Ignoring the Obvious

(Pro 11:5 KJV)  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

For today I want you to ignore the different words used to describe how well this believer was doing the job of obedience.  What struck me today, starting in this verse, was the constant emphasis that we make choices in the direction our life will go.  The decisions are described in different ways but they all have the understanding that we have choices and we decide whether we are going to go God’s way or Satan’s way.  There is also the implication that the direction you chose has results in your life and the after life.

So?  If you are coasting and keep finding yourself saying, “Of well, I am saved by grace” then might I suggest that you do a little deeper reading about what the Christian life is all about.  I will not judge you.  Do it yourself.  Don’t get hung up on the letter of the law but ask yourself are you using Ephesian 2:8 as an excuse to ignore Ephesians 2:10. 

Cheap Lessons

(Pro 10:13 KJV)  In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

As I get older I find that I am getting more frequent in stupid moves.  About a year a go I fell twice in a week, or maybe I should say tripped.  There was nothing beyond my ability to deal with except I wasn’t paying attention.  I find that when I set a cup down I sometimes miss the coaster and knock things over with my gestures.  None of these things are different than when I was younger except for the frequency.  I think that the pain from hitting my head on a cupboard I left over or the embarrassment of spilling my soup down my shirt are probably ways in which God tries to apply the “rod” (7626) to us older folks.

Each event reminds me that I need to pay more attention.  I can’t do things on auto-pilot any more.  The parallel to our spiritual lives should be obvious.

So?  Be grateful for the kind of reminders that don’t do any real damage except to our ego and sense of being in control.  The learning never stops. 

Value of Repetition

(Pro 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

One of the benefits of reading through Proverbs every month is the repetition.  This verse is one that is often quoted and almost as often ignored.  It is one that would bear meditating on every day.  It reminds us of the fearsome, awesome, nature of the Lord.  

So?  Join me in enjoying a bit of reminder.

Me First Project

(Pro 8:16 KJV)  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

One of the most pointless topics of discussion is what is wrong with our country and what do we do about it.  This has been a focus of debate since at least the Tower of Babel.  There are many things that could be done.  There are exactly as many that will not be.  What is missing is wisdom.  Here we have mention of princes, nobles and judges.  None of them has a clue.  All think they have the answer.  Does it remind you of today?

So?  Do what you can to reform the world.  I would not want to dissuade you.  More important, while you are at it is to join me in the Me First Project.  That isn’t to get our goodies first but to start working on our own grasp of wisdom and ability to hear the direction of the Lord. 

Set the Alarm

(Pro 7:3 KJV)  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

This morning I was thinking about the benefit of rules and schedules.  It has to do with a dressing over a suture I received to deal with some skin cancer.  It is all very routine and I have been through the ritual before.  One of the directions was to not remove the bandages or get them wet for 48 hours.  Am I being legalistic if I actually wait 48 hours instead of taking them off at 47?  Am I in bondage to arbitrary deadlines?  Am I giving up my freedom of choice?  In my heart I know it would not make any difference but in my mind I understand that once you start moving the goal post the game becomes impossible.  Victory becomes meaningless.  If there was a compelling need I would ignore the 48 hour line.  In the absence it is a matter of discipline.  

I think that is one of the benefits of the instructions of this verse.  It makes it easier to remember things that we might forget and harder to forget what we don’t want to remember.  There is no merit of grace in having a verse of scripture tied to your wrist.  The point is to read it and apply it.  It is a merit of the alarm on your bedside clock.

So?  Look for all the helps you can get.  Don’t forget the goal.

Feigned Submission

(Pro 6:12-15 KJV)  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

In my reading I noticed a parallel between Psalms 66 and this verse through at least verse 14.  The verse in Psalms that got my attention misses the point if you are reading the KJV.

(Psa 66:3 KJV)  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

That sounds good but read the NASB,

(Psa 66:3 NAS77) Say to God, "How awesome are Thy works! Because of the greatness of Thy power Thine enemies will give feigned obedience to Thee.

The KJV word “submit” (3584) is “feigned” in the NASB.  The word does mean to submit but with a spirit of deception.  This is the submission of the traitor or spy.  This is the person who comes to church and testifies gloriously and then steals out of the offering plate.  As you look through the four verses you see a public persona and a private goal that are totally opposed.

First we need to examine ourselves and make sure we are not falling into this kind of thing.  It is easy to be critical of others in areas where we are weak.  In fact, I think that is fairly common.

Then we need to keep our radar on.  Paul warned the church in Ephesus to be alert for wolves in their midst.  We need to have the same awareness.

So?  Check to make sure your spiritual engines are not in neutral.  Part of having free will is a responsibility to be vigilant. 

That Crack in the Sidewalk

(Pro 5:22 KJV)  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Today this brought to mind what some might consider a tangent but I think it applies.  Am I the only person who tends to blame others for my own failures?  It could be as general an excuse as blaming the government.  It could be as silly as blaming the dog, and I don’t have a dog.  I know that when I trip over something I glare at the offending spot even if I can’t see what made me stumble.  It obviously couldn’t be my clumsiness.  

I glory in the knowledge that God is patient.  The Bible says God is love.  The first quality listed in the definition of love is patience.  When I look at my life I am amazed at the patience God has for me as well as the rest of the world.

So?  Rejoice in God’s patience but don’t take it for granted.  We are expected to grow in grace.  If it was good enough for Jesus as a child it is good enough for us.