(Pro 28:18 KJV) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
I like both the KJV and the NASB here. One uses “uprightly” (8549) and “saved” (3467). The other uses “blamelessly” and “delivered.” I like them because both offer hope and promise.
The hope comes in the potential for my behavior. It is possible for me to live in a righteous, moral way. It is possible for me to live as a child of God among a wicked and perverse generation. We don’t do it in our own strength, true, but no one is saying we do. At least no one here is saying that. But God gives the power with the promise. Walk tall. Walk righteous.
The promise is in salvation. We will be saved. We will be delivered. That is an assurance that we have as we go to work. We might wonder if our job will be eliminated. We might wonder if our health insurance will be cancelled. We have a lot of unknowns. In the midst of that we have the assurance.
So? You face different challenges than I do today in the details. You walk in the same path I do in the big picture. Walk tall. Walk righteous. God will deliver.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Hay Rots
(Pro 27:25 KJV) The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
Change is a part of life. We get so used to how things are that we forget that what worked yesterday may not work today.
Then again, it might work better.
The thing that is hard for us is telling what is old “grass” (2682) and what is “new growth” (1877). The key word here is translated in a strange way in the KJV. It says “appeareth.” The NASB says “disappears.” They would seem to be opposites. What gives? The concept of the word is to uncover or remove. Maybe “exposed” might be a good word for this.
In time the elements of our lives become exposed. They are revealed because all the trappings eventually fade away and the real is revealed. This is where we are forced to make choices. Take music since that can offend just about everyone. Look through an old hymnal. You will find stuff that hasn’t been sung anywhere since it was written. You will also find treasures that are still being recorded. The same is true about the new stuff. Most of it will fade away quicker than the hair style of the worship leader.
So? Use discernment. Work to preserve that which is worthy. Don’t get too upset when the shallow and insipid fades away.
Change is a part of life. We get so used to how things are that we forget that what worked yesterday may not work today.
Then again, it might work better.
The thing that is hard for us is telling what is old “grass” (2682) and what is “new growth” (1877). The key word here is translated in a strange way in the KJV. It says “appeareth.” The NASB says “disappears.” They would seem to be opposites. What gives? The concept of the word is to uncover or remove. Maybe “exposed” might be a good word for this.
In time the elements of our lives become exposed. They are revealed because all the trappings eventually fade away and the real is revealed. This is where we are forced to make choices. Take music since that can offend just about everyone. Look through an old hymnal. You will find stuff that hasn’t been sung anywhere since it was written. You will also find treasures that are still being recorded. The same is true about the new stuff. Most of it will fade away quicker than the hair style of the worship leader.
So? Use discernment. Work to preserve that which is worthy. Don’t get too upset when the shallow and insipid fades away.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
How Do We Respond?
(Pro 26:3 KJV) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
What will it take for you to obey? Maybe you don’t have trouble with it. That is good but it is much more common for people to find ways around what God wants for us. Solomon picks three common sights that people in his day would see. Each one is doing the bidding of someone else. Only the ruling classes could afford horses. Only the comfortable could support a donkey. Only the most desperate would hire a fool. All needed to be controlled. None were of use when left to their own devises.
We don’t see it in this chapter but a more common title for the obedient is son or faithful servant. Even they need correction at times.
So? Has God been trying to get your attention? Ask yourself if you are responding like a horse, a donkey, a fool or an obedient child. The day will come when Satan and his followers will be cast into the lake of fire. I like to think that correction now is better than destruction then.
What will it take for you to obey? Maybe you don’t have trouble with it. That is good but it is much more common for people to find ways around what God wants for us. Solomon picks three common sights that people in his day would see. Each one is doing the bidding of someone else. Only the ruling classes could afford horses. Only the comfortable could support a donkey. Only the most desperate would hire a fool. All needed to be controlled. None were of use when left to their own devises.
We don’t see it in this chapter but a more common title for the obedient is son or faithful servant. Even they need correction at times.
So? Has God been trying to get your attention? Ask yourself if you are responding like a horse, a donkey, a fool or an obedient child. The day will come when Satan and his followers will be cast into the lake of fire. I like to think that correction now is better than destruction then.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
What? A Coincidence?
(Pro 25:28 KJV) He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
I don’t know where I first heard it but a bit of wisdom is “It is amazing how many coincidences there are when God is involved.” It happened again today. I was having a hard time focusing. Distractions were fast and furious. I was on the verge of giving up but I remembered a verse I wrote about a few days ago about ruling our “spirit” (7307). I couldn’t find it so I read the chapter in Proverbs for today and look what was in the last verse with a cross reference to Proverbs 16:32.
Coincidence?
Lessons are repeated because we need to be reminded.
So? Keep reading. Don’t get irritated because things are repeated in the word or the pulpit. At least consider the thought that you need to hear it again.
