Health Goes Both Ways

Proverbs 11:17 (BES) A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

As Christians, we are expected to reach out and help the needy.  We are supposed to be merciful to those who are going through hard times.  If we tithe we would expect that part of what we give would be forwarded to those who are down on their luck.  This approach is from a different angle.

Another reason for us to be merciful is because it is good for us.  It’s not just a matter of doing it for the other guy, it also boomerangs back and touches us where we need to be touched.  The LXX reminds us that it’s not just a physical reward.  This is reflected in the KJV, but not the NASB.  We can expect a spiritual reward.

So?  We’re not talking about doing things so that we get something back.  This isn’t about being selfish or self-centered.  This is one of those unexpected rewards that was promised to us if we live in love and obedience. 

Be a Holy Rivulet

(Pro 11:11 KJV)  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

A straight reading of this verse seems to infer a type of prayer that we would call a blessing.  The mouth is involved.  I think there is a less obvious principle here and that is that our way of living makes the difference.

We are supposed to be a blessing by our very presence.  Of course that doesn’t mean much unless our presence reflects the holiness of God.  The way in which we do business reflects on our God.  The way we keep our property clean and orderly says something to people around us.  The behavior of our children is observed.

So?  Be a blessing.  Our cities need it.  Our country needs it.  You may only be a drop of water or a rivulet in a drain but it all comes together to fill the reservoir or cause a flash flood.

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?”  

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.  

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.  

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.  

Those Pesky Conditions

Proverbs 2:1 (KJV) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

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

The Bible is full of promises.  It has a lot of predictions.  We can bask in the blessings that are given.  What we don’t like is the fact that so many of these things are conditional.  I would say all or conditional, but I have not gone through the entire Bible, checking it out.  Notice here when you start in verse one it has the magic word “If”.  Then it gives a number of requirements and comes to verse five where it says, “Then”.

We like the promises.  We tend to ignore the conditions.  We can live this year in a time of knowing God, but keep in mind that that starts with the Biblical concept of fearing God.  Those conditions keep getting in the way.

So?  The promises are there.  God wants to bless us and give us a sense of inner peace and security.  What He expects from us to listen to what He has to say and consider it carefully.  Happy new year.  Make it a blessed new year.  

I’m So Happy, Here’s the Reason Why

Proverbs 16:20 (KJV) He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

There is a slight difference between the NASB and the KJV.  The difference is between the word “happy” and the word “blessed”.  Either one is a legitimate way to translate this Hebrew word.  As I glanced down through the different translations I have in my software, I saw that these were the two common translations.  And yet they are different.

Happy is an emotional state.  It comes and goes and is totally based on inward feelings.  Blessing is a different matter.  I can be blessed and not even be aware of it.  I think many people are in this category.  If you live in America, you’re probably more blessed than most people in the world in liberty, security, and prosperity.  You may not be aware of it.  You may gripe all the time, but you are blessed.

That’s why we need to bring in this concept of blessed.  We’re talking about an inner strength that comes from trusting in God.  When we trust in God, it does something to our attitude.  It changes our responses.  It molds our whole outlook on the day.

So?  Take your pick.  You can be happy.  You can be blessed.  Or even better you can be both.  It all goes back to genuinely trusting the Lord.  

A Forgotten Verse

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 14 also read)

I was sitting this morning thinking about the difference between the direction I thought my life was going to go 20 years ago and where it actually is.  We could go back much further than 20 years.  I always wanted to be used by God.  I thought I knew what that meant, but God seemed to have other ideas.

I remember a long time of wondering why things were going the way they did.  There were times of despairing, especially when I thought of my first born and how he had such a strong personality.  I joked about taking him back to the hospital and getting a refund.  It was only partially a joke.

Looking back now, I can see how the glory of God has worked in my life.  My children have turned out well.  My mind is still clear.  I can still afford my coffee in the morning and have a great view from my front porch.  God meets with me like clockwork and relates to me like the Great I Am.

In the midst of that, I am reminded by this promise that He will continue to work in me until the day of Christ Jesus.

So?  As they say, “What’s not to like?”  The journey continues and I imagine that when we get to stand in the presence of God, there will be another verse that takes this promise further down the road.  

Curses and Blessings

Proverbs 3:33 (KJV) The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

This morning, I struggle with this concept.  I don’t struggle because I’m not blessed.  I am.  I’m so blessed that I have quit asking, “why?”  I’ve stopped trying to figure out why God has been so good to me.  I accept that I haven’t earned it.  That’s not the issue.

