Use Your Canines

Proverbs 21:21 (KJV) He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

As I was looking at the definitions of these words and focusing on “follow” I came across an interesting definition.  It doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible itself, but the idea of following has a determination and a focus that we don’t often see in our own lives.  The definition was “dog".  Now this is not the noun; it is a verb.

To dog something means to follow with total attention.  It means to be so committed to following that you never give up.  The dog will drop in its tracks before it quits.  It is basically very determined.

So?  Dog it.  Go after righteousness and mercy with everything you have.  The payoff will be awesome.  

Charity Filters

(Pro 3:27 KJV)  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

There is a distinction here that we don’t like to acknowledge.  It makes us uncomfortable.  It forces us to make value judgements and we all know that we should not judge, don’t we?  Evidently that caution does not mean what it is usually used to mean.  In this verse the benevolence we are expected to administer is to those to whom it is “due” (1167), not just everyone.

The phrase here means literally to the “owner, husband, lord.”  These are categories of people to whom we have a commitment.  While we can find other passages that probably refer to being concerned for the whole world, this is specifically talking about those that might deserve our concern.  The context is people that you owe.

So?  We are to be concerned about the poor in a generic sense, true.  But this is talking about those you have commitments to.  When times get rough it might behoove us as Christians to make a priority to be sharing with those who are a part of the body.  Our current affluence means that we share widely but if things start to come apart we need to focus on the family of God for our assistance.

Sign Here

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

Most people are good with the message of Proverbs until they get to this part.  The clever sayings, bits of advice, promised meals and such are all good.  You rarely have trouble getting people to take free samples.  You may shop at Cosco.  One of the understandings is that you try to go when they are giving out free samples.  Some of the stuff they offer is really good but I don’t think I have ever bought anything they are offering.  That would cost me something.

So?  God has a great offer for us.  The problem is when we have to commit to the sale and sign on the dotted line.

Check Here if You Agree to the Terms

(Pro 1:30 KJV) They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

When it comes to wisdom and the direction that God wants to give us, there must be buy in.  We must “would” (accept NASB) (14).  You are used to doing this in your daily life without paying attention.  You do it every time you put an app on your phone, add software to your computer, visit a new doctor or just about anything you do that requires you to sign your name.  We keep getting asked, “Do you agree to the terms?”  It really irritates people when you actually try to read the small print but it might be important to find out if you are pledging your first born child to Microsoft.

If you have spent any time reading Proverbs you have noticed that there are certain things that keep getting repeated.  You are to fear the Lord.  You are to be honest in business.  You are not to be a sluggard.  If you are even half way paying attention you know what God wants.

So?  Are you accepting his counsel and reproof?  He waits. 

Set Up

(Pro 9:2 KJV) She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

My wife gets frustrated when she has me “set” (6185a) (KVJ furnished) the “table” (7979).  With all due respect, I can’t get too excited about whether the knife faces in or out.  I can see the importance of getting all the utensils at each place setting but what difference does it make if the fork is on the left or the right?  I would only worry about it if I was having someone over who cared.  The problem with that is you can’t be sure who that is.

How do we structure our daily lives?  What difference does it make if we wear shorts or long pants?  Do we really need socks?  There are many questions we could ask and the answer to most of them would be one we hate, “It depends.”

So?  Take the high road.  Look to present your best.  Avoid the shortcuts.  You know all the advice.  The problem is applying it on a regular basis. 

Seriously

(Pro 20:25 KJV)  It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

This is a common practice.  Most people tend to speak before they think, buy without a test drive, vote without reading up on the issues.  We marry on an emotional high.  We join without reading the fine print.  Sometimes it only involves a few extra payments.  Sometimes it ruins our lives.

What is at issue here is mocking God.  He is serious about His holiness.  He is serious about His law.  He wants us to be serious too.

So?  Following Jesus is not a game nor a part time activity. 

