(Proverbs 28:2 KJV) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
A “land” (776) is “prolonged” (endures NASB) (748) by the force of a few spiritual people. This makes me think of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah. If there had just been a few people who were righteous, the city could have been saved in spite of the population. Is it possible that a few believers can keep America from going down the drain?
Someone once said, and it has been often repeated, that if God does not punish America then He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. Who are the “princes” (8269) of our country and what direction are they leading? Are the “princes” of entertainment leading us toward righteousness or “transgression” (6588)? Are the “princes” of education leading us toward truth or delusion? Are the “princes” of politics leading us toward the rule of law or the tyranny of the elites? Are the “princes” of the church leading us toward God or toward ego?
So? Be salt. Be light. Be that one in the crowd who has not bent your knee to Baal. It may not be pleasant but it is necessary.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
Forsaken Friends
(Proverbs 27:10 KJV) Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
Friendship. How do you define it? When does someone cross the line from being an acquaintance to being a friend? These are questions I have trouble answering. I feel at times that I “forsake” (5800a) people who were once “friends” (7453).
I have one friend, going through a hard time, who told me not to come by any more. How long do I respect that wish? I have another that has gradually drifted away because we don’t have much in common any more. I am an introvert. I don’t need to be with people. This is telling me that I need to be what I am called to be, not what I feel like. I hate phones. I need to make calls in spite of that. There is a whole world of action I need to take.
So? Check to see if it is an issue for you. Someone might need you.
Friendship. How do you define it? When does someone cross the line from being an acquaintance to being a friend? These are questions I have trouble answering. I feel at times that I “forsake” (5800a) people who were once “friends” (7453).
I have one friend, going through a hard time, who told me not to come by any more. How long do I respect that wish? I have another that has gradually drifted away because we don’t have much in common any more. I am an introvert. I don’t need to be with people. This is telling me that I need to be what I am called to be, not what I feel like. I hate phones. I need to make calls in spite of that. There is a whole world of action I need to take.
So? Check to see if it is an issue for you. Someone might need you.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Creative Couch Potatoes
(Proverbs 26:13 KJV) The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
We see here some hints of the lazy character. First, The lazy man builds his life on rumor and fear. I think it can be assumed that there is no lion. This couch potato has simply heard rumors of a lion or remembers a time when there was a lion and the mere thought of the possibility fills him with dread; and gives him excuses.
Second, the lazy man can be very creative. How many of us would think of this one. “I can’t mow the lawn because there is a lion in the back yard.” “I can’t clean the garage because there is a bear and her cubs hiding in the boxes.”
So? Do we make excuses? I am not overcome by fear but simple dread can cause me to put things off. And I can be very creative in my logic. Am I the only one?
We see here some hints of the lazy character. First, The lazy man builds his life on rumor and fear. I think it can be assumed that there is no lion. This couch potato has simply heard rumors of a lion or remembers a time when there was a lion and the mere thought of the possibility fills him with dread; and gives him excuses.
Second, the lazy man can be very creative. How many of us would think of this one. “I can’t mow the lawn because there is a lion in the back yard.” “I can’t clean the garage because there is a bear and her cubs hiding in the boxes.”
So? Do we make excuses? I am not overcome by fear but simple dread can cause me to put things off. And I can be very creative in my logic. Am I the only one?
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Response Not Repartee
(Proverbs 25:8 KJV) Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
It is hard to find the balance between standing up and being counted and waiting for the right moment. I would imagine that we tend to err one way or the other based on our personalities. The point being made here is to wait for the right moment. If you speak out and are hammered for it, you know you messed up. If you remain silent you often don’t know. You don’t get any feedback.
When I remain quiet I sometimes torture myself with comments I could have made. The problem is that they are imagination, not reality. One other place that comes to mind recommends responding instead of being aggressive.
It is hard to find the balance between standing up and being counted and waiting for the right moment. I would imagine that we tend to err one way or the other based on our personalities. The point being made here is to wait for the right moment. If you speak out and are hammered for it, you know you messed up. If you remain silent you often don’t know. You don’t get any feedback.
When I remain quiet I sometimes torture myself with comments I could have made. The problem is that they are imagination, not reality. One other place that comes to mind recommends responding instead of being aggressive.
