Blind Guides

Proverbs 4:19 (NLT) But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

Why is it so important for a culture to have a solid foundation of believers?  Most of the cultural leaders don’t see the need.  They continually come up with great ideas that will transform society.  The sad part is that they are correct.  They will transform society but it will not be in the way that we want.

Those who have a solid foundation and clear vision may see that raising taxes and spending on entitlements will drive the economy further down, but the ones who pass the laws seem totally oblivious.  I am not so sure but give them the benefit of the doubt.  They still “have no idea” what they are creating.

So?  Keep being salt and light.  Our country needs us to correct their nonsense.  Don’t ever think your opinion is useless if it is based on the standards of God.  

Source of Change

Proverbs 13:17 (BES) A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.

I like the way the LXX puts this verse.  It gives us a target for our prayer lives.  It reinforces something that I have been doing on occasion and that is, when I pray for the president, I pray that his advisors would have their act together.  Many times a person in leadership has to make decisions, but he can’t know everything.  He has to rely on the information other people bring him and the opinions they express.

That means it would behoove us to pray for the people surrounding the president or your governor or even your congressman.  Pray that they are wise.  Pray that they give the right direction.

So?  While you’re at it, you might even pray for yourself and the people around you.  On one side, you might be that messenger, on the other, you might need to be the one who is listening.  

Muddy Waters

(Pro 25:26 KJV)  A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

As a kid it was fun to stomp in puddles or wade in small streams.  Part of the fun was stirring up the silt and mud.  It would make instant clouds that would take serious time to clear out.  What is fun for a child can be a problem for adults.  If you had been moving west in a wagon and came to a spring or creek, how would your parents have responded if you ran ahead and started muddying the water?  I think we both know.

The same is true for those of us seeking to live righteous lives.  We will obviously make mistakes.  There will be times when we will muddy the waters.  We can mess things us for others as well as ourselves.

So?  Perfect performance may be impossible but being aware that your actions effect others might be helpful in curbing your enthusiasm for stirring up the mud of life.  

Quiver as a Noun

(Psa 127:5 KJV)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

I read this verse the day after we had a house full of children.  True, they were not my children.  Two of them were my grandchildren.  The point is the same.  Children are a blessing.

Yes, they can be a burden.  Proverbs also contains awareness that much of the blessing depends on the type of children they are but the ones we had over were all home schooled and vitally involved in a church that supported home schooling as well as teaching the Bible.  What is the key to raising wonderful children?  I am still waiting to write my book but the first ingredient is living a life that demonstrates what you are trying to teach.

So?  Be aware that for Christians children are a precious resource not a burden that keeps you from living at the style in which you would like to become accustomed. 

Leaning into Truth

(Pro 29:12 KJV)  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

The term “hearken” (7181) or “pays attention” seems to sometimes have the idea of leaning toward.  In fact, part of the definition is to incline.  This is a major quality that we need to seek in our leaders and it is hard to prove.  Talking heads always portray the people they disagree with as dishonest and their own favorites as pure as the driven snow.  Obviously things can’t be that clear.

We can easily find places where people have been deceived.  We can find evidence that they have been quoted out of context.  What we need to look for is a general desire to know truth.  When I look at one of our current races I see one candidate making the most atrocious statements, having them shown on video and then denying that they said it.  We see this all the time in elections.  

So?  They cannot change their spots but they can buy a can of paint that looks good on camera.  Our job in a free society is to do our homework.  One of the requirements of homework is keeping our memory on the job.  Pray that God will guide us in the influence we have.  

Be the Straw

(Pro 24:11 KJV)  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

This is another place where it helps to compare other translations.  In the KJV this is an incomplete thought.  In other translations it stands alone.  

The point is that we are to be working to keep people from destroying themselves.  This has so many application in our culture today.  It goes far beyond just the need to evangelize.  Think of the ways in which people are heading for destruction.  Start with the standard one of alcohol.  That has been with us since the beginning of time.  Move forward to all the drugs that are turning minds in mush and bodies into wastelands.  Add the most resent atrocities of using surgery and drugs to encourage confused children to try to change their sex.

So?  We have a calling to stand up and speak out.  For most of us it will be almost a surprise when we find someone willing to listen.  Keep on the alert.  It could be that you will be the straw that breaks the devils back.  

