Be a Follower

Proverbs 2:20 (NLT) So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous.

We follow Jesus.  Our best source of direction is the Bible.  That being said there is also a lot of stability to be gained by watching how others deal with life.  When someone goes through a tragedy you may have watched how they dealt with it.  It may be observations in real time.

And at the same time be aware that you might be one of those who have people watching your steps.  This is part of being in the body of Christ.  We never walk alone in a spiritual sense or a physical sense.

So?  Keep your eyes open.  There may be examples of maturity all around you if you just watch.  

Payoff

Psalm 3:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.]] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

The note at the beginning of this verse tells us that this is toward the end of David’s reign over Israel.  At this point, his son led a revolt, drove him out of the city, and if he’d been able to get hold of him, probably would have executed him.  Later, when this becomes an actual battle, David gives the order that his son’s life is to be spared and when it isn’t, he goes into a time of grief and lament.

Picture the family dynamics here.  A man’s son sets out to kill him and usurp his position.  It’s pretty clear that this situation did not develop overnight.  David when he was young and first selected to be king may have been a man after God‘s own heart, but by the time he matured and developed into the man he was going to be, he left a lot to be desired.  One of the areas that he was a loser was being a parent.  Absalom did not just one day decide he was going to rebel.  This has been in the works for a long time.  David ignored it.  It did not work out well for him.

So?  What kind of future are you laying the ground work for?  God promises to watch over us and deliver us from evil.  Not sure that that promise extends to us deliberately creating situations that will eventually make life miserable for us.  Make sure that you live in such a way that God will extend His blessings upon you instead of letting you get what you pay for.  

Investment in Life

(Pro 15:27 KJV)  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

My mind went to possible applications of this that are necessary to use cautiously.  My thought was that “greedy” (1214) of “gain” (1215) can be understood as an attitude that rejects consistent moral behavior or acts correctly to cover up the hypocrisy of the heart.  

I am aware of many people who’s house has been “troubled” (5916).  It might not be obvious to the casual observer.  All may seem wonderful.  All the motions are there.  Go back 30 years later and find divorce, drug addicted children and bankruptcy.  That is a bit extreme but I am still trying to figure out why people who seem to be walking spiritual lives can have children that go down the path of rebellion and rejection.  I hear of children who will not talk to their parents because they voted for Trump and I wonder what path led to this.

I do not have an answer and I am afraid to look too close.  One reason is that there is nothing I can do to help.  I rejoice that my children seem to have turned out right.

So?  Be consistent.  I have to believe that my example is still being examined.  I also have to believe that God will honor a change of heart.  

Geared Down

Proverbs 29:4 (KJV) The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

As Americans, we don’t pay a lot of attention to kings.  They’re kind of romantic residue from the past to us.  So what is the possible spiritual principle for us here?  I believe that God has something to teach us from almost every scripture.

I think for us the key is that if we want to establish the world we influence then we need to seek genuine justice.  As simple citizens, we don’t have a “land”.  We do have an area of responsibility.  For parents that would be the family.  Single people have influence around them either by people who live next to them or at work.  We are to reach out with “judgment”.  I believe the idea of judgment here is not a high and mighty declaration of our will, but a seeking of the justice that God expects us to demonstrate.

So?  Don’t forget that you have influence.  I know as I get older and talk to other old people they feel like no one’s listening anymore.  That may be true up to a point.  But it’s not totally true because there are people watching us and there are people listening to us even if we’re not talking directly to them.  Establish justice.  Be a force for righteousness.  

The Best Witness

Proverbs 31:31 (KJV) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The world would certainly be a better place if all women used chapter 31 as a model.  It would be even better if men would take the lessons that are here and apply them to their lives.

This final verse could be looked at as saying that the laborer is worthy of her hire, but I want to look at the second part.  It’s an interesting statement that her “works” are going to be what “praises” her.  So often we think that what we say is what people should be listening to, but how often do we listen to what other people tell us?  We’ve heard the platitudes about how actions speak louder than words, this makes it more than a platitude.

I don’t think that this model woman is going out each day asking herself, “What can I do today to make myself look good?”  I think she goes out each day simply committed to living an upright and righteous life, to working hard, to be honest and fair in all her dealings.  People notice.

