Proverbs 11:6 - In Everything, Go Straight

Proverbs 11:6

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by [their own] greed. 

Message: In everything, go straight

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: I heard the other day that Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs. I have been on a march to study Proverbs 10-24 as every verse is a different Proverb. It is amazing to think about the fact that he wrote all of these and God in his purpose believes each is important. The last lesson I did had a big impact on me in regards to the idea of living in a righteous manner. It helped me see that each of these statements are goals. They can not be accomplished all of the time and I suppose that is a little freeing. I am not expected to be perfect. I follow these proverbs because it makes life better and it also makes the trials of life easier to go through. Going through them trusting God has to be good for me. 

I think about the people I like to read, the ones that have commentaries on these verses, written in the 1800s often, prior to computers. Those individuals must have soaked themselves in the reading of these verses. And the reading of God's word. For they all pull up references in their comments. They knew God's word. It was supremely valuable to them. 

This verse and the previous have the same idea as Matthew Henry (1662-1714) states of verses 5 and 6, "The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment." The idea is so simple. Wickedness is dangerous and sinning has a punishment. Conversely, righteousness is good and rewarding as it is practiced. 

I also look today at "Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary" by Carl Friedrich Keil (1807-1888) – German Lutheran scholar, strong in Hebrew grammar and exegesis and Franz Delitzsch (1813-1890) – German Lutheran theologian, famous for Hebrew scholarship and interest in Jewish-Christian dialogue. For this verse they state:

6 The rectitude of the upright saveth them,

   And in their own covetousness are the faithless taken.

The integrity of those who go straight forward and straight through, without permitting themselves to turn aside on crooked ways, delivers them from the snares which are laid for them, the dangers they encounter; while, on the contrary, the faithless, though they mask their intentions ever so cunningly, are ensnared in their passionate covetousness: the mask is removed, they are convicted, and are caught and lost.

As in the last verse, the righteousness of a person will smooth his way and not permit them to walk crooked and be delivered from snares (trap that catches an animal) that are laid before them. This righteousness needs to transcend all of life, encompassing all of my choices and all that I do. I think of verses like, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9). Minor corruption or minor detours can have detrimental effects. And I Peter 5:8, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." There is a constant desire for Satan to lure God's people off their path. It is almost like we need to prepare ourselves always to be tempted to fall off course. 

I feel it is often sad how much we can criticize and critique and judge those that have gotten off track, that have fallen into sin. I have a family member that came forward to confess his sin and his going off track. It has been deemed an act of betrayal. To me at the heart of the sin was covetousness - wanting something others have and perhaps being scared that you would not get what you were hoping for. And now that one act has resulted in a spiral downward - impacting a wedding, ongoing relationship, and losing his job. It breaks my heart to watch the unraveling. And it is hard because the sin he committed he has not committed again. He has stopped. And yet, that sin has now resulted in a violent outburst that occurs at times. I just feel like his flesh is screaming out at times through those outbursts simply with a desire to be loved and accepted and wanted. 

So one hand we need to be careful, on the alert, on our guard at all times. But I really believe we need to always be forgiving and with a desire to heal and work past and improve. Yes, we can get off course and over time can even train ourselves in poor behavior. But we need to forgive. 

Prayer: Lord, I think you for these truths, to live righteously, and to realize that it is so easy to get off track. I see this in my life. Sometimes there is one need I don't get and because of that I start to veer off course - and fall into some of the sins that darken me because of anger and unmet expectations. Lord, continue to train me to choose wisely and to focus on righteousness throughout my life, in all my ways - reading, watching TV, what I view online, listen to and think about. Lord, I am susceptible to sin. I see it every day. And there are some things that cause more havoc in my life than other things. Help me. And help those around me. Help my family member that is spiraling down. Help him to rise up again and manage his life and find hope in his days. Give us hope Lord, not simply that things we don't want to happen won't happen, but center us on the hope of the riches you have in store for us. Let me hope that tomorrow is smooth and my roads are not crooked and the paths I walk on are straight. Center me on those things that honor and glorify You. Help me God and help those around me. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 10:17-27 - A King in Hiding

I Samuel 10:17-27 

Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, "Has this man come here yet?" So the Lord said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage." (verse 21-22)

Message: A King in Hiding

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 10 began with Saul being anointed by Samuel with a flask of oil. His father had placed him on a trail to find donkeys and Saul lets him know where the donkey reside. Saul is set aside for the Lord's work with the Lord choosing him, changing his heart, being with him, and the Spirit of God coming upon him mightily. And yet when his uncle appears he says nothing and only mentions the donkey. Back in I Samuel 9 in describing Saul he is "a choice and handsome man." Nothing else is mentioned. He has been given much by the Lord and yet he doesn't seem to be stepping up to this calling. 