I don’t know where I first heard it but a bit of wisdom is “It is amazing how many coincidences there are when God is involved.” It happened again today. I was having a hard time focusing. Distractions were fast and furious. I was on the verge of giving up but I remembered a verse I wrote about a few days ago about ruling our “spirit” (7307). I couldn’t find it so I read the chapter in Proverbs for today and look what was in the last verse with a cross reference to Proverbs 16:32.
Coincidence?
Lessons are repeated because we need to be reminded.
So? Keep reading. Don’t get irritated because things are repeated in the word or the pulpit. At least consider the thought that you need to hear it again.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Reject Foolishness
(Pro 24:7 KJV) Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Some people will never be able to understand the “wisdom” (2451) of God. Such a person is described as a “fool” (191). It kind of brings to mind the chicken and the egg question. Which comes first?
The definition of fool is interesting. It involves despising wisdom, mocking when guilty, being quarrelsome and licentious. That is a good description of the typical celebrity or politician. It should not describe the people of God.
So? Does wisdom appeal to you? The problem isn’t with the wisdom. Fortunately the fool can be cured. Unfortunately he doesn’t want to be.
Some people will never be able to understand the “wisdom” (2451) of God. Such a person is described as a “fool” (191). It kind of brings to mind the chicken and the egg question. Which comes first?
The definition of fool is interesting. It involves despising wisdom, mocking when guilty, being quarrelsome and licentious. That is a good description of the typical celebrity or politician. It should not describe the people of God.
So? Does wisdom appeal to you? The problem isn’t with the wisdom. Fortunately the fool can be cured. Unfortunately he doesn’t want to be.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Own It
(Pro 23:12 KJV) Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
“Instruction” (Discipline NASB) (4148) is a good thing. It is a focus of Proverbs. The Hebrew word is used 50 times in the OT. At least 30 of them are in Proverbs. The most common translation in the KJV is “instruction.” Notice though that later in the verse it talks about “knowledge” (1847). What is the difference?
Evidently you can get knowledge from listening but this instruction/discipline has to be tied to the heart. We might talk about internalizing the data or owning it. There is an idea of correction and chastening in this word. It is not easy to accept some teachings. The most important are often the hardest because they make us change how we act and set our priorities.
So? When you come to worship and study make sure that your heart is ready to receive what is going to be offered. Two people can attend the same event. One comes away profoundly touched, the other lightly entertained. One engaged the heart, the other the ears.
“Instruction” (Discipline NASB) (4148) is a good thing. It is a focus of Proverbs. The Hebrew word is used 50 times in the OT. At least 30 of them are in Proverbs. The most common translation in the KJV is “instruction.” Notice though that later in the verse it talks about “knowledge” (1847). What is the difference?
Evidently you can get knowledge from listening but this instruction/discipline has to be tied to the heart. We might talk about internalizing the data or owning it. There is an idea of correction and chastening in this word. It is not easy to accept some teachings. The most important are often the hardest because they make us change how we act and set our priorities.
So? When you come to worship and study make sure that your heart is ready to receive what is going to be offered. Two people can attend the same event. One comes away profoundly touched, the other lightly entertained. One engaged the heart, the other the ears.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
God Preserves
(Pro 22:12 KJV) The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
God must have a role in the ongoing process of learning. He will “preserve” (5341) “knowledge” (1847). I think this could be looked at as a promise concerning the integrity of our Bibles. Think of all the different hands over the years that have been involved in preserving and translating the Greek and Hebrew texts. If we do not believe that the HS has a constant hand in preserving the Word, we could have some real issues.
Christians believe that scripture is inspired, or “God breathed.” We believe that the original manuscripts were crafted by God and said exactly what He wanted them to say. The task of scholars and translators is to put into our native language the thoughts that originally came from God in Hebrew and Greek. I also believe that the preservation of the text has been overseen by God. All translators and translations are not inspired. Some are heretical. The point I want to make is that well trained, believing, spirit filled scholars are also guided by the Holy Spirit.
So? Find a solid translation and stick with it. Enjoy the paraphrases but don’t make them your standard fare. Trust the original. Have confidence in the translation. Anticipate how the Holy Spirit will teach.
God must have a role in the ongoing process of learning. He will “preserve” (5341) “knowledge” (1847). I think this could be looked at as a promise concerning the integrity of our Bibles. Think of all the different hands over the years that have been involved in preserving and translating the Greek and Hebrew texts. If we do not believe that the HS has a constant hand in preserving the Word, we could have some real issues.
Christians believe that scripture is inspired, or “God breathed.” We believe that the original manuscripts were crafted by God and said exactly what He wanted them to say. The task of scholars and translators is to put into our native language the thoughts that originally came from God in Hebrew and Greek. I also believe that the preservation of the text has been overseen by God. All translators and translations are not inspired. Some are heretical. The point I want to make is that well trained, believing, spirit filled scholars are also guided by the Holy Spirit.
So? Find a solid translation and stick with it. Enjoy the paraphrases but don’t make them your standard fare. Trust the original. Have confidence in the translation. Anticipate how the Holy Spirit will teach.
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