Forecast Is More Wind

(Proverbs 27:3 KJV)  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

Recently as I experiment with an I-Pad ap called Pandora I have come across a scattering of recording artists who have done “Blowing in the Wind”.  I have always enjoyed the music as long as I don’t pay too much attention to the words.  It is a cute anti-war song.  I am against war.  Any sane person is against war.  That is not my focus today.  What came to my mind in relation to this verse were the concluding words to each verse, “When will they ever learn?”

One of the sad truths about life is that most people will never learn.  That is the reason that all of the government sponsored gambling schemes keep raising millions.  It is why tele-marketers keep coming back.  It is why some products are still being sold in the dollar stores.  It is the inspiration for that quote “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and expecting different results.”  People do not learn.

So?  Life will be full of heavy things and foolish people.  We need to keep calling on God to get through all of the headwinds we run into.  That is why the apostle Paul tells us,

(1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

For Crying out Loud

(Proverbs 1:20 KJV)  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

When was the last time you took a public, moral stand?  I would bet it has been a long time.  If you are like me you might behave personally in a moral way but you don’t make a big deal when others stray from the path.  I know that in some cases I have learned that the people who are telling lies or dealing dishonestly don’t want to hear it.  Often they have already convinced themselves that what they said was true because of special circumstances or they actually believe their memory is correct.  In those cases I think we have some excuse.

But there are certain actions that God has clearly condemned.  Sexual sin is one clear example whether it be homosexuality or fornication.  Cheating in business is also a clearly defined sin.  Our problem is that we have been effectively silenced because the culture threatens us. 

So?  Wisdom is meant to be shared.  Sometimes it may be quiet but it must be.  Pray for strength. 

Peeps Behind the Bed

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

It is easy to “receive” (3947).  It is a bit more challenging to “hide” (treasure NASB) (6845).  Think about last Christmas.  Assume that you received a nice pile of gifts.  When it was time to get them out of the living room, what did you do?  If you are like most people the general pile was transferred to your bed or some other flat space.  There it awaited its distribution, but there are always exceptions.  If you received one very special item you either put it in a special place or gave it special attention.  It is possible that there was another item, such as a package of Peeps, that fell down behind the bed and were forgotten about.  You know which ones were treasured by the way in which they were treated.

Around the tree where you were receiving you made the appropriate comments.  In your room the real attitude came out.  It is the same with the wisdom of God.  We learn to make the appropriate responses to the sermon.  We say stirring things at the Bible study.  But do we treasure?

So?  Separate the things you hear and give them the fitting amount of attention.  I am not sure we need to fixate on separating linen and wool but we might want to mediate a little on turning the other cheek. 

In Praise of Nagging

(Proverbs 6:3 KJV)  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

I wonder if Jesus had this in mind when He told the story about the widow who kept after the judge until he gave her justice.  Notice the reason he gave.

(Luke 18:5 KJV)  Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

It would seem that nagging can have positive results. 

The biggest problem is admitting that we made a mistake.  First we need to admit it to ourselves, then confess it to the neighbor.  Then keep confessing until you get some action.

So?  Honesty and persistence are steps that we need to add to our arsenal of daily living.

Who Has the Pink Slip?

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

Recently I heard a preacher comment on how people are willing to love Jesus, they just don’t want to serve Him.  It doesn’t work that way.  It never has.  Here we see the part of the formula that keeps so many people out of the kingdom of God.  In order to belong to Jesus we must give up our old way of life.  We sold a car last month.  When we took the man’s money we signed a paper saying that the car was his.  We had to “forsake” (5800a) any claim that we had before he would give us the money.  It was part of the deal.  I can’t be showing up in the middle of the night because I need a ride.

It is the same way with serving God.  We have a new title of ownership.  In California we called it a “pink slip”.  You might remember the old line from a Beach Boys song, “And one more thing, I got the pink slip, baby”.  God demands exclusive ownership.

So?  Are you still trying to lease salvation?  Then it doesn’t belong to you yet.  If you want life you must give up the ways of  the “foolish” (folly NASB) (6612a). 

