(Proverbs 7:2 KJV) Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
This verse may be why I have a bit of trouble with the second verse of the chorus, “As a Deer”. The song talks about God being the “apple of our eye”. Here it says God’s “teaching” (8451) [torah] is the “apple” (380) of our eye. I did a quick search and found five references in the KJV to this phrase. None of them refer to God as being the “apple of our eye.”
What this verse is reminding us about is that we are to love the structure that God has given to His people. The word torah is translated "law" in the KJV but the NASB gives more of the breadth of meaning by using "instruction" and "teaching" also. If you are a follower of Jesus there is a desire to walk in obedience to the individual “commandments” (4687) but that is always done under the umbrella of instruction laid out in the Word.
So? Read, study, contemplate, apply. Are you tired of hearing that? Remember that one way you can get your wife or mother to stop nagging you about picking up your sox is to begin picking up your sox.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
He Delivers
(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.
Got problems? We are told to do something about it. We are to “go” (1980) and “deliver” (5337) ourselves. I am not sure this is an earthly guarantee of resolution though. We can go. We can humble ourselves. We can get pushy. Ultimately the results depend on our “neighbor” (7453).
What is the promise? We cannot force people to resolve issues. What we can do is our part. Part of the promise that I see is that by doing my part I have cleared the air between us and given God a chance to work. I can be assured He has worked in my life, I can’t force the other person to respond.
So? Do the right thing. Clear the air. Resolve difference. God will deliver and bless but it may be in ways that don’t deliver or bless the other person.
Got problems? We are told to do something about it. We are to “go” (1980) and “deliver” (5337) ourselves. I am not sure this is an earthly guarantee of resolution though. We can go. We can humble ourselves. We can get pushy. Ultimately the results depend on our “neighbor” (7453).
What is the promise? We cannot force people to resolve issues. What we can do is our part. Part of the promise that I see is that by doing my part I have cleared the air between us and given God a chance to work. I can be assured He has worked in my life, I can’t force the other person to respond.
So? Do the right thing. Clear the air. Resolve difference. God will deliver and bless but it may be in ways that don’t deliver or bless the other person.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Are You a Mourning Person?
(Proverbs 5:11 KJV) And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
I am at my “last” (latter end NASB) (319). I am at retirement age although I will not be retiring. As I look at this it seems to be a warning for us if we have been following the “strange woman” (adulteress NASB) of verse 3. You can take this literally or figuratively, both are a warning of a life lived in rebellion.
This is also a reminder, dare I say warning, to those who are far from the end. It will come. You will be there. Do you want it to be a time where you “mourn” (groan NASB) (5098) all the time or a time of rejoicing and satisfaction. You won’t be able to look back on a life well lived if you don’t live it well.
So? Young or old, get on the path of obedience and holy priorities. It is never too early to start but the day will come when it will be too late.
I am at my “last” (latter end NASB) (319). I am at retirement age although I will not be retiring. As I look at this it seems to be a warning for us if we have been following the “strange woman” (adulteress NASB) of verse 3. You can take this literally or figuratively, both are a warning of a life lived in rebellion.
This is also a reminder, dare I say warning, to those who are far from the end. It will come. You will be there. Do you want it to be a time where you “mourn” (groan NASB) (5098) all the time or a time of rejoicing and satisfaction. You won’t be able to look back on a life well lived if you don’t live it well.
So? Young or old, get on the path of obedience and holy priorities. It is never too early to start but the day will come when it will be too late.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Catalyst of Promise
(Proverbs 4:12 KJV) When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
This seems to be a parallel with Isaiah 40:30.
To receive the promise we need to wait on the Lord. This ties in with Proverbs. If you read the surrounding verses you see that the promise is embedded in the study and application of Wisdom.
So? Promises have conditions. The sustaining hand of God is tied to us spending time with Him and drinking from the wisdom He has do offer. Schedule Him in.
This seems to be a parallel with Isaiah 40:30.
(Isaiah 40:30 NAS77) Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,I was reading over this just a few days ago. The promises of God keep coming back to refresh us. What was the basis of this promise in Isaiah? You need to read the next verse.
(Isaiah 40:31 NAS77) Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
To receive the promise we need to wait on the Lord. This ties in with Proverbs. If you read the surrounding verses you see that the promise is embedded in the study and application of Wisdom.
So? Promises have conditions. The sustaining hand of God is tied to us spending time with Him and drinking from the wisdom He has do offer. Schedule Him in.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Don’t Be Afraid of Fear
(Proverbs 3:25 KJV) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Don’t waste your “afraid” (3372)ration on worrying about people making you jump. We can be startled. Don’t worry about it. “Sudden” (6597) “fear” (6343) is something you can’t control. This is a different fear than the fear of the Lord.