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.

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. 

Influence

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

I have often heard this quoted.  Usually it is to contrast the direction in which our country is going.  There is little evidence that righteousness is in demand today.  Maybe it is because we don’t understand the word.

We, or at least I, tend to equate righteousness with morality.  That is not a bad comparison but it goes deeper than that.  One of the roots of the word has to do with justice and judging.  It refers to the rule of law.  What that means is that the rules are agreed to ahead of time and applied equally to all people. 

If you look at countries that have had long term prosperity you will find the concept of the rule of law.  If you look at countries that are currently chaotic and broken down you see elites living in incredible wealth and the masses being manipulated without regard to justice.

So?  In this area you need the personal application in your own life and a political influence that goes beyond being politically correct and demands a blind justice.  Most of our influence will be in our families but you never know how God can use your obedience.  

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.  

My Goal

Psalm 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 15 also read)

There’s a lot in this chapter as David pours his heart out to the Lord.  There’s only one mention toward the end that might be construed to have something to do with the law and the sacrificial system, everything else has to do with an obedient son, reaching out to a loving father.

I so much want to pass that on to others.  This past week I’ve had dinner with my son and an outing with my daughter and grandchildren.  If I had to write a report, it would be full of praise for God and thanksgiving for the blessings that He’s given me in my children.  I feel that I have passed on the torch to them.  That of course allows for their differences in personalities and priorities.  It understands that they are not going to agree with me on everything.  No problem.

What this first reminds me of today is that I have a continual example to set for others.  I think of the people at my church.  I tend to be an introvert, but I’m working on it.  I wonder how many of them can be uplifted in someway by my example.

So?  Let me join David in this prayer today.  May I do nothing to drag others down or to cloud their vision of You.  May I be an eternally positive influence in their life. Amen.  

Be a Shelter

Proverbs 17:13 (KJV) Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Again a thought crossed my mind as I read this this morning about homes where one person is righteous and the other is rebellious.  How does that apply to such a home?

My mind goes to that passage, I believe in Paul,

(1Co 7:14 KJV)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Stretch it out a little bit and look at things on a national level.  Our country seems to be discarding any kind of moral fiber and heading down the drain.  We are getting fewer and fewer people who seek to be righteous.  At what point is the salt leached out and we are open to God’s retribution?

So?  Keep in mind that the Bible constantly talks about the faithful remnant and it’s very clear that the righteous will always be a minority.  Make sure you’re part of that minority and leave the big issues up to God himself.  

Be Careful Whom You Quote

Proverbs 12:5 (KJV) The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Everywhere you look there is some kind of a DIY waiting to show you how to do something.  It used to be that we had entire shelves of the library or the bookstore.  Now we see them in YouTube videos.  I’m sure you’ve noticed that sometimes a YouTube video is very helpful, other times not so much.

I remember in the past year I was working to fix the steering mechanism on a riding mower that I bought used.  I watched several videos and as a general rule, they made it look pretty easy.  What was interesting in watching multiple videos was that some advised you to be careful in a certain area while others advised you to be careful in another area.  All of them seem to leave out some essential knowledge that I found I needed when I got into the project.  And all of them also were totally out to lunch on what my real problem was.

Be careful whom you use as a source.  I’m reading a number of books on different topics and I find that the secular authors who come from a liberal background tend to be rather unreliable at times.  I think I know enough, have enough background, I’ve been down the road to enough times, to discern what to listen to and what to ignore.  I get that discernment from a solid foundation of God’s word.

So as this first tells you, be careful who you listen to.  There are those out there who are not just making mistakes, but are deliberately deceiving.  Have a good year.

Stop Braying

Proverbs 27:22 (KJV) Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

First a word for you King James enthusiasts.  Do you know what it means to bray?  I have to guess that most people under age would have no idea.  Those who are a little bit older might think of the noise a donkey makes.  Neither one of those is satisfactory here.  You need to find a modern translation and do a little research.  Modern translations come up with “pound”.

What caught my attention this morning was this idea of trying to convince a fool of truth.  Since I’m reluctant to call people fools in the biblical sense, in my mind I insert something less damning.  I just think of someone who’s naïve or possibly uninformed.  It does apply though to a certain mentality that refuses to listen or to seek deeper truth.

