(Pro 21:22 KJV) A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Notice that this is not Jericho. We are not told that God will make the walls of the pagan culture fall down if we just keep circling. Here we are given another strategy, one that is more realistic for all the barriers we face. We are to “scale” (5927), not batter. This word could be used of mountain climbing or using a ladder to reach a top shelf.
This is not a challenge to adventure. Have you seen pictures of people who are showing how crazy they are by climbing sheer mountain wall using ropes and pitons. In most cases there are other ways to get to the top that are not so difficult. This verse is not saying we need to tackle the hardest exposures of the pagan mountains. It is saying that we need to penetrate their world.
So? Find a way to scale the nonsense of our world. It can be done. It will be different for each of us. God gives us gifts to build the body of Christ. He also gives us unique personalities to witness to our world.
Friday, February 21, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Male Refrigerator Blindness
(Pro 20:27 KJV) The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
One of the problems with “searching” (2664) is finding. When I look at the many ways this word is used and its definition the idea of disguising and hiding comes up. It is like the game I play with my granddaughter. It is hide-and-seek in plain sight. You cover your eyes and act like you cannot see or be seen. It is amusing to the child who is learning and fun for the adult. It does not reflect reality.
How often do we look for something when we don’t want it? Parents know that children are this way. They never seem to be able to find the basket for their dirty sox. Men suffer from what has been called “male refrigerator blindness”. One of the ways I deal with this is to tell myself, “It is there. Just because you don’t see it changes nothing. It is there. Keep looking. It is there.” And eventually it is there. Amazing.
So? God has lessons for us. He wants us to see. We are the ones who need to implement the search.
One of the problems with “searching” (2664) is finding. When I look at the many ways this word is used and its definition the idea of disguising and hiding comes up. It is like the game I play with my granddaughter. It is hide-and-seek in plain sight. You cover your eyes and act like you cannot see or be seen. It is amusing to the child who is learning and fun for the adult. It does not reflect reality.
How often do we look for something when we don’t want it? Parents know that children are this way. They never seem to be able to find the basket for their dirty sox. Men suffer from what has been called “male refrigerator blindness”. One of the ways I deal with this is to tell myself, “It is there. Just because you don’t see it changes nothing. It is there. Keep looking. It is there.” And eventually it is there. Amazing.
So? God has lessons for us. He wants us to see. We are the ones who need to implement the search.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
A Family Culture
(Pro 19:26 KJV) He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Family is the bedrock of Christian society. Our culture “assaults” (7703) this value. I have read quotes from historical figures like John Dewey and professional organizations from the early parts of the twentieth century that have clear statements about the family being the enemy of their goals for society. Satan would agree with that.
Does that mean that all families are perfect? No, obviously not. Families are made up of people. Fathers and mothers are people. Keep in mind that children are people also. The oil that makes it work is the grace of God and the action of the Holy Spirit. Each of us is accountable to God for our behavior. We are also accountable to God to realize His standards are not the same as the society we live in.
So? It is more important to spend your time building a strong family than a strong political party. The same is true of just about every area of life. If we really believed that how would it change our priorities? I can’t answer that for you because I have my own sphere to worry about.
Family is the bedrock of Christian society. Our culture “assaults” (7703) this value. I have read quotes from historical figures like John Dewey and professional organizations from the early parts of the twentieth century that have clear statements about the family being the enemy of their goals for society. Satan would agree with that.
Does that mean that all families are perfect? No, obviously not. Families are made up of people. Fathers and mothers are people. Keep in mind that children are people also. The oil that makes it work is the grace of God and the action of the Holy Spirit. Each of us is accountable to God for our behavior. We are also accountable to God to realize His standards are not the same as the society we live in.
So? It is more important to spend your time building a strong family than a strong political party. The same is true of just about every area of life. If we really believed that how would it change our priorities? I can’t answer that for you because I have my own sphere to worry about.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Sin, not Snit
(Pro 18:19 KJV) A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
It might be important that this word “offended” (6586) is not a matter of getting your nose in a snit but of actually being sinned against. It would also seem that the sin was not an accident or mistake but a deliberate action. It has the meaning of rebelling.
How many times do we take established relationships and manipulate them. It could be as simple as taking something for granted, of not being grateful. It could be cold blooded destruction for personal gain. Once you tear down those connections that have been built over the years it is hard to reestablish them.
So? Whom do we take for granted. Here it mentions a “brother” (251). It might be a spouse or a parent. Something to think about for the day. I wonder how many people I will interact with and not stop to think about.
