’ve got your GPS on and you are consulting what the phone tells you, you may find that there is an obstruction ahead.  In fact, I don’t know how many times when I’m driving somewhere and listening for directions they will offer an alternate route based on current conditions.  That’s kind of useless because I can’t really read what they have to say and watch traffic at the same time but it’s a nice gesture.  However, if you do have the time to consult, you may find that you want to go a different way when you’re halfway there.

So?  Be sensitive and listen.  Never stop being sensitive and listening.  Bon voyage.  

Even the Little Things

Proverbs 15:9 (KJV) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

It is easy to associate the term “abomination” with sodomy and child abuse.  What we often forget is that God is also watching the small things of our lives, or the things that we might consider small.  Notice the mention of “way”.

A synonym for “way” might be road.  You could even wax poetical and call it a game plan.  People who live in rebellion and disobedience have a life style that reflects where they want to end up.  Daily decisions are based on their priorities.  The assumptions they make are basic.

We are expected to be different.  God has given us the knowledge and the ability to be different.

So?  Plan your way based on the holiness of God and not the current mores of our culture.  Don’t be surprised if they clash.  

Mock at Your Own Risk

Proverbs 14:9 (KJV) Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

A casual reading of this gives one impression.  Our popular culture will tell us that the problem in society is not sin but society itself.  We are all victims.  The Bible would call such thinking foolish.

A little deeper you get an offshoot of that.  The Bible teaches that we are born in sin.  We call it the sin nature or original sin.  To deny that makes you a fool.

When you look at the word “sin” you find that the most common translation is “trespass offering”.  This is the public confession of sin and seeking forgiveness from God.  In the OT this is through the ritual of sacrifice.  In the NT we look to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, confess our sin and trust Him for forgiveness.

So?  We are fools if we live in denial . Be one of the righteous by confessing and trusting. 

The Pay-Off

Psalm 19:11 (KJV) Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

As I continue to say, the Law gets a bum rap.  We hear legalism condemned.  Paul has a constant rant about the Law.  We hear about the 613 that can’t be kept.  The Law gets a lot of bad press.  That is to our detriment.

We cannot be saved by the Law, true, but even in the OT that is the case.  The point of the Law was not salvation but teaching people how to live like civilized citizens of God’s kingdom.  Those principles are still very effective when used for their intended purpose.  For most people it is like trying to use a wrench to hammer a nail or, even worse, using a hammer to remove a nut. 

So?  The Law is a tool.  As this says, following God’s rules has a reward.  It is there waiting for you.  

The Ego Balloon

Proverbs 12:9 (KJV) He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

I have a lot of reasons for being satisfied with an old car.  Some of them are solid.  I don’t like the technology that wants to control me and report to the government.  I feel that the repairs on an old car are a lot more thrifty than loans and taxes on the latest.  An old roomy LTD is a lot more comfortable than the new cars designed for people who are short.

Then there is the ego factor.  I am not sure it is so noble.  I would rather be the one with money in the bank than owing the bank.  That is okay but the sense of superiority that it generates might not be the best.  That being said, I think what this is saying it puts me on the side of angels.

So?  Look at your bottom line financially.  Look at your attitude spiritually . Make sure the latter is right and the other will probably take care of itself. 

Scholar for a Day

Psalm 18:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,]] I will love thee, O LORD, my  strength.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

My recent meeting with this Psalm was in II Samuel 22.  It is repeated there word for word as far as I can tell and is very confusing if you don’t stop and consider . It is a bit clearer here and gives us an opportunity to be Bible Scholars. 

When you interpret scripture you always have certain questions that you need to ask.  Who is writing?  When is he writing?  What are the circumstances that are being addressed?  There are more but those can be answered by you the reader without doing a lot of digging.

The thing that might pass under or over your radar is that David wrote this around the time that he was being hounded by Saul.  This was in that time between being a shepherd boy and sitting on the throne.  Read it in that understanding.

So?  There are a lot of things you can figure out for yourself without a Ph.D or a commentary.  Read, think and allow God to speak to you.  

Silent Benefit

Proverbs 10:9 (KJV) He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

There is a subtle way in which this principle will play out in your life.  We get skeptical and recognize that there are times when people take advantage of us because we are honest.  The opposite also happens but you might miss it when it blossoms.

There will be times in life when people who have been around you for awhile will give you a benefit that they don’t usually give.  An example that comes to mind in my life was the time the school librarian was busy and told me to just take the book I wanted because she knew I would bring it back.  Have you ever asked someone to borrow a tool and they hand it to you without hesitation?  You may not think much of it because you were not there when they refused the same request from someone else.

So?  Live in such a way that people recognize they can trust you.  They are not actually trusting you as much as the Jesus that lives within you. 

Stay on the Road

Proverbs 9:9 (KJV) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

There is another place where we get the phrase, “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”  This is another approach to that principle and gives us some insight into why the principle is true.

There is an attitude at work here.  This person assumes that there is more to learn.  A know-it-all usually will not admit that evaluation but if you talk to them they always assume they have the final picture.  The wise person on the other hand is willing to listen because he knows that an infinite God always has something else to add.

So?  I trust you have started your journey of faith.  Now the goal is to stay on the road and keep moving.  Keep one eye on the path in front of you and the other on the horizon for the breaking insights.  

Eternity Promise

Psalm 16:10-11 (KJV) 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

This is an interesting part of Psalms.  We see prophecy about the “Holy One”, which would be Jesus, mixed with the promise of eternal life.  It is a seamless mix that is jarring if you don’t know all that is going on.