Now in verse 17 Samuel speaks to the people at Mizpah (meaning Watchtower). This is the city in which Saul is anointed and is the a part of the territory of Benjamin. Samuel has a word of the sons of Israel. What God has done: brought out of Egypt, delivered them. Their response: rejecting God today asking to have their own king of their choice. 

Verse 20 says, "Then Samuel brought all the tribes near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot." In verse 18 Samuel speaks to the "sons of Israel." When the Lord speaks to His people, it is to the sons of Israel or God's chosen people which is the descendants of Jacob that became the nation of Israel - God's chosen people - the 12 tribes. The contrast here is one of choosing. One people are chosen versus those chosen by lot. The Jews are the chosen one's, but everyone else is by lot. And this is Saul's choosing - by lot. And yet in verse 21, "he could not be found" as he was (in verse 22) "hiding himself by the baggage (stuff)." He had to be taken from there to stand among the people and he was seen to be taller than anyone else. Samuel states this is the one the Lord has chosen (by lot) and no one is like him. 

And yet as Samuel then identifies in the charter that Saul is the man to lead them, then people start to wonder if that is possible or question the choice. 

Today's passage is the move from Saul being first chosen in private and now he is presented before the people publicly. 

The people have received what they wanted - not wanting someone the Lord chooses, but instead someone from among the people. God's choice is seen to be by lot then rather than chosen. And upon that announcement, Saul can't be found. He has a big responsibility and while he is tall in stature he is hiding and not ready it would seem to stand out in front and lead. But Samuel writes it in the charter. It is decreed. 

Summary: Saul had been chosen by God and presented before the people and yet at this choosing, Saul cannot be found and appears to be hiding.

Promise: If God has called us, he will equip us and we not hide in fear. 

Prayer: It is good to have this time in Your Word Lord. Thank you for the way You choose and then showing me the contrast for that, by lot. Still a choice but falling somewhat where it falls to show us the difference. We are your chosen ones. I am so fortunate to be of this chosen ones. I pray taht more would be chosen. People need you and pray that they would recognize this calling. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:5 - Staying on the Path

Proverbs 11:5

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 

Message: Staying on the Path

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: 

NLT - The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 

KJV - The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

I love BibleHub and reading the commentaries by individuals from the 19th century. One of which is Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers by Charles John Elicott (1819-1905). He was not a minister, but instead a leader of churches in England. He edited this commentary, it written by various writers. Proverbs written by Rev. J. W. Nutt, M.A. (Late Fellow of All Souls’ College, Oxford; I can't find anything on Rev. Nutt). He writes, 

"Shall direct his way.—Or, make smooth, as Proverbs 3:6. The just man by his exact performance of all duty both towards God and man receives more and more light, and therefore continually sees more clearly how to avoid the difficulties that beset his path. The wicked darkens his conscience more and more by the commission of evil, till he stumbles as in the night (John 11:9), and at last falls, and rises not again."

I was speaking to someone recently about our quest for good works and she commented that she was on a quest to be perfect. I remarked that perfection is not possible because we have already erred and so any sin makes us not perfect, but I still, by my God-given conscience, when I error, recognize it and don't want to do it again. 

When I read this verse and all of the verses in this book that state something similar to today, namely "The righteousness of the blameless" I realize that no one is righteous (Psalm 14:1; Romans 3:10).  There is a standard and I have not met it. That is understood, but I can still read texts and Solomon can still write these texts in a utopian manner. It can still present the goal even if it is not attainable. What I see from it is glimpses of attainment in my life. 

Rev J.W. Nutt shows that this righteous behavior directs my way. Thus, living in a righteous manner shall direct my way and this same idea is seen in Proverbs 3:6 which says, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Thus, our life is to be lived righteously I think in a 'more often than not' manner. We pursue a goal while understanding that our nature prevents us from achieving total attainment. God made us. In us he called us (as well as all that He had created) good (Genesis 1:31) prior to sin. It is only in God we are good and only ever because of Him that we attain good in our life. We are enticed always away from this good by Satan and then we start to view our desire to not be good and we choose to repeat it - to not seek righteousness because we want to instead trust in our way. But God is directing us back and His word serves as a reminder and also our conscience which He gave us. 

Satan again does not make us sin, but directs us away from God. In my conversations with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I sense in their thinking that Jesus merely fills in the gap. That man through his effort and good works in persevering till the end does his part to merit God's acceptance which results in Heaven and then Jesus fills in the gap between our best and God's perfection. But Jesus is not simply a filler-in of the gap. The sin makes us imperfect completely and so with any sin we are no longer blameless. Jesus covers the sin so that God only sees Jesus perfection. God is not looking for a handshake with man doing his part and Jesus doing His part. No. "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." And Jesus said "it is finished" (John 19:30). 

