(Pro 20:28 KJV) Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
In America we do not have hereditary monarchs today. In the time of Solomon this would have been an assurance that God cared about the king. The king was sustained by “mercy” (righteousness NASB) (2617a) [chesed]. This is the only place this word is translated this way in the NASB. Most common is “lovingkindness”. That is a concept I love. It wraps up all the love and grace of God and reminds us that God extends his lovingkindness toward us.
Here it applies to the king. In modern politics it might refer to a president or prime minister. If you want to stretch it a little bit it refers to each one of us. We are upheld by His almighty hand.
So? You can think of it as grace. You can imagine the Holy Spirit at work. God has His eye on us, each and every one.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Wisdom Is Not Catch and Release
(Pro 19:8 KJV) He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
It is one thing to “get” (7069) something. It is a totally different thing to “keep” (8104) it. We tend to forget this. Remember your first paycheck? I don’t either but I can imagine how I would have had a change of emotional state when I moved from the moment I got the check to the understanding that I had already lost 25% before I could cash it. And then when you move down the road to how quickly it was spent. When we are young we are not too good at being stewards of our wealth. Sometimes we never learn.
We are used to acquiring. We go to college and can’t measure our knowledge but we can keep track of our classes and grades. We cram for a test and forget it all after the crisis. We are good at that part. Where we fail is in the maintaining what is gained. A key part of our understanding of the Hebrew for “get” is that it involves guarding. That involves vigilance and care more than a loaded AR.
So? I find it helps me establish some priorities if I ask myself if I will take care of something once I have it. My lack of attention to maintenance is one reason I am in no hurry to get a new car. My spiritual life is a little higher on the list.
It is one thing to “get” (7069) something. It is a totally different thing to “keep” (8104) it. We tend to forget this. Remember your first paycheck? I don’t either but I can imagine how I would have had a change of emotional state when I moved from the moment I got the check to the understanding that I had already lost 25% before I could cash it. And then when you move down the road to how quickly it was spent. When we are young we are not too good at being stewards of our wealth. Sometimes we never learn.
We are used to acquiring. We go to college and can’t measure our knowledge but we can keep track of our classes and grades. We cram for a test and forget it all after the crisis. We are good at that part. Where we fail is in the maintaining what is gained. A key part of our understanding of the Hebrew for “get” is that it involves guarding. That involves vigilance and care more than a loaded AR.
So? I find it helps me establish some priorities if I ask myself if I will take care of something once I have it. My lack of attention to maintenance is one reason I am in no hurry to get a new car. My spiritual life is a little higher on the list.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Target Lips
(Pro 18:20 KJV) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
What we say makes a difference. How we say it makes a difference. What we really mean makes a difference. Communication is important. I think that is the main point underlying this verse. The focus seems to be on our own lives but I think the principle can be outward mobile also.
So? Let the products of our mouths be vitamins and minerals, not just empty calories.
What we say makes a difference. How we say it makes a difference. What we really mean makes a difference. Communication is important. I think that is the main point underlying this verse. The focus seems to be on our own lives but I think the principle can be outward mobile also.
So? Let the products of our mouths be vitamins and minerals, not just empty calories.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Look Out for the Lips
(Pro 17:4 KJV) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
The ways in which the thinking of the world and modern psychology have invaded the church is pervasive and clever. Proverbs tells us time and again that evil exists. The constant reminder also clues us in that it is very common. The fact that Jesus said the gate to eternal life is narrow should be another indication. The world is full of evil people.
At the same time we are told to demonstrate the love of God in all our behavior. Even when it comes to our witnessing and defense of our faith, I Peter 3:15 tells us to do it with “gentleness and reverence”, or as the KJV has it “meekness and fear”. That has been manipulated by the world to get us to think that we should accept the evil in people and ignore it instead of confronting it. As a result we see our pulpits being filled with heretics and our worship being redesigned to please non-believers instead of glorify God.
So? Be alert. We are surrounded by slick liars and perverted tongues. Walk in righteousness and don’t be fooled.
The ways in which the thinking of the world and modern psychology have invaded the church is pervasive and clever. Proverbs tells us time and again that evil exists. The constant reminder also clues us in that it is very common. The fact that Jesus said the gate to eternal life is narrow should be another indication. The world is full of evil people.