So?  I would suggest that we continually check our motivation and make sure that it is pure.  When you compliment the pastor on a sermon either make it an honest statement of how you feel or simply find someone else to talk to.  Apply that liberally to the rest of life.  

Preserving Riches

Proverbs 27:24 (KJV) For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Don’t be distracted by the word “riches”.  The immediate context here is the obvious meaning of the word.  The connotation has to do with David and his descendants.  It applies to us in our daily life.

Think of the holidays that are just past.  Think of the gatherings to come.  In your mind look around the table and see all the people that you have influenced over the years.  The point here is that you continue to influence them.  They’re still watching.  You may not think they’re listening, and it’s true.  They may not actually hear the words you say, but they hear the words you live.  Your influence over your children and your extended family never ends.

I know that, especially when you get older, you feel like no one cares and that you have nothing else to give.  That is not true.  Even your neighbors watch how you respond to things.  People in the car next to you watch how you drive.  When you pray over your meal in a restaurant, other diners, watch how you treat servers.

So?  We always have to maintain our spiritual and social accounts.  Live is God designed you to live and the investment will pay off.  

Today’s Investment

Proverbs 8:20-21 (KJV) 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

If you are old enough to have anyone who could or should look up to you then this is a direction for your life.  You are to lead.  You may not think you lead but somewhere there is someone who is watching you, someone who is wondering why you do what you do and thinking of imitating you.  For those with children that is pretty clear.  For those who either never had children or whose children are out of the home, there are other people looking at you.  It may be children at church.  It may be young married couples.  There are people watching.

And the direction you lead is in righteousness.  Just ignore those foolish people that say that we cannot live upright lives.  Read your Bible.  Make up your own mind.  If we can’t live righteous lives then what’s the point of all this instruction.?

So?  You are building an inheritance with those that love you.  Give them a strong foundation. 

Aware of Influence

Psalms 69:6 (KJV) Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

If I was writing a sermon or a Bible commentary I would need to bring the entire Psalm into consideration because it involves messianic prophecy.  Since I am doing a devotional reading I will take the verse out of context.  What did it say to me today?

I see here a plea that my actions have the potential to turn others away from seeking God’s face.  It is a concern in my daily life.  It was a fear I had when I was raising my children.  What kind of example am I giving to people about what it means to serve God?

So?  This is always a good prayer to have.  Make it a prayer.  

Be Careful

Proverbs 24:17 (KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

As I write, we are digesting the knowledge that Joe Biden has cancer and is not long to be on this earth.  Many people have responded with traditional messages of condolence.  Others have been less dignified.  How should we respond to something like this?

There is no question to anyone has been paying attention that Joe Biden has been an evil force in our country.  He has been an enemy to Christianity and to the republic.  At the same time there is a very stern admonition here about how we are to respond when someone who is clearly an enemy falls.  Read it and weep if you must.  You must also not gloat and his misfortune.

This does not mean that we do not seek justice or enforce the law.  This is about our attitude as believers.  We are not of the world.  We are to be different.

So?  Be different.  If nothing else, pray that this last awakening call to Joe Biden before he goes into eternity will bring him to repentance.  

Rewards

Proverbs 20:7 (KJV) The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Children and grandchildren are generally a joy.  For most people they are the greatest joy when they’re still in the diaper stage before they walk.  That is because they still seem to be innocent and their self-centeredness is disguised by their cuteness.  People sitting behind young parents will make faces at the babies as they look over your shoulder.  It’s a grand time.

But remember what Peter, Paul, and Mary sang, “A dragon lives forever but not so little boys.”  These wonderful “innocent” children grow up and begin to display a lot of characteristics that are not so wonderful . We still enjoy them.  We still think they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Eventually they grow up and start out on their own.  It is at that point that you begin to find out what kind of investment you’ve made.  What Solomon is saying here is that you don’t know until your children grow up what kind of an example you set for them.  I speak from my position of joy.  My father raised four boys.  They were all credit to him, family, and God.  My brother just died and I can say the same thing about his four children.  Their lives were lived in such a way that they invested in the next generation.