The words from Rev. JW Nutt above are compelling. He says, "The just man by his exact performance of all duty both towards God and man receives more and more light, and therefore continually sees more clearly how to avoid the difficulties that beset his path." God makes us just through the work of Jesus. We are made righteous. The path we are walking on has difficulties, drawing us away. Satan draws us away. But the just man has an opportunity to listen to God, be directed by His Spirit and respond by continuing to choose God and in so doing love man and along the way this is reinforced and reinforced so that we avoid the difficulties of life. Life is difficult. Life is a trial. We are beset by trials and difficulties, but we can seek God and serve others and in that process we avoid the difficulties which come our way. 

Maybe the first part could read, "The right living toward God and man by the person made just by God will make that person avoid the difficulties on their walking path." 

I have never noticed that each of these verses is a promise. It spells out a condition and a result. 

In contrast, the 2nd part of this verse states, "But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness." And JW Nutt states, "The wicked darkens his conscience more and more by the commission of evil, till he stumbles as in the night (John 11:10), and at last falls, and rises not again." The wicked or the non-just people darken their conscience. Romans 2:15 states that God has written the law in our hearts and the conscience bears witness. The conscience directs us to right living, away from wrong living. Here, the wicked have a darkened conscience. The light to direct them to righteous living has been darkened. And it is darkened as we commit more and more evil. This is the problem of evil. Over time, it darkens our conscience. I Timothy 4:2 instructs us that there are those that have a seared conscience. Their continual choosing of evil sears their ability to choose between two differences. And by searing it can happen quickly. 

John 11:9-10 states, "Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him." Jesus seems to be saying that once we move to the night, darkness descends and it is harder to see what you are doing and therefore you can't see that you are working incorrectly. One becomes blinded in a way. In darkness, one might stumble and get off course. Jesus in these words seems to be going beyond the sun, but to a light from Him that is not present. Without God leading the way and directing our path, smoothing our way, keeping us on the right path by us following His standards of good living - we will drift. We will drift off the path. 

Prayer: Lord God, you are Holy. You are perfect, blameless, righteous. I have this as my goal but I am a sinner and cannot obtain this. Thank you for continuing to teach me and helping me understand how I live. I do pray that in the moments of life, as I am training myself and seeing myself live, that I would respond in a way that honors You. That anger would be far from me. I continue to converse and talk to people and pray that through my words that you give me that people can be helped. I pray for my kids - thanking You for them and the privilege I have to be their father. I pray that they would learn these lessons as well and work to avoid pitfalls and stay on the path. That they would recognize how they can train themselves properly. Lord, again, thank you for this lesson on sin. Help me to reinforce righteousness throughout my life. I can never be blameless for sin is present. Thank you for saving me out of the consequence of sin, out of death and being separated from you. Jesus, you are Lord at your birth and God you have always wanted me to be with you forever in paradise. Keep drawing many more to You God. And then now and tomorrow show me your light and let me walk moment by moment in that light. Amen. 

 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 10:1-16 - The Anointing of Saul

I Samuel 10:1-16

Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?" 

Message: The Anointing of Saul

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Saul has arrived in the land of Zuph, searching for donkeys that his father told him to find. In Zuph he wants to see a seer and that man ends up being Samuel. Samuel is to commission or anoint Saul as king, as directed by the Lord. These events are all part of God's plan. 

Beginning Chapter 10, verse 1, Samuel takes a flask of oil and pours it on Saul's head, anointing him as a ruler. He tells Saul where to find the donkeys. They are near Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zuph. (Note: There is a little conflict here about Rachel's tomb and whether this is a memorial site because in Genesis it mentions Rachel's burial near Bethlehem.) Samuel gives Saul further direction, specifically mentioning men at Bethel and how to recognize them as they will give him two loaves of bread. Then he will encounter a group of prophets with musical instruments. It is there that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon Saul and he will be changed. There are a lot of great things that happen to Saul, the Lord choosing him, changing his heart, being with him, and the Spirit of God coming upon him mightily. 

At the end of this section of scripture Saul's uncle comes on the scene and asks him about what all went on with the donkeys and in verse 15 says, "Tell me what Samuel said to you." But Saul's response in verse 16 was only about the donkeys and "did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom which Samuel had mentioned."  

Here this is 3,000 years ago and with an opportunity to share truth with someone and testify to all that God has done in someone's life, Saul does not. He does not share and unfortunately this can be similar to many of us, like me. After a weekend of great revelation or a good time in church sometimes I don't mention church when people ask about my weekend. Instead I seem a little ashamed by it all.  