Notice that there are two different words for “afraid” (3372) and “fear” (6343). The first is the word commonly used when we talk about fear of the Lord. This is healthy. The second is more often used for unhealthy dread.
A healthy fear helps us to focus. It causes anticipation and energizes us to improve and excel. It is the kind of concern you have for an approaching deadline on a project that you know how to handle. The student who has done his homework was motivated to do it. He wonders how he did. The student who did nothing has a dread based on his known failure. The first is the believers attitude toward God.
So? Someone startles you and you jump. Laugh along with them. They got you. God tends to let us know He is coming. Watch for Him with a holy fear.
Don’t waste your “afraid” (3372)ration on worrying about people making you jump. We can be startled. Don’t worry about it. “Sudden” (6597) “fear” (6343) is something you can’t control. This is a different fear than the fear of the Lord.
Notice that there are two different words for “afraid” (3372) and “fear” (6343). The first is the word commonly used when we talk about fear of the Lord. This is healthy. The second is more often used for unhealthy dread.
A healthy fear helps us to focus. It causes anticipation and energizes us to improve and excel. It is the kind of concern you have for an approaching deadline on a project that you know how to handle. The student who has done his homework was motivated to do it. He wonders how he did. The student who did nothing has a dread based on his known failure. The first is the believers attitude toward God.
So? Someone startles you and you jump. Laugh along with them. They got you. God tends to let us know He is coming. Watch for Him with a holy fear.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
New Delights Daily
(Proverbs 2:14 KJV) Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
The KJV again uses this word “frowardness” (perversity NASB) (8419). I am glad to see it even if it is a bit archaic. It wakes me up to a concept that I have become inured to. When I see “perverse” I recognize it as a part of life. When I see “froward” I ask myself, “What?”
I don’t know about you but I am becoming insensitive to the degenerate nature of our society. Words that used to set me off are now going in one ear and out the other. What used to be called “four letter words” and were shunned are now a part of everyday conversation. Can you picture an actor being able to get through a dramatic scene without a “damn” or a “hell,” let alone dropping the F-bomb?
So? We can’t do much about what we see on TV. Wait. What? You mean we can turn it off? I guess that would be a good first step. In addition we can review our own vocabulary and make sure that we are not drifting into “frowardness.”
The KJV again uses this word “frowardness” (perversity NASB) (8419). I am glad to see it even if it is a bit archaic. It wakes me up to a concept that I have become inured to. When I see “perverse” I recognize it as a part of life. When I see “froward” I ask myself, “What?”
I don’t know about you but I am becoming insensitive to the degenerate nature of our society. Words that used to set me off are now going in one ear and out the other. What used to be called “four letter words” and were shunned are now a part of everyday conversation. Can you picture an actor being able to get through a dramatic scene without a “damn” or a “hell,” let alone dropping the F-bomb?
So? We can’t do much about what we see on TV. Wait. What? You mean we can turn it off? I guess that would be a good first step. In addition we can review our own vocabulary and make sure that we are not drifting into “frowardness.”
Friday, June 1, 2012
Pro Choice
(Proverbs 1:24 KJV) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
God has “called” (7121). This could be the eternal picture of God, always reaching out and being rejected. In verse 28 we will see that God runs out of patience. He rejects those who turn to Him only because things have gone bad.
People have “refused” (3985) His call. I believe that everyone has a chance to move toward God and make repeated decisions on which way they will go. It may not be choices at the level of responding to a clear proclamation of the gospel. It may just be a simple decision to lie for personal benefit or steal on the spur of the moment. At the time the person knows it is wrong but makes a decision that moves them away from God. Later they may claim ignorance but there was still a decision on their part, a refusal to do the right.
When it comes down to it, there is little you can do to get other people to respond to the call of God. If there is, you are probably already doing it. Don’t beat yourself up for the choices of others. The key question is, “What about you?”
So? Just a quick check. Have you responded or refused? Only you can answer that. Only you can change it. May you life be full of response and void of refusal.
God has “called” (7121). This could be the eternal picture of God, always reaching out and being rejected. In verse 28 we will see that God runs out of patience. He rejects those who turn to Him only because things have gone bad.
People have “refused” (3985) His call. I believe that everyone has a chance to move toward God and make repeated decisions on which way they will go. It may not be choices at the level of responding to a clear proclamation of the gospel. It may just be a simple decision to lie for personal benefit or steal on the spur of the moment. At the time the person knows it is wrong but makes a decision that moves them away from God. Later they may claim ignorance but there was still a decision on their part, a refusal to do the right.
When it comes down to it, there is little you can do to get other people to respond to the call of God. If there is, you are probably already doing it. Don’t beat yourself up for the choices of others. The key question is, “What about you?”
So? Just a quick check. Have you responded or refused? Only you can answer that. Only you can change it. May you life be full of response and void of refusal.
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