It might be important that this word “offended” (6586) is not a matter of getting your nose in a snit but of actually being sinned against. It would also seem that the sin was not an accident or mistake but a deliberate action. It has the meaning of rebelling.
How many times do we take established relationships and manipulate them. It could be as simple as taking something for granted, of not being grateful. It could be cold blooded destruction for personal gain. Once you tear down those connections that have been built over the years it is hard to reestablish them.
So? Whom do we take for granted. Here it mentions a “brother” (251). It might be a spouse or a parent. Something to think about for the day. I wonder how many people I will interact with and not stop to think about.
Monday, February 17, 2020
Fool Antidote
(Pro 17:7 KJV) Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
I find myself wondering which way this is to be taken. Does it mean that fools are not capable of pulling off the deception of wisdom or that they should not be allowed to do so. I am thinking today that this is a warning that we should not try to put great poetry into the mouths of the ignorant.
Have you ever been around someone who talks in lofty tones about something they know nothing about? It often happens in discussions of science issues. I think of how many people with Ph.D. credentials in physics trying to tell us about the sound science of evolution. Or how about the biologist who tries to be an authority on global warming. I would say I am amused at people who talk about Islam being a religion of peace who have never read the Koran, but it is not funny. How about politicians who talk about the Constitution who seem to have never read it.
So? We are expected to witness. We are to reflect a knowledge of God. That requires preparation in the form of study, prayer and meditation. Prepare.
I find myself wondering which way this is to be taken. Does it mean that fools are not capable of pulling off the deception of wisdom or that they should not be allowed to do so. I am thinking today that this is a warning that we should not try to put great poetry into the mouths of the ignorant.
Have you ever been around someone who talks in lofty tones about something they know nothing about? It often happens in discussions of science issues. I think of how many people with Ph.D. credentials in physics trying to tell us about the sound science of evolution. Or how about the biologist who tries to be an authority on global warming. I would say I am amused at people who talk about Islam being a religion of peace who have never read the Koran, but it is not funny. How about politicians who talk about the Constitution who seem to have never read it.
So? We are expected to witness. We are to reflect a knowledge of God. That requires preparation in the form of study, prayer and meditation. Prepare.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Wise Heart
(Pro 16:21 KJV) The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
If you compare this to verse 23 you see a lot of parallels.
As a retired teacher it strikes me that one reason our children are coming out of school so naive and ignorant is the nature of the teachers. The teachers have a certain amount of book learning but it has not been molded by a wise heart. There is a limit to what you can pass on when you don’t have it yourself.
So? Pray that God would give you a wise heart.
If you compare this to verse 23 you see a lot of parallels.
(Pro 16:23 KJV) The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.This goes as far as the Hebrew words used. One has “wise (2450) in heart (3820)” the other has “heart of the wise”. Both talk about “persuasiveness” (3948). The Hebrew for “lips” (8193) is used in both although the NASB has “speech” in verse 21.
As a retired teacher it strikes me that one reason our children are coming out of school so naive and ignorant is the nature of the teachers. The teachers have a certain amount of book learning but it has not been molded by a wise heart. There is a limit to what you can pass on when you don’t have it yourself.
So? Pray that God would give you a wise heart.
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Rainy Days
(Pro 15:15 KJV) All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
What a difference an attitude makes. Some days I am hopeless. I am grumpy and that is it. Don’t talk to me about attitude. The world is against me. Other days I am more in tune with the Spirit than my mood. I sense negative reactions swelling up in me. I am able to get victory and the day suddenly looks a lot better.
So many situations effect us and if we do not walk in faith and understand the hand of providence we are doomed to be a Gloomy Gus. I was in a conversation recently about all the times we have been close to death. One point of the discussion was how often we have been close to that fatal microbe or that drunk driver and our guardian angels redirected them without our notice.
So? I think it is going to be a cloudy day as I am writing. I can brood on everything being wet or I can enjoy the pitter patter. It won’t effect the weather but will allow the Son to shine in my soul.
What a difference an attitude makes. Some days I am hopeless. I am grumpy and that is it. Don’t talk to me about attitude. The world is against me. Other days I am more in tune with the Spirit than my mood. I sense negative reactions swelling up in me. I am able to get victory and the day suddenly looks a lot better.
So many situations effect us and if we do not walk in faith and understand the hand of providence we are doomed to be a Gloomy Gus. I was in a conversation recently about all the times we have been close to death. One point of the discussion was how often we have been close to that fatal microbe or that drunk driver and our guardian angels redirected them without our notice.
So? I think it is going to be a cloudy day as I am writing. I can brood on everything being wet or I can enjoy the pitter patter. It won’t effect the weather but will allow the Son to shine in my soul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)