Summary: Samuel anoints Saul with oil as Saul is still to do the will of God in humble reliance on the Spirit of God. But given the opportunity to testify of God's work, Saul hides it. 

Promise: If given the opportunity, I need to be bold and testify of the Lord's work in my life. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to never be ashamed. There was a man at the mall that felt like I did not speak always with much conviction, like I should have done a better job of asserting my beliefs. If this story really is what I say it is, then why am I not more compelling and why don't I have the urgency to deliver the message. Instead, I am more focused on other things going on in my life. Life is too complicated often or I make it that way and often I forget people. Lord, be number one in my life. Help me to prioritize you always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:4 - It's All Going to Burn

Proverbs 11:4

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But righteousness delivers from death. 

Message: It's All Going to Burn

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Our pastor on Sunday did a lesson from Proverbs on gratitude. Along the way, he explained Proverbs and the different ways the verses in this book are mentioned. Well, I am still focused on these contrasting phrases and continuing to read and walk through them.

Today, it is riches and the reminder that riches do not profit at the end or in the day of wrath. This seems to be the day of judgement. Friends and I will often say, "It is all going to burn" meaning that we really should not put our focus on wealth. The pastor's lesson on Sunday was basically the idea of giving and you will receive with verses like 11:24, "the one who scatters increases all the more" and 11:25, "the generous man will be prosperous." I studied Philippians 4 where Paul says in verse 17, "giving....increases to your account." This idea of giving will make us rich. I am not sure if that means monetary payback always, but maybe just the feeling that a person hast not been focused on wealth and accumulation, but rather in helping others and helping others is a good thing. 

In my life, I have gone from a 600 square foot one bedroom apartment to a 1300 square foot house to start a family and then to a 2050 square foot house the last 21 years now. I can't imagine going up any more. There is no need. At times, I think this house is too large. I try to not focus on accumulation. Plenty of people have needs and it makes no sense for me to have a lot and them to have a little. 

But, today the lesson is really more on the end and the day of judgment and the simple message that at the end, it really will not matter how much money you have. God will not be judging you on money accumulation, but rather on our heart and our lives and how they were lived. Ultimately, I am a sinner, saved by grace. Christ saves me because of what Christ did, not me. I understand this and believe this. I believe in God and that He is creator and this world is His and I surrender to Him. He provides me peace then to live life in a way in which life is full. Life isn't only about one thing when it comes to me and living. And from Solomon's perspective, it is righteous living. It is righteousness. 

But wealth matters. It seems that I will be judged on what I have done with my money. More and more I am having a hard time with wealth accumulation. I am struggling with this idea of having new things at times and the need for nice and pristine. We are flawed people and yet we don't want our cars to be flawed with dents. We want it all to be good, looking nice, and never a problem. And so from a money situation, I am struggling with riches, especially when there is such an imbalance in life. It is a struggle to me that people have this need to have no wants and everything is taking care of in this life. 

Everything in our life is wearing down. The car needs to be fixed. Yet, sometimes people get lucky and have a car that lasts. They don't get in accidents. We have a fridge that we bought 5 1/2 years ago. It has been great. But now, it is not working and has errors. Our bill to repair it is now approaching half of what we paid. And the concern I think is whether it will be fixed ever again. Or will we have to start over. These things happen. We don't like them. We like life to be running well, with pristine looking appliances versus accepting everything that is broken. And yet in all of that we have comfort. We have clothes to wear, food to eat, good jobs and a lot of joy with family and friends and people. 

So focus on right-living. Focus on righteousness. I review these words again. 

10:3 - The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger. 

10:6 - Blessings are on the head of the righteous. 

10:7 - The memory of the righteous is blessed.

10:11 - The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

10:16 - The wages of the righteous is life.

10:20 - The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver.

10:21 - The lips of the righteous feed many. 

10:24 - The desire of the righteous will be granted. 

10:25 - The righteous has an everlasting foundation. 

10:28 - The hope of the righteous is gladness.

10:30 - The righteous will never be shaken.

10:31 - The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom. 

10:32 - The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable. 

And now 11:4 - Righteousness delivers from death. 

Rather than being rich, what matters is righteousness for that delivers from death. 

And this is my quest still, righteousness.

