Course Correction

(Psa 119:176 KJV)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

We are often quick to judge people who go “astray” (8582).  The first part of this verse makes that confession.  What is interesting is that this is set in a context of remembering God’s commandments and, I assume, seeking to obey them.  While it is discouraging when we get off track it is encouraging that it is not always a sign of gross sin.

I assume this means that there may well be times when we get so focused on the next blade of grass that we forget to lift our head and check our location.  I would assume that such situations are a part of everyone’s life.  If so, don’t be defeated.  You could add to this the picture of the good shepherd going and seeking until He finds you.

So?  Life is full of distractions.  I know it helps if I develop habits which make me look up and see if I am still in the green pastures I was led to.  

Target Practice

(Pro 17:16 KJV)  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

The Living Bible brings this into modern culture,

(Pro 17:16 LB) It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a rebel who has no heart for truth.

Think of all the young people going to college and coming out ignorant.  You see it in man-on-the-street interviews.  You experience it in your own conversations.  Does that mean there was no truth available?  Not necessarily.  Many of them spend their time trying to figure out the easiest major and least demanding classes instead of looking to be challenged.

We see the same thing in our churches.  We have some people who leave worship revived.  We have others who just can’t wait to get to lunch.  I would guess that one had his Bible open and the other was checking his e-mails.

So?  Be open to invest your life and energy in others but it might be a good idea to look for someone who is actually seeking truth.  

Extreme Choices

(Pro 13:13 KJV)  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

(Pro 13:13 NAS77) The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

These two translations agree on the problem as despising the word.  The results seem to be different.  Before I look at the Hebrew I am reminded of another question I have of the use of words like “destroy”, “never”, “always” and other extreme statements.  These words are often used as hyperbole because in the next verse there are contradictory statements.  That is a question for another platform.

Which is better, “destroy” or “be in debt.”  I would suggest that both are to be avoided.

So?  Focus on the gold standard.  

Hope Day

(1Pe 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

(Proverbs 3 also read)

This verse came to mind in the early hours focusing on the word “hope” (1680).  I think I was pondering the condition of the world and discussions I had listened to.  One question that came up in regard to the condition of society was, “Is there any hope?”  My instant response was, “Yes.”  Their instant response was, “No.”  

You may not have noticed but those are two different answers.  They would not understand that the different answers are based on a different reference point for our hope.  The talking heads were reflecting on the ability of us as individuals to bring about change in the system.  It was based on a knowledge of human nature and a lack of moral fiber.

We acknowledge those points but come from a different reference point.  Our hope is not based on a dependence on society and politicians but on our hearts and our God.  We can look at history, see the suffering and chaos and still realize that God has preserved His people.

So?  We have a hope.  By that we don’t mean a desire but an assurance.  We need to be ready to share that.  If we exhibit our hope people will wonder and if we have been a faithful witness they will want to know if we are crazy or know something they don’t.  

Don’t Text While Driving

(Pro 4:13 KJV)  Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

It is so easy to get sidetracked.  We think we are doing well, we look up and find out the car in front of us has stopped.  There is a time not to text and driving a car is one of them.  There is also a time to text.  Sending a message while the baby is asleep might be an example.  What we are holding fast to is not the texting but the wisdom to know when and where.

I need to be reminded of this today.  I had an encounter which quickly moved me from alert and productive to inert and lethargic.  It had nothing to do with my diet or global warming.  It was purely an emotional response that overwhelmed the wisdom God places in front of me.

So?  Time to take hold.  Time to center my scope.  Time to believe that God does not want me drifting off into La La land.  

Facades

(Pro 20:29 KJV)  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

We live in the age of the buff dude.  Working out at the gym is a religious ritual for many.  Even the click bait tries to get the elderly lifting weights and building strength.  That is reflected in this.

We are not in a time when age is assumed to bestow wisdom.  We tend to link it with dementia, feebleness, being out of touch and stuck in our ways.  That is definitely not reflected in this verse.

In either case this might be a case of damning with faint praise.  Neither big muscles or gray hair guarantee anything of value.  Many athletes die early because they put so much into big muscles.  One of the marks of foolishness is a Ph.D. from an Ivy League school.

So?  Put your trust in the Lord.  If you want to lift weights, fine, but don’t let it substitute for prayer and studying the word. 

Daily Sightings

Proverbs 4:27 (KJV) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

As we celebrate the 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed it does us good to develop the habit of a captain of a sailing ship of 1776.  They would take daily sightings to determine their exact location.  They would do it at high noon because the location of the sun directly overhead was important for accuracy.

We should do the same thing.  Have we as individuals drifted to the right or left?  We know the direction of the country and it is not promising.  Keep in mind that the nation is made up of individuals who either go with the flow or check their compass setting.  We cannot revive our country unless we revive ourselves.