(1 Peter 3:15 KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:So? Be ready to answer questions. Keep a good attitude. Be very leery of going on the attack.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Seeds for the Just War Theory
(Proverbs 24:17 KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
How is a Bible believing Christian to deal with the reality of war and violence in our world? Currently terrorism is much on our minds. Earlier in this chapter we find reference to war.
Christians are sometimes compelled to fight but we cannot do so with hatred in our hearts. We have enemies but we must still want the best for them. Pagans do not understand that concept. The idea of limited war is a modern concept. It was demonstrated at the end of World War II where the United States set about rebuilding its previous enemies. To some it seems impossible to love our enemies but that is our standard.
So? Whether it is day to day contact with those who hate us or a world war, we are expected to act at a higher level that non-believers. No one ever said it would be easy.
How is a Bible believing Christian to deal with the reality of war and violence in our world? Currently terrorism is much on our minds. Earlier in this chapter we find reference to war.
(Proverbs 24:6 KJV) For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.That makes it clear that war may at times be necessary. Verse 17 would be part of the ideas of Just War Theory.
Christians are sometimes compelled to fight but we cannot do so with hatred in our hearts. We have enemies but we must still want the best for them. Pagans do not understand that concept. The idea of limited war is a modern concept. It was demonstrated at the end of World War II where the United States set about rebuilding its previous enemies. To some it seems impossible to love our enemies but that is our standard.
So? Whether it is day to day contact with those who hate us or a world war, we are expected to act at a higher level that non-believers. No one ever said it would be easy.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Be Glad
(Proverbs 23:25 KJV) Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
The family is under attack in contemporary America. Easy divorce. Government checks to pregnant women instead of marriage. Gay marriage. Domestic partnerships. Sit coms that mock fathers and make children the dispensers of wisdom. Need I go on.
And we are smiling and nodding as we listen to our spiritual headphones. We seem to be blanking it out. Here we see the family in all its glory. Mothers and fathers are to rejoice in their children, not focus on developing their career paths. There is a rightness about family. It is the Biblical way.
So? Don’t rush out and get married because it is a good thing. That is twice true if you are already married. Don’t swallow the screeds about it being a trap and a dead end street. Family will never be replaced by social media or sports bars.
The family is under attack in contemporary America. Easy divorce. Government checks to pregnant women instead of marriage. Gay marriage. Domestic partnerships. Sit coms that mock fathers and make children the dispensers of wisdom. Need I go on.
And we are smiling and nodding as we listen to our spiritual headphones. We seem to be blanking it out. Here we see the family in all its glory. Mothers and fathers are to rejoice in their children, not focus on developing their career paths. There is a rightness about family. It is the Biblical way.
So? Don’t rush out and get married because it is a good thing. That is twice true if you are already married. Don’t swallow the screeds about it being a trap and a dead end street. Family will never be replaced by social media or sports bars.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Legal Theft
(Proverbs 22:23 KJV) For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
In the NASB you have to go to the marginal reading to get the parallel that the KJV has out in the open. The KJV says that God will “spoil” (6906) those who “spoil” the poor. The NASB uses two words in English, “take” and “rob”, to convey the same idea.
There are many ways to rob people. Some are legal. You can write a contract that takes advantage of the unwary. You can establish schools that don’t teach. You can offer welfare programs that weaken instead of strengthen. You can promise and then squirm out on a technicality.
As God’s children we are not allowed to take that route. If people are struggling we are to be supportive not a big sucking sound on their lives. Jesus expressed it in the positive and the negative. The negative seems more in tune with this verse.
In the NASB you have to go to the marginal reading to get the parallel that the KJV has out in the open. The KJV says that God will “spoil” (6906) those who “spoil” the poor. The NASB uses two words in English, “take” and “rob”, to convey the same idea.
There are many ways to rob people. Some are legal. You can write a contract that takes advantage of the unwary. You can establish schools that don’t teach. You can offer welfare programs that weaken instead of strengthen. You can promise and then squirm out on a technicality.
As God’s children we are not allowed to take that route. If people are struggling we are to be supportive not a big sucking sound on their lives. Jesus expressed it in the positive and the negative. The negative seems more in tune with this verse.
(Matthew 25:45 KJV) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.So? Go forth and do good. Do it because God has worked a miracle in your life and you want to glorify Him, not because you are keeping score.
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