Summary: O God, I want to be this type of person. A righteous person. That's what I want. I want to do my work right and do things well and make good decisions and make things better. I think I have. I have tried, but still I make mistakes. Like the fridge, sometimes I have to start over. But you love me and know me and I am so thankful for that. I struggle God at work with those people that don't meet my expectations. I struggle with it at home, with it everywhere. I said it in front of people that I am trying to meet people's expectations and anticipate them. Help me God. Help me to give myself grace when I need it. Help me to rest in who you have made me to be. Help me to have moments of celebration where I feel like what I have done is good. It is hard to be on this quest of constant improvement. I get tired with it God. Make me God the person you want me to be. And let that be enough. And then take me home to You. Whatever you want me to go through, I will do it. Selfishly, I want to live this life now and figure out what I can do for me and how to help others. I want to do this Lord. I want to be righteous and want this in others. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 9:3-27 - Samuel Meets Saul

I Samuel 9:3-27

About this time tomorrow I will send you a mean from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For have regarded My people, because their cry has come to me.

Message: Samuel Meets Saul

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Tabletalk lesson on this passage begins by talking about God's providence with the premise that God "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph. 1:11). Nothing is random. According to Westminster Larger Catechism 18 (Completed 1647) -- "God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory."

Ps. 145:17 - The Lord is fair in everything he does and full of kindness. 

Ps. 104:24 - O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you have made them all! The earth is full of your riches. 

Isa. 28:29 - The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom. 

Heb. 1:3 - God’s Son shines out with God’s glory, and all that God’s Son is and does marks him as God. He regulates the universe by the mighty power of his command. He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin, and then sat down in highest honor beside the great God of heaven. 

Ps. 103:19 - The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything there is. 

Matt. 10:29-31 - Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t worry! You are more valuable to him than many sparrows. 

Gen. 45:7 - God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive, so that you will become a great nation. 

Rom. 11:36 - For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore. 

Isa. 63:14 - Like cattle grazing in the valleys, so the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. Thus he gave himself a magnificent reputation.

I found these verses on a website in support of the catechism. They speak of the Lord being fair, that creation is made with God's wisdom and He regulates the universe which he orders it or keeps it in the direction it should go. He rules and the father knows it all. God sends people to achieve outcomes. He knows all that will occur. Everything is for His glory. Cattles graze, the Spirit directing them. Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. So man plans, but the Lord directs the outcome. I suppose this takes me back again to God's sovereignty and understanding what this means. It is like I read these words and then wrestle with their meaning. 

I mean, I have studied this previously and seen this. It is said that God is infinite and God cannot be explained by man. We attempt. The whole subject of free will is presented and how do these ideas fit with free will. Man sins and God cannot be an author of sin and man cannot come to God on his own, as a sinner. God must intervene and direct man to Himself. Man can't make Himself on his own right with God. God makes Him right through the sacrifice of His Son - Jesus Christ. 

So God regulates all but not man's sin. He knows His Sin. He determines a path, man makes a choice, God knows the choice and while this outcome is directed by God or ordered by God, with the free will that He has given man, man is still responsible for the action. That is the idea I think. God is not responsible of man's sin but instead man is responsible and yet God orders the result of the sin which He knew would occur. I see that. 

Here is my thought: 

Man has a choice. It is A or B. There will be a result - C. God knows the result. Man chooses B. It is God's will for man to choose B, but man still makes the choice and man alone is accountable to God for that choice even though choosing B was God's will.

A is a choice for good. B is sin and man is completely responsible for this. God cannot sin and does not author sin. But God knows man will sin and it is His will for man to choose sin at times. The B choice results in an outcome of C - death. 

But for some chosen by God, instead of man receiving C, man receives D which is life. But that gift of life came about when God interceded and made it possible for man to choose A - good. Left to himself, man will always choose B. Man is incapable of choosing A without God intervening. And yet for many choosing A will still result in C - death. D only occurs when God determines that person's choosing of A will result in D for that person.

I am simply trying to understand this, but not sure if I do. For me, it is based upon the idea that all good in this world is of God. All the evil of this world is not of God because God cannot sin, but He allows the evil to occur. 

Any good that happens in this world is because of God. When I look at the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. People in this world are capable of exhibiting these. And yet, how? The presence of the Spirit is only in the believer. The believer is filled. My non-Christian friends can be people of Love, Joy, Peace, etc. But perhaps what they are choosing there is not necessarily of God, but only human acts. To forgive like Jesus forgives then that person needs to be filled with the Spirit of Christ. 

I still struggle with these ideas. I read of them but then upon dissecting them don't quite understand. 

I need to get back to the lesson here. 

I Samuel 9:3-27 - Saul is now on the scene. He is the one that the people want. The description of Saul in verse 2 is one of his appearance. That is what stands out. Not who he is on the inside, but rather his appearance. 

