One Way

(Pro 4:14 KJV)  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Have you noticed that the warning about a street being one way is much more muted when you enter correctly than if you are trying to go the wrong way?  It can be even more vague if you are coming in from a side street.  I have been at intersections where the only indication of being one way was that all the “no parking” signs were facing the same direction.

We make choices in life.  Often there is flexibility in the sense of morality.  There is no clear right or wrong.  This verse is more focused on the choices we have where there is really only one way it will take you.  The signs may be clear.  They may not.  That doesn’t change the direction.

So?  I trust you want the right path.  Pay attention to the signs, the indicators, the kind of people who are already heading that way.  I think the promise is that God will give us a way of knowing and then the choice is up to us. 

My Favorite Cop-Out

(Pro 3:30 KJV)  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

We like some things in black and white.  Others we want in shades of gray.  Which list they go on depends on our mood, personality and situation.  This verse is gray.  Notice it lays down a law and then has a condition.  It is at least the second time in this chapter.  It is common in the Bible.  People who have their theological system down tight don’t want to give anyone wiggle room but God often takes a different approach.  Remember that for many of us free will is a thing.

Perhaps the most controversial example of wiggle room was demonstrated by Jesus in the Garden just before His arrest.

(Luk 22:42 KJV)  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

In Matthew Jesus even repeats this prayer.

So?  Be aware that some people will tell you that “Thy will be done” is a cop-out.  Let them know that you just want to be like Jesus. 

A Hard Question

(Pro 2:7 KJV)  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

Have you ever had someone ask you to pray for them?  Or maybe you have been in a Bible study where they asked for prayer needs.  Either one works.  The thought I had here was along the lines of praying for the unsaved and what should be our focus.  I don’t know if you have noticed, but when someone brings up a prayer need from someone not known to the group the question that is rarely asked is, “What is their spiritual condition?”

Notice that this verse is offering protection.  Notice that the protection is being offered to the righteous, not the general world.  I sometimes wonder if we are wasting our time praying for their cancer if we are not praying for their souls.

So?  Witnessing should be a priority.  That is not because we don’t care but because we do.  It also is a thought for how we put together our prayer lists. 

At Ease!

(Pro 1:33 KJV)  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

This first chapter of Proverbs has some real extremes.  It opens with some glorious language about wisdom.  It then has a strong warning about being seduced by evil temptations.  Then you have a call to wisdom followed by some dire consequences for refusing.  Then at the very end it brings us back with a reminder of the hope that is available.

We are told that by paying attention to the lessons of wisdom we can be “at ease” (7599) NASB or live “quiet” KJV.  I think a combination of the two gets us to the meat of the promise.  It has the idea of secure rest, of being able to relax without crippling fear.

So?  The promise is offered.  It is up to us to pick it up and apply it. 

Aha! Oh.

(Pro 31:12 KJV)  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

A principle that is often forgotten is the Principle of the Two Edged Sword.  Most of us will never use a sword.  The closest we come is a kitchen knife.  Notice that kitchen knives usually only have one cutting edge.  That is to make them safe for the absent minded cook.  They only cut one direction.  If you are on the other side they will usually not hurt you.

A two edged sword is different.  It cuts both ways.  It also has a sharp point that is often overlooked.  Why do I dwell on this?  Because we are good at taking Biblical principles and applying them to the other guy, ignoring that they apply to us as well.  Here it is the virtuous woman that is being described.  That is one edge.  The other is that you are also the target of this exercise.

So?  When we want to say, “Aha!” because someone else experienced a gotcha it might be a good time to pause, swing the sword the other way and say, “Oh.”  Be virtuous. 

Made to Consume

(Psa 119:11 KJV)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

The “word” (565) is not given to us to be like an artifact in a museum.  Don’t get the wrong idea about “treasured” (6845).  It is costly.  It is unique.  It is to be used.  Think of the Bible as a canteen of water as you are on a hike through the desert not like a bottle of some rare wine to be climate controlled and locked away in the basement.  It’s value is in its use.

This is one of the problems with the way some people do “devotions”.  They think that if they read a chapter a day then they have been into the word.  If it doesn’t get into your active treasure trove then it is like a well stocked pantry that you are never allowed to eat from.

So?  Today is a good day to start.  If you have already read your quota for the day and it did not touch your heart, go back and take another look.  God is waiting. 

Hang in There

(Pro 29:26 KJV)  Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

I have been spending a lot of time studying Micah 6:8. 

(Mic 6:8 KJV)  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

In Micah God calls on us to do “justly” (4941) which is the same word used here.  This is a good balance for Micah.  Although we are called to go out and act in a just manner we are reminded that the ultimate results are up to God.

People we deal with are not interested in justice.  They often will not want anything to do with it.  We will feel frustrated and defeated.  We will wonder why we keep trying.  Because He said so.

So?  Hang in there.  We are in this for the long haul.  One of the frustrating truths we must deal with is that many questions will only be answered in eternity, but they will be answered.