OT Romans

Psalms 58:3 (KJV) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

(Proverbs 7 also read)

Does this sound familiar?  Compare it to this found in Romans,

Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Are they similar thoughts?

The verse in the OT causes me concern because it seems to say that some people, not all, are born already “wicked”.  This isn’t just talking about the fact that they have sinned.  This is talking about how much deeper disposition.  It’s talking about a few not all.

I wonder what could cause this kind of thing.  I wonder if the attitude of the parents and the environment of the mother might contribute to the direction of the child even before they’re born.  I know that we used to talk to our children while they were still in the womb.  I didn’t expect them to understand my great wisdom, but I did think that they could get used to the sound of the voice.

So?  There are a lot of questions that I don’t have answers for, but I do see this as an indication that we have influence in the lives of our children even before they’re born.  

Which Feet?

Proverbs 6:16 (KJV) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

First, notice that God is capable of hate.  Yes, God is love.  The Bible tells us that.  He is also capable of hate.  If you read the next few verses you will see that He is focused on certain actions.

What I want to point out is that those actions do not perform themselves.  The eyes, hands, mouth and feet are attached to a person.  The body parts are not what is being condemned.  It is the person they are attached to.

So?  Don’t think you will be able to hide behind excuses.  Each of us is responsible for what our body does.  Live in righteousness. 

Bible Correlations

John 10:10 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

I don’t know why it’s still surprises me when I come across consistent thoughts down throughout scripture, but I ran into another this week.  I’ve been preaching for five weeks and filling in for a church that was between pastors and this week I was preaching on the above scripture, on abundant life.  Today as I get up, and I’m reviewing what I’m going preach on, I find this in my reading in the NASB.

Proverbs 31:25 (NASB95) Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

One of the attributes of the abundant life is that it allows you to smile at the future.  That smile is not based on your own abilities or your own strength.  That smile is based on a confidence in the providence of God.

So?  Live in joy.  Live in abundance.  Live trusting in the sovereignty of God.  

Dawning on Me

Proverbs 4:18 (KJV) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

As I was reading this verse in the NASB this morning, I noticed an exciting “coincidence”.  The NASB talked about the dawning and how the righteous are living in the dawn light.  As I was reading it, the sun was peeking its way over the horizon off of my porch.  Orange.  Pink.  Gray.  Blue.  Radiance.

As the sun comes up the colors of the rest of the world began to take on depth and contrast.  It’s amazing how a little bit of light can change your perspective and that’s the way it is when you walk in righteousness.

So?  Every day examine your heart.  Every day open yourself up to the voice of God and the witness of the Holy Spirit.  Let it dawn upon you what God has for you.  

A Tree of Fear

Proverbs 3:18 (KJV) She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The “she” being talked about here is wisdom.  This makes me think back to the garden of Eden when there were two trees that got singled out.  One was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the other the tree of life.  God removed Adam and Eve before they could access the tree of life.  My suspicion is that in that case the tree of life had to do with how long you would live rather than how rich your life would be.

Here I think the tree of life is more in line within enriching the time that we have.  Wisdom helps us to grasp at what’s of real value and avoid the traps that Satan keeps throwing in front of us.  Wisdom helps us set priorities.  Wisdom gives us discernment.

I noticed that it tells us to “lay hold of”.  We are the ones who reach out to this tree of life.  We are the ones who have to trust.

So?  Start the day by reminding yourself that God will supply wisdom, but that that wisdom starts with a fear of Him.   

Look Back

Proverbs 2:20 (KJV) That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

Notice how this verse starts with the word, “that”.  If you just look at the previous verse, that doesn’t make any sense.  What it’s wanting you to do is look all the way back to the beginning of the chapter where you are told to listen to the Commandments and follow what your father has told you.

We need to keep looking back to the beginning, to the basics.  We always want something new, something fresh, something revolutionary and exciting.  Unfortunately for those of us with that mind set the best thing to be looking at regularly are the basics.

So?  Ask yourself what are the basics of life that God wants us to know about.  You can find the answer, but you’ve got look back to the beginning.  

Twisted Love

Proverbs 1:22 (KJV) How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

I often wonder why people reject things which seem so obvious.  As you look at the weird trends in our culture, embracing the transvestite, advocating the mutilation of children, pushing for abortion on demand, you wonder what makes people so willing to embrace the evil in life.

You have this concept of simple ones or naïve.  But you notice how they love their simplicity.  There is a real affection for the deviant things of life, and much of it comes from a willingness to ignore the obvious.  Many times if we see there’s a problem we are expected to do something about it.  If I have a pipe in my yard that has sprung a leak I can ignore it and depending on how bad the leak is, I may be able to get away with for a long time.  I’m just not willing to put the time or money into fixing it.  Eventually, that leak could wear away the soil, undermine the foundation of my house, cause dangers for walking.  But I love my simplicity.

So?  There comes a time when we have to grow up.  It may just be a small area of your life that needs adjustment.  Only you and God know.