Verse 3 begins a story -  Donkeys owned by Kish, Saul's father are lost and Saul is to go search for them. Saul begins the trek through Ephraim, Shalishah, Shaalim, and the land of Benjaminites, but nothing. In the land of Zuph, Saul thinks they need to go back thinking his father will be concerned for Saul and others, moreso than finding donkeys. Saul knows of a man of God in this City and plans to go to him for help. And yet they need to bring him something, a gift or something for payment I suppose. The servant states that he has a shekel of silver to give. In verse 11 they arrive at the city and there are women there drawing water and they ask them for the location of the man. The young women tell them the man is coming to the city to bless a sacrifice that is taking place and this will be an opportunity to see him. The man that is coming is Samuel. The Lord had already been preparing Samuel to anoint Saul to one day deliver His people (Israel) from the hand of the Philistines. Samuel spoke to Saul, telling him the donkeys had been found. And tells him to go to the place and Samuel will come and meet with him there. A meal is prepared for Saul, a special one as Saul was placed at the head of the 30 men that were there. And Samuel speaks to Saul on the roof, proclaiming a word of God to him. 

This lesson points back to the idea started here and that is God directs events for his good purpose. Events that look like coincidences can be part of his plan. The donkeys were lost so that Saul's father would send Saul to find them and on this long trek of not finding the donkey Saul is then led to seek out a spiritual man that ends up being Samuel. And the Lord had already been preparing Samuel for this encounter. 

God directs our encounters and guides the events of our lives. He does this to bring us to a particular place for His purposes. God can use unexpected situations to bring us closer to Him. Therefore, this gives the idea that God is working all things for his good pleasure as Romans 8:28 mentions. The random events in our lives are not random. 

Do we possibly need to think of our lives differently? To not question so much why things are happening the way they are. But to keep trusting God and believing that He has a reason for these events. We keep praying which shows our dependence on Him. 

Summary: Saul's father lost donkeys and sent Saul to find them. He ends up in a city and is led to a seer which is Samuel who is there to give a special word from the Lord to Saul.

Promise: God is working out His good plans for His people even when we cannot see how all the pieces fit together.

Prayer: Lord, increase my faith. Lord, when do I make things happen and when do I not get involved in people's lives. Lord, there is a situation in my life and I feel a need to let you be master over it rather than me interjecting my solution through it. It is hard to know what to do when not doing something results in someone's hardship or intense trial. Lord, it is difficult to balance it all. There are so many with needs. It has taken me so long to get through this lesson Lord. But I thank you for the journey. I want to keep praying and talking to You. Help me to not get in the way and think it doesn't matter. Thank you for making it all work together for good. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Philippians 4:19-20 - The Faithful Supply for Our Needs

Philippians 4:19-20

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Message: The Faithful Supply for Our Needs

What the Lord is Saying: 

Our pastor gave this message on October 23 and I decided to take a deeper dive into analyzing the texts and also looking at some of the other texts leading up to this one. I started looking at this the day after and now it is a month later and I still am not finished with it. I taught Sunday School yesterday and this is what I taught on or really spent time with the class, wrestling through it and what this text really means to me, at this point in my life and then asking the class for their opinion on it. 

To start with, I find it amazing that Paul has written these texts from jail as he was apprehended for sharing his faith. He speaks of being content and speaks of having an abundance - in prison. I wonder if in prison it is easier to see those types of things because your needs are perhaps less. Your responsibilities are less. Your necessities are less maybe in that situation. 

This letter has been described as a thank you to the church at Philippi. He is thanking them for their kindness in reaching out to him while he is in prison. And also thanking them for other times in which they ministered to him. I was reading about the conditions of Philippi at this time. So the people that he was saying thanks to were not well to do or rich or having a plentiful amount of things. Yet they lived in a military colony, a thoroughfare between Asia and Europe - most likely a traveling destination. The church there was young, having started through the conversion of a few. There was a small remnant. 

And thinking about people with little, they have much to give. I remember driving down a road and seeing a man in a modest truck reach over and grab his jacket and hand it to a homeless man begging for money on the corner. Yesterday, a man was asking for money where I was eating with my brother and our response is that we will buy him a meal. He clearly wanted money, not a meal, not food. My brother went and bought him food. He came out and admitted, he wanted money for a beer. He was homeless, but articulated well. He was nice. His name Eric. I told him about places to go, to try out. Things he could do to try and get work. I gave him ideas. I think he was making excuses. You could tell there was some comfort in his condition, a matter of fact way of life he lived. There was an apprehension to move beyond that. 

In verse 3 of chapter 1 of Philippians Paul starts by saying, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you." This following week is the week of thanksgiving and I am challenged to take time to simply thank God for one another. 