The problem I’m having is when I look at other families and other individuals who to my eyes seem to be living righteous lives, and following Jesus, and yet there are major “curses” that have caught up upon their houses.  In my present mood, I’m not satisfied with just looking at the eternal blessings.  I don’t think that’s what this Proverb was talking about.

A curse can take many forms.  It can take the form of disease.  It can be financial crisis.  How many Christians through the ages had their children sold into slavery?  It can be your children going off and following pagan lives.  I see that every day in people that I know well enough to know that they have tried to live the way Jesus wants them to.

So?  I’m glad that God does not slap me down for my inquisitive mind.  Perhaps someday I will understand this.  Until then, I am filled with thanksgiving for the blessings that God has directed toward me.  Wouldn’t it be great if I actually deserved it?  

The Blessings for Israel

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

Obviously, this person is not talking about blessings.  Consider it though in the context.  The previous verse talks about blessings.  This one talks about the results of disobedience and rebellion.  One of the big questions that I have is how Israel can be the chosen people of God, and still be so blatantly rebellious and disobedient.  We even have what seems to be a promise in Romans about all Israel being saved.

One of the things I’ve noticed in reading through the Old Testament and the parts dealing with the law is that the promises of God to Israel seem to focus on this life, this world, before we die.  They are promised land.  They are promised a king.  We are promised a lot of things with the understanding that it is contingent upon their obedience.

They were in constant rebellion and rejection of God.  As a result the majority of Israelites, over the years, were regularly culled and discarded.  The faithful remnant receive the results of the promise.  Noticed that even here it’s not talking about eternal life, but being cut off from the Earth.

So?  Don’t get too excited about Israel’s place in the end times.  God will work that out the way He plans on, and we will have a little to say about it.  Focus on the fact that you have a promise of eternal life, because of the grace of God extended to you and your faith in Jesus.  That goes beyond the land.  That goes beyond the king sitting on a throne in Israel.  That goes into eternity. 

On the Other Hand

Proverbs 18:14 (KJV) The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

The teaching of this proverb is clear.  I think we understand it.  We know what it is to have the Holy Spirit speaking to our inner man, and taking us through struggles and victory.  But my mind wanted to put a different spin on it this morning.

It occurred to me that one of the times that we tend to really get wonky in our faith is when everything is going sparkles.  When all is well.  When there’s nothing to complain about.  You may never have those times but they do exist and I’m here to tell you that I think people drift away from their faith and their commitment more in times of plenty than they do in times of struggle.  Maybe you haven’t had that experience.

So?  Rejoice in the presence of the Holy Spirit when you’re going through infirmity.  Rejoice even more when the Holy Spirit remains rock solid within you during times of success.  Resist the temptation to pull out a plum and say what a good boy you are.  

Anti-Cultural Blessing

Psalms 128:4 (KJV) Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

When you see verses like this you need to pause and look a bit at the context.  It is very easy to fill in the blanks of what a blessing is by our current priorities and desires.  Many of those are sent by our cultural environment and the expectations of others.  Take a moment to look back at the verses preceding this if you have your Bible open and available.

Blessing here is a comment about having children and our family.  We live in a day where children are considered a burden instead of a blessing.  We need to get over that.  We need to accept the biblical standard.

So?  You are probably like me, it’s too late to start a family.  What we can do that will help the situation is to encourage others who are younger to seriously consider that children are a blessing from God.   Keep in mind it’s not me talking, it’s what God says. 

The Five Month Reminder

Proverbs 23:1 (KJV) When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

Every five months because of my routine of Bible reading, I have this verse in Proverbs 23, which comes before me at the same time as this verse in Psalm 23,

Psalms 23:5 (KJV) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We have the picture of someone supplying us with a wonderful repast.  In both cases, we have the idea that our wants and needs are being supplied.  The difference is the attitude of the person doing the supplying.  In Proverbs, we are warned about the person who is called a ruler.  As you read on you find out that this ruler has a definite agenda, which is not to your benefit.

In Psalms it’s a totally different picture.  There you have a benevolent God who is laying out before you a benevolent feast.  There is no fear.  There is no concern about coming back to haunt you.  There will be no food poisoning in this banquet.

So?  Consider the source.  The supplies in our daily lives.  We have many people who give us gifts but they all come with strings attached.  The gifts that God gives us for our benefit and our eternal joy.  Bon appétit. 

Just a Taste

(Psa 34:8 KJV)  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

I worship in the morning to start my day by coming into contact with Almighty God.  He meets me.  He is faithful.  I, of course, go through different emotional states and mental conditions.  My attitude is not always perfect.  That should be obvious to all of us.