At the same time we are told to demonstrate the love of God in all our behavior. Even when it comes to our witnessing and defense of our faith, I Peter 3:15 tells us to do it with “gentleness and reverence”, or as the KJV has it “meekness and fear”. That has been manipulated by the world to get us to think that we should accept the evil in people and ignore it instead of confronting it. As a result we see our pulpits being filled with heretics and our worship being redesigned to please non-believers instead of glorify God.
So? Be alert. We are surrounded by slick liars and perverted tongues. Walk in righteousness and don’t be fooled.
Monday, March 16, 2020
Monopoly Understanding
(Pro 16:22 KJV) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
It would seem that some people have “understanding” (7922) and some don’t. That makes me wonder how each group arrive at that conclusion. Is it a matter of choice? Is it a matter of chance? Is it predestination?
I believe that it is available to all. Think of it as a game like Monopoly. Each person starts out with a certain amount of wealth. From there it depends on how you respond to the choices put before you. In a game there is the element of chance. It is possible to make all the “right” choices and have the role of the dice put you on Boardwalk every round after someone else buys it. The difference between the money of Monopoly and the understanding of the Bible is that God looks at how we get it as much as how much we have.
So? I believe understanding is available to all. I believe that each person will have what he needs if he is seeking first the kingdom of God.
It would seem that some people have “understanding” (7922) and some don’t. That makes me wonder how each group arrive at that conclusion. Is it a matter of choice? Is it a matter of chance? Is it predestination?
I believe that it is available to all. Think of it as a game like Monopoly. Each person starts out with a certain amount of wealth. From there it depends on how you respond to the choices put before you. In a game there is the element of chance. It is possible to make all the “right” choices and have the role of the dice put you on Boardwalk every round after someone else buys it. The difference between the money of Monopoly and the understanding of the Bible is that God looks at how we get it as much as how much we have.
So? I believe understanding is available to all. I believe that each person will have what he needs if he is seeking first the kingdom of God.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Certain of Uncertainty
(Pro 15:16 KJV) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Many people who look at this see a contrast between much and “little” (4592). That is really not what is being contrasted. The difference between the two lives is the focus of your trust. Do you trust in God or do you trust in your own influence? Proverbs makes provision for wealthy people being happy and secure, but only if their priority is living a righteous life as God expects.
We face a lot of uncertainty. We have prophets of doom who have a long list of catastrophes that we are facing. It could be a financial collapse. We have a long line of diseases that have drawn headlines. Divorce might threaten. The list is as varied as there are people and concerns.
So? Something will threaten. We need to take precautions. Most of all we need to develop our trust in the Lord.
Many people who look at this see a contrast between much and “little” (4592). That is really not what is being contrasted. The difference between the two lives is the focus of your trust. Do you trust in God or do you trust in your own influence? Proverbs makes provision for wealthy people being happy and secure, but only if their priority is living a righteous life as God expects.
We face a lot of uncertainty. We have prophets of doom who have a long list of catastrophes that we are facing. It could be a financial collapse. We have a long line of diseases that have drawn headlines. Divorce might threaten. The list is as varied as there are people and concerns.
So? Something will threaten. We need to take precautions. Most of all we need to develop our trust in the Lord.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Mouth Proud
(Pro 14:3 KJV) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
In this verse the NASB has “back” (2415), yet its most frequent translation is “pride”, just like the KJV has here. I often think that the problem with translators is pride. They can’t leave well enough alone. They have to leave their mark. We have two cats in the house at the moment. They seem to follow each other around remarking their territory. I guess they figure the other will come by next time and admit defeat. It ain’t gonna happen.
So often we get that way in our pride. I have to fight it in all kinds of petty things. My wife thinks the silverware should be arranged a certain way. It makes no sense to me but I gave up on it years ago. It would be great if I could learn that in other areas.
So? Mouth and pride seem to go together. In order to get victory over one we need to work on the other. Take your pick.
In this verse the NASB has “back” (2415), yet its most frequent translation is “pride”, just like the KJV has here. I often think that the problem with translators is pride. They can’t leave well enough alone. They have to leave their mark. We have two cats in the house at the moment. They seem to follow each other around remarking their territory. I guess they figure the other will come by next time and admit defeat. It ain’t gonna happen.
So often we get that way in our pride. I have to fight it in all kinds of petty things. My wife thinks the silverware should be arranged a certain way. It makes no sense to me but I gave up on it years ago. It would be great if I could learn that in other areas.
So? Mouth and pride seem to go together. In order to get victory over one we need to work on the other. Take your pick.
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