As I come back now to this text, there is a tension I suppose in reading this. I wonder, what is it that God does in taking care of all people's needs in an equal manner. Or does he? Does it really mean this that everyone's needs are equal? Because the verse is specific to a person - "your" needs. The fuller meaning of this verse is God will fill-up all your needs. Yet there is a context to this verse. It is a promise and our pastor described it as a conditional promise. The conditional promise is found in the preceding verses and it is based upon the hearer or the church and their giving. The idea is that when a person gives, then they receive what they need. There is a return to their giving. Paul actually says in verse 18 that he has an abundance and in verse 17 the issue is not that he needs but that people need to give.  

The tension I have in this lesson, is this promise. And perhaps how it applies to every Christian. My dilemma is the people I have in my life. Not the people that are the "have's" but rather those that "have-not." The people that are in need. At last what I perceive as being in need. 

The idea of fill-up is the dog desiring to fill up your need. Dogs. Dogs provide me so much in life. They have this unconditional love. Our dog is at the door when you arrive. And he makes these noises when you arrive. He barks and is simply so excited you are home. It does not matter what kind of day I have had. I could have been mad at him the night before for getting into the pizza box and snagged a slice of pizza. It doesn't matter. He loves to see me. And Paul I think is telling us the same thing here. God will fill-up all your needs - down from His riches. 

As I look at the Bible, I see a God that has taken care of people throughout history. And there are many ways in which He has provided for us, materially. "Go to the Land I will show you." This took a while. not through Moses did it happen, but rather Joshua. And He provided the land. Along the way, it was not all easy. It took hundreds of years and in that time there was starvation, difficult times. The people that enjoyed the provision eventually were many, but along the way others died. 

Prior to this message was a message from a guest speaker from 2 Peter and in those verses I saw how he talked about His or God's promises (2 Peter 1:4) but I left the message wondering what these promises were exactly. Here is the text: 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

The promises mentioned were not clear to me. It seemed like a general statement that Peter's audience maybe knew and understand. Now, this week the lesson is His riches. "God will fill up all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." I see a similar theme here - God's providence. 

The providence of God to me is a huge lesson in Scripture. Throughout scripture we have lessons of God's providence - or something He did for us, basically simply because He is God and He loves us. 

How is that God will fill up everyone and fill up their needs? I read an article on Madagascar recently and the fact that this country is one of the countries that has the least amount of money. The life expectancy of this country is 63. And many there make the equivalent of $100 a month. Nigeria is another place where the average wage of people is about 130,000 Naira which is about $90. These are third world countries, so I wondered, for these people, how is it that God is supplying their needs. Do they get to experience this promise. How is that myself and others that are in Christ and live such different lives can their needs filled up? 

I asked my Sunday School class to discuss this and offer suggestions. One thing people said in the class and I see as well is the focus of the text is actually on giving rather receiving. Verse 17 is a key verse in that we need to give. So there is a promise in receiving and it is often found though in giving. But people also mentioned a need to have gratitude. And also that we need to remember our focus and maybe our needs for each person are a little different. They also mentioned that in verse 11 Paul talks about being content and he even mentions a contentment of suffering need, of having little as well a contentment of having much. So there must be a contentment that even a person that may from my vantage point of having little economically, that person can still be content. 

There is a thought that God grants us to have a peace. That we recognize what Paul said in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." And in Philippians 4:13 in response to the words in verse 12 of the secret of living in every type of circumstance - being filled and going hungry -- that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

This doesn't mean that me as a person is not to give. I am to give. I am to seriously consider the people around me and their needs. I believe I do. A homeless guy came up to me on Saturday. I bought him a meal when all he wanted was change for a beer. He admitted. I also showed him how he can actually get a job - showing him all the steps and giving him a road map to this. I think there is a responsibility we have in this - to help others. But it isn't my responsibility to solve all of the needs of this world. So even as I am helping, there is also me trusting God through this. 

In Chapter 4, there is a new paragraph that begins in verse 10 and continues through verse 20. Paul mentions that he has "learned to be content in whatever circumstances" he is in (v. 11). Whatever circumstances then would mean poor or rich, having things or not. Being sick or not sick. Having a job or not having a job. Being in prison rather than being free. He has learned "the secret of being filled and going hungry" (v. 12). There is a secret. This is a verb or an action. He also mentions having "abundance and suffering need." Thus, this contentment is not based upon what we have or don't have. 

As such, the next verse -- "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" is speaking about "whatever circumstance." It is not necessarily speaking of what I am accomplishing in the future, but rather it is speaking to my present circumstance which may include hunger and suffering need. Thus, when I read the verse the most compelling part is not doing all things but rather Him strengthening me.

