Quiet Guides

Proverbs 7:5 (KJV) That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

The “they” in this verse refers to the lessons in wisdom that have been offered over the years by the recipient’s father.  I would guess that some things have been repeated so many times that the advice goes in one ear and out the other.  My wife is always trying to tell me the exciting details of the Fake Weather News for the morning.  If I panicked quickly I would never go out of the house.  That does not mean that I don’t need to be reminded that there is weather.

One reason I don’t necessarily need a reminder today is because I have a lifetime of watching the weather.  I have learned that if I hear the sound of raindrops it is probably raining.  If I see the trees dancing through the window it is probably windy.  I have internalized the lessons of forgetting my umbrella.  Thus wisdom can help us to shape our day and our lives.

So?  It makes a difference.  Rejoice in what you have built in over the years and keep looking out the window to see what today’s weather has in store.  

What Is So Special about Zion?

Psalm 87:2 (KJV) The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

I must confess, I do not know.  I have no grasp of why the Creator of the galaxies should have great affection for a hill in the Middle East.

It can’t be inherent value.  I don’t know of anything about Mount Zion that makes it more worthy than any other mountain.

It must be because He chose it.  It is special because He declared it so, similar to the place of Israel as His special people.  He makes it clear that they were not chosen because they were noble and more deserving.  It may simply be that someplace had to be chosen and this is it.  I remember my first guitar.  Looking back it was just a basic, economy version but it was special in my eyes.  It had, and still has, a name.  It is still living in my brother’s house.  It was special because it was mine.

So?  We are also special.  It isn’t because we are more deserving than Joe Pagan who lives next door.  It is because we are His.  

Turn off the Radar

Proverbs 5:6 (KJV) Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

There is an aspect of this verse that some translations do not bring out.  It is found in that first word, “Lest”.  Many, possibly most, people have a built in avoidance technique that keeps them from encountering uncomfortable truths.  Think of the ways in which modern automobiles have built in guidance systems.  My son has a new car that wants to do the driving for him.  When he is in his geek mode he delights in a car that slows down automatically when he comes up behind another vehicle.  He gets a kick out of how it will stay between the lines.

Then life intervenes and he is forced to admit that he is responsible.  When it follows the off ramp that he did not want to use it presents a problem.  When it jams on the breaks for no discernible reason he ends up in panic mode.  There is a price to be paid for going on automatic.

Too often people prefer to turn off the sensitivity they have built in to the things of God.  In this verse we have someone who is working to avoid thinking about the consequences that her choices deliver.  She doesn’t want to know.  That will not remove the wall she is heading for.

So?  Pay attention.  God offers guidance but you have the ability to ignore it.  Remember that there are results you can expect depending on your choices.  You can label them rewards or consequences but they will come.  

Watch the Twist

Proverbs 4:5 (KJV) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

I was confused by the word “decline” in the KJV.  The NASB has “turn away”.  So I did a little digging and found that one of the possible meanings of the Hebrew is to twist or warp.

It does not do any good to read truth if you forget it.  Even worse is the way in which we can take clear statements and twist them to fit in our personal agenda or belief system.  How many teachers and preachers take the Bible and pervert it for their own agenda?  More than I would like to admit.  Sometimes it is relatively harmless and other times it does major damage.

So?  Read for yourself.  Does the preacher give you a text for the sermon?  Read it yourself.  Does the author tell you, “The Bible says”?  Look it up.  God offers wisdom but even gold coins can be clipped and debased.  

Heavenly Housing

Psalm 84:4 (KJV) Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

On the first reading level this is a wonderful thought.  The idea of dwelling in God’s house gives a great deal of fulfillment.  I want to live in God’s house.

But what, where or when is God’s house?

The first thought I had was the final words of the 23rd Psalm,

Psalm 23:6 (KJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

In that case it implies eternity, but the implication of the verse is that it is now.  That makes me think of the Temple as God’s house but it would not be big enough for all of us.

My final thought is that this might be a synonym for the kingdom of God which is proclaimed in the NT.

So?  However I interpret it is a blessing.  The implication is that we exist in the presence of God. 

Library Cards

Proverbs 2:5 (KJV) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

One of the great attributes of our present culture is access to libraries.  They come in differing sizes and content but they offer access to worlds of information that were not always available to the masses.  Unfortunately there are problems.

Many people do not have library cards.  There is no excuse.  They are free.  Some communities require you to live in the city but there are options.  I have five cards and only one of them is strict about residency.  Which brings me to this verse and chapter.

This chapter is full of promises about God meeting the seeker and supplying understanding and knowledge.  That is specific to this verse but broader in the context.  After I read I went back and scanned, looking for mention of limitations.  There was nothing about the law or Israel specifically.  That means I am free to assume that the offer of meeting us depends on whether we are seeking the God of the universe or walking our own path.

So?  God reaches out to everyone.  His library card is available to anyone who seeks Him.  Get yours today if you have not already applied.  

Wake Up Reading

Psalm 82:2 (KJV) How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

My first reading of this chapter had me pausing here and asking if this writer were accusing God of being unjust.  I had to read the entire Psalm before I finally realized, on looking back, that this was God talking to people who were in charge of judging wisely.

Leaders who suck the life blood out of people are not a new phenomenon.  We tend to be locked into our own daily lives and forget that history has a witness of this kind of thing.  Does God approve?  Of course, not.  It is not particularly comforting when I see things falling apart, but I do believe that in the end, God will make these people pay for their arrogance and self-centeredness.

So?  We need to pray for our leaders.  We need to pray for their salvation.  We need to pray for their repentance.  God will take care of the punishment.  That is on Him.