So?  If you have no children, then your contribution may be that of an uncle or a godfather, but you still have a contribution.  If you are a young parent, consider these words carefully.  If you’re an older parent, keep in mind that you continue to have input.  May God bless you and your children.  

The Payoff

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

I generally tend to start with financial issues when talking about inheritance.  I think that’s the general understanding of this verse, however it goes much further than that.  I just came from a week with my brothers family as we prepared for his funeral.  It was one glorious time.  I feel I know him better now than I did when he was alive because I was able to look into the hearts and minds of his children.  Even better, I was able to interact with his grandchildren, his children’s children, as it says in this verse.

What a delightful bunch of kids.  What a joy to be around.  What an inheritance.  I know that my brother faced the end in peace and assurance.  Much of that was based on his personal faith with the Lord.  In addition, there was the evidence that not only were his children on the right path but his grandchildren are following up.

So?  Are you making good investments?  The most important ones will not be found online as you review your portfolio.  Stop on the way by a bedroom.  Look in.  See the young souls being molded.  Rejoice. 

Passing the Buck

Proverbs 20:7 (KJV) The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Often when we read a verse like this, we think that there are certain promises made that are not really there.  In my first reading, and probably my fourth or fifth reading, this says that if I walk in “integrity” that my children will walk also in that integrity.  We take it as a promise, that if we follow God that our children will follow God.

That is not what it says.

It says that if we are faithful, our children will be blessed.  What that blessing means moves on to the next generation and depends on how they respond to the blessing.  I believe in free will.  Most people even if they are five point Calvinist, believe in some type of free will.  That means that no matter how much of a blessing we are to our children the question is, how will they respond.

I will concede that us walking in integrity gives them a better chance, a better foundation, understandings that others might not have, but it’s still up to them what they do with that blessing.  I can take my child out with a 22 rifle and teach him to shoot well.  He can take that skill and use it for recreation, or feeding his family, or for committing murder.

So?  Walk in integrity.  Lay the groundwork.  Set the example.  Pray that God would lead your children to follow in those footsteps.  Your responsibility is to give the blessing theirs is to respond to it. 

A Response to Debt

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.

Again, I find that the Septuagint has an interesting spin on the text of the Old Testament.  I really don’t know how accurate it is, but I like the applications that it gives me.

Proverbs 6:3 (BES) My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend's account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.

If the clear direction of God is not enough to convince you that debt is bad, if your own struggles to pay the interest payments don’t make you regret your decision to buy something you really didn’t need, the 70 give you another reason to get out of debt:  Do it for your friend.

We are told to get serious and to work on getting out of debt.  We are told to make it almost a public issue.  And part of the reason given here is so that we can “stir up our friends” and get them perhaps to follow her example.

So?  People watch us.  We are an example.  Be aware that what you do and why you do it affects other people both positively and negatively. 

Father Mold

(Pro 10:1 KJV)  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

As I read this this morning, I knew that I was not reading what it actually said.  There was some thing about what I was hearing in my head that just didn’t ring true, so I looked again.  What I was hearing was that a wise son would grow up to be a glad father.  Actually the statement is a little bit different than that so take it with a grain of salt.  Consider it a preaching point.  I think it is spiritualizing.  I still think there’s some truth in it.

If we are wise fathers, then we will raise wise children.  At least I hope that’s true.  At any means having a son brought up wise, will certainly make me as a glad father.

So?  Learn to be wise.  Set an example.  You may produce a wise son, which will certainly make you glad.

Pick a Path

(Pro 4:14 KJV)  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

The Hebrew used here for “path” (734) is used again in verse 18.  It is common in Proverbs.  The difference in this chapter is the type of path you will follow.  Here the warning is against following evil.  In verse 18 it talks about the path of justice.  When you look at a new born baby one of the questions is, which path will they take.  Even at that tender stage of life it seems like different infants are inclined different ways.  If you have two children you have probably noticed that they are individuals from the beginning.  Life will be full of choices.

The similarity in these verses is that your path is a matter of choice.  Although some are inclined toward a more evil path than others the Bible teaches that salvation is open to all.

So?  I assume you have made your choice.  Are you happy with it?  Are you helping the young in your life to make an intelligent and informed choice.  I guess we do so even if we are not aware of it. 