I also am aware, or made aware, that God is infinitely beyond me.  My hope is based on the revelation of Jesus, and that through Him we can know God.  Still, as wonderful as that is, as a mortal human it is impossible for me to even begin to approach the infinite nature of God.

Then David suggests that we don’t run off into the sunset crying and weeping over this reality.  What we are to do is “taste” (2398) and “see” (7200) the nature of God.

So?  When they tell you that you can only have one piece of cake, do you turn in disgust and walk away?  No.  You enjoy that piece of cake.  You understand without it being said that if there is any left tomorrow, you may get another piece.  And of course, in eternity, you may get the whole thing. 

Rewards

(Psa 18:20 KJV)  The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

Again we see that it is possible to live in “righteousness” (6664).  It always makes me wonder if people are reading the same Bible when they claim that we must sin every day in word, thought and deed.  I guess if you were a cynic you could read this and say to yourself that you would never be “rewarded” (1580) because you could not be righteous but I don’t think that is the point David is making.

We may not be able to pick our reward.  It may be something we are not aware of or would not consider a reward.  For instance our reward might be to survive a car crash when what we would want would be to avoid it all together.  God chooses the reward and the timing.

So?  The promise is there.  Part is involved in eternity.  Part is now.  Spend more time being thankful and you will probably be surprised how blessed you are. 

The Premise of Blessings

(Pro 3:16 KJV)  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

I struggle with the basic premise of this verse:  God rewards those who listen and respond.  One wing of this struggle is my repeated question of “Why Me?”  As I have shared before, I am not wondering why I suffer and struggle.  Just the opposite.  I marvel at how blessed my life is.  I then look at how much others are dealing with and how unworthy I am and wonder if I deserve the blessings in some form.

We can never be worthy.  We cannot earn the blessings of God.  Those are mantras we hear all the time but as I read Proverbs and Psalms I keep seeing a different assumption and that is the principle that God rewards the righteous.

So?  Humility is called for.  At the same time we are to be grateful for the blessings of God and continue to seek upright lives.  Does God reward faithfulness?  I would say yes.  I would also say I have not been righteous enough to deserve the blessings I receive.  In either case, thank you, Lord. 

Unvicious Cycles

(Pro 16:23 KJV)  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

I watch people having a hard time walking and my mind goes to the vicious cycle that can be a part of their lives.  They are tired so they don’t walk.  Because they don’t walk they get weaker.  Because they are weaker they have physical problems that grow.  Physical problems make it hard to walk, and we start around again.

There is another side of that.  There are the cycles of blessing we can experience.  I am talking about spiritual blessings although I am sure the cycle exists in the physical realm.  Here we have the “heart” (3820), “mouth” (6310) and the “lips” (8193).  In previous verses it talks about the understanding and the spirit.  I would want to ask which comes first in our spiritual journey to wisdom.  

So?  I would suggest that you treat it like any cycle.  Jump in wherever you can.  Like the exercise/health problem the important thing is that you start and do what you can.  God will meet you and bring progress.  Remember it is hard to make progress from a stand still. 

Rejoice in Jealousy

(Pro 27:4 KJV)  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

I had an attack of “jealousy” (7068) recently.  Actually it was at Christmas time.  I received two photographs of family members surrounded by their children and grandchildren.  As I was enjoying the pictures I realized that this was one area where I was jealous.  One of my brothers had six kids and now he has an army of grandchildren.  The other had four and three are being very productive.  It was a glorious sight.

And I was jealous.

So?  There are exceptions to almost every rule.  In this case jealousy is really rejoicing with their blessings.  I think what this verse is telling us is that we should rejoice with other people’s blessings and not bear ill will.

A Blessed Day

(Pro 15:30 KJV)  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

My first thought was that I could use some of those “fat” (1878) “bones” (6106) about now.  My second thought was that I am already blessed with them.  I don’t know how figurative the people of Solomon’s day would have taken this.  It is possible that it is like “strong as a horse” which ignores that horses get old and tired.  Any way you look at it the fat is a blessing.

My life is full of blessings.  When I have those moan and groan moments I usually end up thinking about how bad some others have it.  That stimulates me to start counting all the blessings I have.  Once I get started it is hard to stop.  There are so many things that we take for granted.  People in history or the third world today would consider us living like kings.  That doesn’t even allow for our family and spiritual blessings.

So?  It is another one of those trite but true reminders.  Count your blessings.  That makes me wonder if April 15 is still tax day.