This seems to imply that there are some people who are just not open to the truth.  Not only do they not listen but even if you get them to repeat your words, one at a time they don’t get beyond the wax in their ears.  I think the idea here is to stop beating the dead horse.

So?  I hope this type of fool never applies to me.  What it does tell me is that I need to find more positive and different ways to try and get around the obstruction in other people’s minds and hearts.  May God guide me and make me sensitive to where other people are.  

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.  

Be of Good Cheer

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

I think this verse stood out to me this morning as I was coughing and spitting and blowing, and all the other things that go along with one of these long-term congestions.  In spite of that, my spirits are high, because I know the Creator.  I know He put within me a system to fight disease and to attack invaders in my body.  That doesn’t make me cough less, but it certainly assures me that things are in good hands.

My ailments are minor in the scheme of things.  What is probably more encouraging than my knowledge that God is in charge is the spirit I’ve seen in others who are suffering from things that I would consider to be really serious.  All around me I see people who are going through possibly the last major illness they have, and they still exhibit a trust in the Lord.  Their joy at times may be a bit down, but the Joy is still there.

So?  Whether it is your own inner assurance, or the outer assurance radiating from other believers, it is good to know that we are sustained by the spirit of “God is with us”.  

Pick a Card

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 chapter in Proverbs is loaded with the reality of getting rewards for our actions and our choices expressed in many different ways.  You could preach a sermon on tithing, you could teach about creation, you could talk about the blessings of wisdom and foolishness of sin.  There are all kinds of contrast here.

I finally settled on this first because it is a way in which we can look at the year to come and make decisions now about what we expect from this year.  He talks hear about your “house” or later in the verse “habitation”.  What this means is not just your building, but your family, your friends, and possibly even your neighborhood.  What kind of influence is going to be radiating from you?

So?  When we begin the year is a bit arbitrary, but for most of us it’s the time to stop, think, and plan.  Why not plan for a year of being blessed by God by living a life that blesses him? 

The Point of Vision

(Pro 29:18 KJV)  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

I think most people are familiar with this verse from the King James Bible.  The Septuagint gives an interesting paraphrase of this,

Proverbs 29:18 (BES) There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.

The man of vision is portrayed as someone who interprets what the word of God is for us.  This could be a preacher.  It could be a family member.  The message is there.  The information is there.  But sometimes you need someone to lay it out for you where you can’t ignore it anymore.

What is also key here is the idea that we as a people need to be living righteously or God will not speak to us in the way of giving us guidance.  He may reprove.  He may correct.  There are many things that He might want to say to us, but if we’re not listening, He may choose not to waste His breath.

So?  If you want to know what God would like to say to you, then listen.  The art of listening is seeking to obey within the range that you were able to obey. 

A Time for Salt

(Pro 29:8 KJV)  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

I substituted “nation” for “city” (7151) as I read this.  That is natural for us today.  We don’t think in terms of cities as our identity as much as states or nations.  As we look at the condition of our political systems I think there is much to be worried about.  The wrong kind of people are in control.  What can we do about it?

One recommendation is that we be salt.  I know the word is not used here but that is the idea behind the righteous turning away wrath.  God eventually has enough and unleashes His wrath on nations and individuals.  One of the things that seems to hold back the destruction is a group of faithful believers who are living upright lives.  That is the only reason I can think of that He has not brought America to its knees.  Of course, that may already be in motion.

So?  Continue to be faithful.  Continue to live an upright life.  It may be enough to protect society.  It may not.  If not, trust that God will have His hand upon us. 

Slippery! Beware!

(Pro 27:16 KJV)  Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

Certain relationships and encounters mark us and we can’t hide them.  Here the conflict is with a nagging wife.  The mark is compared to having “oil” (8081), which is the most common translation of the KJV “ointment” even in the KJV, on your hands.  I recently was using some lubricant out of a spray can.  In the process it adhered everywhere including the outside of the can.  That transferred to my fingers.  Once you get oily substances on your fingers it is almost impossible to get rid of them totally.  If you are forced into repeated contact, then forget it.

So it is in some relationships.  Solomon does not offer a simple solution although the next verse talks about iron sharpening iron.

So?  Accept that your relationships effect you.  Be careful whom you rub shoulders with so that you don’t spread what is negative.  There are probably times when it is better just to do something in solitude and let your attitude get back in shape.