So?  What a great time to make sure we are on target.  You can’t do it for me and I can’t do it for you but together we can do it for the nation.  

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.  

Flying Solo

Psalm 142:4 (KJV) I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

The lesson to be grabbed hold of is the no “man” is concerned for David’s soul.  While that may be hyperbole the point is that God does care and takes action.

We live in an age that is big on group dynamics and sharing with others.  It is part of the emergence of psychology.  Remember Bob Newhart and the group therapy sessions he would lead?  Too many look at the church that way.  It is not the final model.

While it is important to be part of the body and we are to support each other, ultimately the source of our hope and strength is God Himself.

So?  Keep your focus.  Check your spiritual compass which is found in the word and the living God.  He is the only one you can always count on.  That should be a comfort, not a frustration. 

Breakfast Verse

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

(Proverbs 8 also read)

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

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

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

Easy to Say

Proverbs 3:24 (KJV) When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

When you take this verse out of context, it almost sounds like it ought to fit into the 10 Commandments.  Notice, “thou shall not”, “thou shalt….”

Taken in context there are a lot of things going on here, but the ultimate reminder for us as we start this new year is to fear not.  I will grant you that there are times when fear is appropriate.  When my grandchildren sneak up on me and make hideous noises I jump.  I admit it.  The thing is it doesn’t work if I see them coming.  I see them coming if I’m expecting them.  Of course a large part of that is that I remember that they’re coming because if I get distracted and focus on other things then fear becomes a natural reaction

So?  Keep your focus on the Lord.  Keep His glory and power and love in the front of your mind.  Sure your mind will wander but keep calling it back.  And being not afraid in spite of what your YouTube channel tells you.  

Lifelong Learning

Proverbs 16:22 (KJV) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

The thought of going back to school terrifies me.  Going back as a teacher creates nightmares.  Most of the nightmares I have put me in a classroom with all of the fears that are involved and being in a situation like that.  The idea of having to go and sit as a student causes revulsion in my life.  I have listened to enough fools over the years to know that my patience does not extend anymore to them.

That being said, I think that one of the things that we need to accept as we get older is the importance of continuing to learn and to seek truth.  As we age, one of the things that we get concerned about is dementia and a decrease in our mental abilities.  I am coming to the conclusion that one of the things that can at least hold that at bay a little bit, or slow it down, is to keep our minds active.  Not sure that’s what Solomon was talking about here, but if you put together understanding and instruction and the fact that the two work together to form a wellspring of life, make your own conclusions.

So?  Keep reading for truth.  Keep seeking great thoughts.  Keep listening to what the Holy Spirit is whispering.   Let it be a wellspring within you.  

Talking Points

(1Pe 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

(Proverbs 10 also read)

This is on my list of great Bible verses.  I have referred to it often in my walk.  I never considered that it would also apply in discussions with fellow believers.  Today I am looking at it in that light.

I have a fellow traveler who has some decidedly strong opinions that I disagree with.  He is so consumed with things that I consider “bottom of the bucket list” that he even got to the point of asking me if I believed in the trinity.  I am still not sure where that question came from but I think it was simply because I disagreed with him on his theological system.  I used to enjoy debating him because he came up with things I had never thought of and pressed me to think.  I am beginning to think that the debate is one way and his concern is to evangelize me to his point of view.

So?  I will continue to dialog but I am going to put more emphasis on the last two concepts of this verse.  And I need to leave my sense of humor in my pocket because he is dead serious.  

Heart Unity

Psalms 86:11 (KJV) Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

That phrase “unite my heart” resounds within me.  My first thought was that it had the idea of gathering all the parts and assembling them into a unit.  When I looked at the usage of the word, I found a bit different idea.  It’s only occurring three times in the OT.

It has more of the idea of uniting us with God or having us join a group than doing something within us.  So when David calls to have his heart united, he is calling to become closer and more obedient to the God of his fathers.  That involves fear.  That involves walking.  That involves truth which must be taught.

So?  This could almost be a daily prayer.  It could also be a prayer of times of great turmoil.  Either way it still resounds.  

Investing

Proverbs 20:17 (KJV) Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Most of us avoid what we would consider deceit.  I’m not sure that everyone who deals with us feels the same way.  So one of the things that comes across here is we need to be more critical of our own motives and our own methods.  I would suggest bending over backwards to make sure that we are standing in the place of righteousness .

It is so easy to compromise.  It is so easy to make excuses.  What we need to understand is that the ultimate judge of our transactions and positions is God himself.

So?  Believe me you don’t want God filling your mouth with gravel.  That doesn’t mean you won’t have time to recover or that God won’t forgive you in the long run, but it’s not great finding a piece of sand in your spinach.  