The Last Lug Nut

(Proverbs 10:21 KJV)  The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

How does righteousness “feed” (7462a) people?  I could make a case for the literal, physical sense of the word.  It is the honest farmer and merchant that make it possible for the masses to eat well.  Look at countries that have tyrannical elites.  Think of North Korea.  Every picture you see of the leadership is filled with chubby, well fed people, yet the masses are starving to death.  Look at Venezuela.  I find it hard to believe that the top dogs are standing in line in front of empty stores. 

But the most frequent translation in both the NASB and KJV has to do with shepherding and pasturing the flocks.  It involves nurturing and caring for others.  This is the mark of the Christian in a position of authority or responsibility.  This is the glue that holds our society together.  It is a glue that is beginning to be dissolved by the pagan influences.  We are used to the idea of being salt and light, we are also glue.

So?  You may not feel you are in a position of importance but every nut and bolt has a job to do.  Sometimes it is one last lug bolt that keeps the wheel from coming off.  Be the last one doing your job if necessary. 

Web of Covenants

(Proverbs 2:17 KJV)  Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

“Guide (companion NASB) (441a) of her youth (5271)” stirred a memory of another verse.  It didn’t take long to find it.

(Proverbs 5:18 NAS77)  Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

We see a call to commitment coming from both sides.  We see a warning against wandering directed at both sides.  We are reminded that marriage is a “covenant” (1285).  Abandoning the person you married in your youth meant walking away from the covenant that you had with God.

Notice this is not a mark of patriarchal society where men can abandon their wives with a simple divorce decree.  This is not about protecting weak members of society.  This is about wilfully letting your commitments lag.  It is about destroying the most important oaths and pledges.  As Christians we are part of a community of righteousness.  There are certain promises that are not just pinky promises. 

So?  Be faithful.  Here it is to your spouse and your God.  In other places it is to your customers.  Children and neighbors are thrown into the mix.  Walking with Jesus is a total package not recommended for weekend warriors. 

Michael Jordan on Grace and Works

(Proverbs 2:1-4 KJV)  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

I have never been a fan of professional basketball.  I used to enjoy playing and got into the high school and college competition but the professionals always seemed like a bunch of hot dogs looking for some relish.  I knew the name of Michael Jordan but had never seen him play until for some reason I saw him in a documentary about his career.  Suddenly I understood “hang time”.

But it was Michael the Philosopher that got to me the most.  At one point he told the interviewer that there were many guys playing basketball on the streets that were better than he was but they could never make it in the NBA because they did not have the discipline.  That is what these four verses are talking about in spiritual terms. 

If you read over these verses you can see the conditions leading up to the promise that begins in verse five.  The question being asked is, “How hungry are you?”  Are you satisfied with instant oats or do you seek out and prepare the steel cut variety.  Yes, you can get oatmeal in 60 seconds but it just isn’t the same.

So?  Do you cry out for the knowledge that God wants you to have?  Do you seek?  God had promised to meet us and inform us.  Grace responding to obedience. 

Committed to Ignorance

(Proverbs 4:19 KJV)  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

The evil do not “know” (3045) [yada].  They live in ignorance and deception.  This word has a depth of meaning that we have lost in English.  It can carry the inference of deep knowledge.  It is used to signify the depth of the marriage relationship.  Thus we have the teaching of the virgin birth.

(Matthew 1:25 KJV)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

What does it take to know someone on that level?  It doesn’t just happen overnight.  It isn’t just a slight adjustment.  It isn’t possible without a real investment of yourself.  It isn’t possible unless there is a two way street of commitment.  So the evil will never have the knowledge of God.  They refuse to open themselves to know Him.  They are committed to ignorance.

So?  Paul said that the relationship of Jesus and the church is like a husband and wife.  It takes commitment to start and commitment given anew moment by moment.  Happy commitment to you. 

More Than a Brand

(Proverbs 8:34 KJV)  Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

There is a word here that we are very good at ignoring in our walk with Jesus.  That neglect leads to great pain, frustration and possibly failure.  The word is not theological or subtle.  It does not take a college degree or a high intelligence to understand. 