Law of the Heart

Proverbs 3:1 (KJV) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

I think it’s important for us to consider what David is saying here, actually, it’s Solomon.  He is telling us that the law is important.  He is telling us that the commandments are important.  He is telling us to obey the commandments.  But notice the place that these demands are to be retained, in your heart.

Ultimately God‘s law is to be hidden in our hearts.  It is to reform and renew our hearts.  It is to come from our inner being and not from our outer reading.  God wants to live inside of us and He wants to do that in a way that we can work with him and be obedient to him, and let the glory of His presence shine forth.

One way in which we can witness to a pagan world is to allow the standards of a holy God be real in our lives.

So?  Internalize it.  Let it fill you.  And let it guide you.

Never too Late

(Pro 20:7 KJV)  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Notice the verb that connects the “righteous” (6662) and the “integrity” (8537):  “walks” (1980).  We like to focus on the powerful theological concepts and we do so at the risk of losing the key action.  A result is that we lose our children.  As I approach the great leap into eternity I focus on the real marks of success.  God has blessed me in so many ways but the blessing that makes the struggles worth while is knowing that my children walk with the Lord and do so in a way that applies their righteousness to their walk.  

What makes the difference is our daily application of those sterling qualities.  What makes the difference today is how we applied them in the past.  There are no short cuts.  I look at my circle of friends and see parents with aching hearts because their children are not measuring up.  The parents need to understand that they cannot do anything about the past but they can start living for the future.

So?  Our children are our greatest treasure.  If they are on the right road, rejoice and don’t desert the paths you are walking.  If they are wayward then believe that your present choices will effect them.  Walk holy and leave the rest up to God. 

The Blame Game

(Pro 17:21 KJV)  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

One of the questions I have about wayward children is, “Heredity or environment?”  Sometimes I ask in humor.  Other times, I am really puzzled.  This verse seems to imply that a “fool” (3684 and 5036) is born a fool and is destined to break the heart of his father.  I don’t know if that is a comfort or a fear.  It tells us that sometimes there is nothing we can do about the decisions our children make.

At the same time there are other places where it indicates that there is some hope for fools.  Again the question is how much can you as a parent do about it.  So much of people’s destiny is in their own hands.  There are so many people you can do nothing for.  Their children may be hungry, you give them some money and they go to Disneyland.

So?  All we can do is our best.  If we have done so then it is out of our hands.  We also need to find that balance between being cavalier and being obsessive.  Easy to say.  Hard to do.  I am glad that God sees our hearts. 

Getting the Buck Started

(Pro 14:34 KJV)  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Being faithful to the calling of God “exalts” (7311) a “nation” (1471).  I have a friend who would discount this as having any meaning for us today because it was written to Israel.  The problem with that is the Hebrew word for “nation” is [goy] which is used to refer to Gentiles.  He has a theological system which demands that understanding.  In my world this is a principle, not necessarily a law, that says countries that practice righteousness benefit from that.

Perhaps a good way to measure how righteousness is measured is to look at how blessed a country is.  A formula is impossible because the issue is too complex but we can certainly look at the place we live and ask ourselves, “Are we being lifted up or dragged down?”

So?  We always place our trust in God.  He places His calling on us.  We are to be salt and light.  If we are concerned about our country then our first responsibility is to season and shine.  That starts in our inner person.  It does not stop there but our houses need to be in order before we can expect revival and renewal for our country.  Think about it. 

Turning the Tongue

(Pro 17:20 KJV)  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

I always have questions about what kind of language is appropriate.  The translations here of “perverted” (2015) NASB and “perverse” KJV are minority choices.  The most common translation by far is “turned”.  It is used when God turned the Nile into blood.  It is also used to change your mind or your physical direction.  

I am going to suggest today that this would refer to a tendency we have to talk different in front of different people.  Perhaps it would be the guy who is cussing up a storm until he realizes one of his listeners is a preacher and he says, “Oh, sorry Reverend.”  We might experience it when we get carried away and someone walks into the room who reminds us about that.

So?  You might as well talk as if the Lord were listening to everything you say, because He is.