Life-Long Learning

Proverbs 13:18 (KJV) Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Instruction is presented here as something which is given to you by another person.  The NASB uses the word “discipline” (4148) instead of instruction.  That different vocabulary got me to thinking about how discipline, or instruction, or even learning is a two edge sword.

We are taught by others.  As children our parents are our first and most effective teachers.  That’s one reason why homeschooling works so well.  Parents, even when they don’t realize it, are outstanding teachers.  And this goes on through life as we go through apprenticeships or on the job training or just about anything.  We can learn from others.

The other side of this is self teaching.  I went to seminary.  It was a valuable experience.  But most of the value there was in maturing and developing an outlook on life that was shaped by the attitudes and values of the professors.  It wasn’t so much the content.  You may have seen that title, “everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarten”.  There’s some wisdom in that.  Our education really depends on us continuing to learn.

So?  Your greatest teacher is the Holy Spirit.  Learning depends on you though eventually.  You need to be open.  You need to be seeking.  God will supply the textbooks of life.  

Count Your Strings

Psalms 33:2 (KJV) Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

As I read over this verse, my mind went down one of its rabbit trails.  I noticed that this Psalm specifically mentions 10 strings.  Is that divinely inspired and are we supposed to make a sermon based on that?  What about an instrument with nine strings?  11 strings?  My guitar only has six strings.  Can I use it or not?  It’s easy to get off on these tangents.  I think of a denomination that does not use any kind of instruments in their worship because all references to instruments are in the Old Testament and we are now in the new covenant.  They sang beautiful.  I don’t know what their theology is, but I would welcome them as part of the family of God.  They are straining after gnats and swallowing camels.

I recently started watching a video of a guy who was going to make an entire speech on 153 fish the disciples caught.  I listen for a few minutes, and then I realized that perhaps the time would be spent better in looking at the gifts of the spirit, the fruit of the spirit, what it means to love your neighbor, and so forth.

So?  We can get so caught up in meaningless details.  When you read the Bible, God has something to say to you and I don’t think it has to do with how many strings your guitar has.  I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.  

Well Planned

Jeremiah 4:22 (KJV) For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

Most of us know in a general sense the difference between right and wrong.  We know good from evil.  So does the rest of the world, even if they don’t agree with us on all of the fine details.  What is frustrating is that people tend to choose to go the way of wrong and evil.  Not only is it a deliberate choice, but it is a choice that involves conscious effort.

That comes through in this verse.  These are the children of Israel.  They may not know every detail of the law, but they have a general idea of how their lives should be lived.  Instead of putting the effort into finding ways to honor God, they invest the strength they have into finding ways around Him.  The KJV says they are wise, the NASB says, shrewd.  In many ways, these are positive qualities yet not when used to pursue evil.

So?  You only have so much time and so much energy.  You have a mind God has given you and an understanding and education with which to use that in mind.  Use it for God’s glory, not to fight Him.  

Root Resources

Proverbs 12:12 (KJV) The wicked desireth the net of evil I men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

One of the differences that I see in comparing the wicked and the righteous is the source of what they are looking for.  One looks inward and one looks outward.

The wicked is looking at what other people are bringing in and is hoping that he can gain from what he sees.  Here he seems to focus on those that are called evil.  I don’t know if you would call this birds of a feather or nuts falling from the tree.  Either way the resources available are destructive.

On the other hand at this point, at least, the righteous are going down to their roots.  We are looking inside.  I would have to conclude that we are talking about the way in which the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit living within us and having that fountain of living water.

So?  Which will it be?  Will you look at the lower level inputs around you or will you stick to the voice of God that is speaking to you from your heart.  And of course I would assume that you have been feeding that inner voice by a regular diet of His word. 

Cross Culture

Jeremiah 2:13 (KJV) For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

In this chapter, Jeremiah goes into a long recounting of the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel.  He goes all the way back to Egypt.  He points out that once again after all this time they are going to trust in Egypt instead of their God.  There’s a lot of creative writing, figures of speech, historical references, and so forth.

But here’s a verse that should stand out in your mind if it doesn’t sound familiar already.  We have often strayed away.  This is something that is not just a problem for Israel.  It is a problem for everyone.  We substitute an artificial construction for the living God.  Building a cistern is not a bad idea if the source of water is unreliable.  That’s not the picture here.  What we have is a picture of a very dependable source of water, which has never failed.  And they decide to build a cistern.

And it’s a crummy cistern.  It leaks.  I can just see the mold crawling across the bottom.  It probably has green scum everywhere.  That would be bad enough but it seems that instead of using the living water on a daily basis, they use the cistern.

So?  What are you relying on for your hope for tomorrow?  What is it that feeds you on a regular basis?  God has provided His word.  We have access to worship. We can spend time meditating and worshiping Him.  But instead we go to self-help books, psychology, sociology and anything else that appeals to us.  This is a reminder to keep our focus on trusting him.