The first phrase could apply to the Messiah or to David, and thus to us.  Then we have the line about the Holy One which could not be David or us.  Finally we have the promise.  I imagine that you could find other ways to put it together but that seems the simplest to me.

So?  Don’t buy the line that the OT does not teach eternal life.  Read it for yourself and keep thinking as you read.  

The ID Card Doesn’t Matter

(Pro 7:27 KJV)  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

If you read through this narrative of a young man being seduced into adultery you probably don’t stop to think about how both he and the woman were members of God’s chosen people.  They were part of Israel. They had the promise of God in their heritage. They were descendants of Abraham.  All of that is wonderful.  It is awesome.  The problem is not whether you have a Platinum card but does the scanner refuse to honor it.

You have all been there.  You have your purchases rung up and even bagged.  You put your card in the slot or tap your phone and the computer says, “No.”  Usually, if you are paid up, the second try works and you go your way but it isn’t the plastic that says you are chosen.

So?  You are not more spiritual because you are not a part of a liberal denomination.  You are not on the road to heaven because you are too in touch with God to find a church to attend.  The “way to hell” is real and is on the wide gate that Jesus said is so easy to find.  Find the narrow gate.   

Look Back

Psalm 15:1-2 (KJV) 1 [[A Psalm of David.]] LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

All through the Bible we see statements that are ignored because they don’t fit in with the theological demands of a system.  Notice the emphasis of this verse which continues through the whole Psalm:  Behavior.  Two words appear in verse two that give people trouble:  Uprightly and righteousness.  This is in the context of people who like to quote the previous chapter that claims there is no such thing.

When you try to understand the Bible then you need to read the whole thing.  There is too much to remember it all but give it a try.  How can you claim that none can be righteous and yet it is demanded?  Grace and the work of the Holy Spirit fit in between the two and make the second possible.

So?  If you are a believer you should not be focusing on what can’t be but on what is.  If you are a believer God makes it possible for you to live a righteous life.  Don’t focus on the naysayers but on the promise.  

A Word of Caution

Psalm 11:5 (KJV) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

We live in a time of chaos.  We have political leaders who seem to care only about power and wealth.  Some would say that is nothing new.  They have a point.  The statement of Lord Acton about power corrupting is a solid insight.  At the same time things seem to be moving in the wrong direction.

Some worry about civil war or nation wide insurgency.  Much of that is hype from media sources.  Satan would love to see the United States devolve into that kind of free for all.  To that thinking we need to look at verses like this and understand what is being said and what is not.

This is not forbidding violence.  It is condemning those who love violence.  It is a misunderstanding like that of people who say, “Money is the root of all evil.”  No, it is the love of money.  If extreme measures ever become necessary then we need to carefully monitor our attitude.

So?  Pray for peace.  Be an island of stability.  Make sure that your heart is right.  Remember that in the book of Esther the Jews were given the right to defend themselves.  That is just one example of godly behavior.  

Footwork

Proverbs 4:26 (KJV) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Before I got to Proverbs I was thinking about the armor of God in Ephesians 6.  I noticed that one of the concerns was one we might not think about and that is having our feet shod.  In this case it said with the preparation of the gospel.

Preparation would involve pondering.  That means to think about.  It would be like coming to a stream when you are out on a hike and examining the placement of the rocks to see what is the best route across.  Not only do you need to consider the distance between the rocks but how slippery they are and their stability.  I don’t just start across.

So?  Consider your day.  Most days that won’t take long but it can’t hurt.  Some days it may be key to feeling like the day was a success.  

It Is a Secret

Proverbs 3:32 (KJV) For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

My first indication for today came from a footnote in the NASB.  It indicated that the word “secret” meant “private counsel”.  I looked at my software and found that the concept was counsel and in some cases secret counsel.

Think of a meeting with your lawyer before a trial starts.  You do not broadcast to the world what you are going to do.  Consider a football team going into the huddle.  They do not announce to the other team what their play is going to be . In the same way, God meets with His people.  That is you and me.  I don’t need to know what He tells you.  I may choose to not inform you of my insight.  There are many times when that is the right path to follow.

So?  God has directions for His people.  Much is ignored or rejected.  It is still available.  It seems like a sensible thing to do to follow His advice.  

Then…

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

The first part of this chapter lays out a long list of “if’s”.  As a conclusion to that it gives a couple of “then’s”.  Too often we want to get to the results without considering the causes.  They go together.  One sets the foundations and parameters, while the other lays out the application and goals.

Notice the qualities that God expects to see in our lives.

So?  It is a package rooted in the character of God Himself.  We are expected to be extensions of Him.  It is a genuine honor.  Then… 

The Two Sides of Freedom

Proverbs 1:10 (KJV) My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

I discovered a new type of verb today.  It is called the “jussive”.  It is similar to the imperative in that it is a command but it has the sense of responding to another.  When this says to not “consent” it is not talking about an inner decision.  Well, it may start there but that is not the emphasis.  This is talking about giving the “sinners” a stiff arm, rejecting them in a very clear way.

Combine that with the sense of “entice”,  which is a continued and ongoing action, it tells us that people are going to continually try to drag us down and we must be very decisive in our rejection.

So?  Part of being free creatures is being confronted with moral decisions.  In many cases the temptation and pressure does not just go away but continues to drag us down.  That is the price of being free to make decisions.