We are to be “daily” (3117). 

This is the simple Hebrew word yom that simply means “day.”  It gives us some things to do every day.  We are to listen or hear.  We are to watch.  We are to wait.  Notice the lack of big words.  We can do this.

So?  Do they still make One-a-Day Brand Multiple Vitamins?  God had the idea first.  It is more than a brand, it is a way of life.  It is a way to life.  It is the way to live. 

All Aboard

(Proverbs 3:6 KJV)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Sometimes the simple, common words are of great importance.  Take for instance the word “all” (3605).  It is so easy to overlook that or breeze by without application.  Like everything in inspired scripture, it means what it says.  It means no exclusions.  It means no days off.  It means no private little parties that God is not invited to.

This might be the difference between the actors and the livers.  To some, being a Christian is a role.  It is something that they get into but it isn’t the real focus.  To the righteous, it is a way of living that dominates and directs.  Following Jesus is not mask, it is a face.  It isn’t a character assumed but character attained.  It touches everything.

Or it should.

So?  Have you ever hear the phrase, “All or nothing”?  Of course you have.  That is what Jesus demands.  Are you willing to give it? 

Casting Call

(Proverbs 1:14 KJV)  Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

What does it mean to “cast” (throw NASB) (5307) in this context?  The word itself is very common.  The most common translation in both KJV and NASB is to “fall.”  It carries the idea of laying on the ground, often in submission.

What causes, groups and individuals do we willingly submit to?  Obviously we have some.  Each has a definite level of commitment and right to make demands.  If you are married you took vows.  If you have a job you probably signed some kind of paperwork.  If you have software you signed your life away and didn’t realize it. 

Too often we make commitments and don’t think about what it will take.  Have you every told someone you would pray for them?  Did you?  Have you ever promised to call or write and it never happened?  Did you bring children into the world and still keep up your “need” for leisure and recreation? 

Our first, and only, commitment is to almighty God.  That does not mean we don’t sign on for other things but He is the one who sets the context and conditions for those other commitments.

So?  Are you too busy with soccer to make it to church?  Do you need to work overtime to make your car payments?  Look at what you have committed to and the priorities you claim to have. 

Mass or Endurance

(Proverbs 31:25 KJV)  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

“Strength” (5795) and “honour” (dignity NASB) (1926) are two qualities that we can admire.  The bad news is that they are too rare.  The good news is that they are available to everyone.  They come through discipline and daily application of attention.  Neither comes through a short term crash course.

Let’s look at the idea of “strength” (5795).  We generally associate this with muscles and the work they can do.  Modern culture is obsessed with how they look.  If you ever get into working with weights to develop your strength you learn there are two basic approaches to the discipline.  You can go for size or endurance.  If you are a body builder getting ready to strut your stuff on the beach you go for heavy resistance and fewer repetitions.  If you are looking for endurance and toning you go with lighter weights and more repetitions.  They produce different results.

So?  Spiritually speaking we need to go for endurance and toning.  That means a more regular and frequent approach to reading, prayer, meditation and study.  There are no overnight wonders when it comes to spiritual maturity. 

The Abomination Next Door

(Proverbs 29:27 KJV)  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Whether you want to admit it or not, we are involved in a spiritual war.  We try to downplay it.  We don’t sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” any more.  We avoid thinking about the church militant, but like Neville Chamberlain ignoring the threat of Adolf Hitler, the treat is still there.  Here we have two human sides represented in the spiritual wars, the “unjust” (5766) and the “upright” (3477).

Both sides in the spiritual wars find the other an “abomination” (abominable NASB) (8441).  We are so much into being nice and tolerant that we reject this clearly taught truth.  Pagans are not just different, they are rejected by God.  This applies whether they are in the church or out of the church.

So?  That does not mean we abandon courtesy and kindness.  It simply means that we are aware of the reality of the divide.  We are at war.  The other side has shown up for battle and is working hard.  Be aware.