I took a moment and looked at the interlinear Greek word for word on this verse. It says, "all things I have strength in the [one] strengthening me." Christ is not written in this verse, but inferred. 2 Corinthians 1:9 has the same Greek word with the [one]. The word is dative masculine singular. Scholars believe this is pointing to Christ as the one giving strength. Philippians begins 1:1 and ends 4:23 with Jesus Christ. Thus the one points to Jesus Christ. We find strength because of our relationship in Christ. I do all things not because of my own strength or capability, but Christ's strength - that in an amazing and somewhat secretive way passes onto me. 

Christ took on a strength in living a perfect life, responding to temptations not with sin, but fleeing from them, seeing people and what they are feeling on the inside, and ultimately going to the cross to die on it in order to redeem mankind for their sin. His death transfers his righteousness to mine and my access of this is by faith. This is all that the Word of God says and speaks. So if His righteousness can transfer over to Me, then so can His strength. 

Thus, being in Christ transcends the events of my life. Because of His strength which strengthens me. That's the point of verses 10-13. Verse 14 mentions then Paul having been encouraged by the Philippians believers. They have come alongside Paul in the affliction and being in prison it would seem would be the affliction. There was sympathy. There was sending someone to visit him. There was a sharing. Paul was not left alone. The people came to him. We are not islands, but instead we are people to help others and be there for them. Thus, Christ strengthens people, but the people of God also strengthen people. 

And with Paul in prison, what he received was a gift to meet the needs that he has. Verse 16, "you sent" and also in verse 18 "what you have sent." 

And so in verse 19 is Paul's conclusion that God shall supply all your your needs or in whatever circumstance you are in because of being "in Christ Jesus." Thus verse 19 helps speak to the idea of verse 13 and Christ being the One who strengthens. It is all about being in Christ Jesus. 

We are in Christ and that gives us strength but we are also a part of a community that provides for one another. God supplies our needs through His Son Jesus and His strength and through other people. This is the supply. God works in Christ and works through others. 

Every need is an opportunity to trust God.

Every provision is a reason to worship God.

Every blessing is a call to Give Him Glory. 

This is how the pastor on that day ended the message. 

Prayer: God, thank you for these lessons, for taking me through them. For your journey with me this entire year. I have been low but thank you for picking me up and not letting me waste this trial I have been in. Keep helping me help others. Keep me aligned with others and what is going on with them. Help me to know how to meet their needs and when to step back. O God, you are rich. I know I am rich in comparison to them. Give me a peace that transcends it all. 

Proverbs 11:3 - Walking with Integrity

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright will guide them,

But the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them. 

Message: Walking with Integrity

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Last lesson mentioned pride for the first time since starting in Chapter 10 and today this verses mention 'them.' Contrasts continue - wicked and upright. The key thought here is integrity contrasted with falseness. 

The person with integrity is honest and has strong moral character - both in public and private. This is a person that walks the talk in front of others and behind closed doors. 

Some of the themes of this verse found in commentaries: 

• Fraudulent persons (literally, those who “cover” a matter up) pervert the truth, thereby ruining their own characters (inasmuch as in time they can hardly distinguish right from wrong), and losing the favor of Almighty God. (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
• An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. (Matthew Henry)
• Lowly souls become full of wisdom as the low place becomes full of water. (Rabbinic paraphrase as cited by Albert Barnes)
• The upright's sincere obedience to God’s laws shall keep them from crooked and dangerous courses, and lead them in a right and safe way. The wicked devices by which they design and expect to secure themselves, shall be the instrument of their destruction. (Matthew Poole's Commentary)

On Sunday, the Sunday School teacher reviewed the life of Solomon. 700 wives and 300 concubines is what stands out. And yet he supports all of those women. Hard to imagine he sees all of those women and yet he provides for them. Maybe it is better than we think. I asked someone after the class if Solomon was saved and he thought he had a perspective that God must be involved in life. Just not sure I see a personal devotion from him, but he's probably right. 

From this text, the words seem obvious. Live in an upright manner, being a person of integrity and you will be guided by good, versus the fraudulent one's who lose favor with God and through their coverup get to a point of not being able to distinguish right and wrong. 

Just as valleys (low places) receive and hold water, humble hearts (lowly souls) receive and hold wisdom. 

Not sure if anyone decides to be wicked, but their ways of being selfish result in their destruction. Kind of a hard lesson here today. 

Prayer: O God, you are good and full of wisdom. Give me understanding of this verse and help it to be a guide to my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Peter 1:3-8 - The Right Tools

2 Peter 1:3-8

3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Message: The Right Tools

Time: Written by Peter, he being influenced by the writings of Paul to Ephesus (Ephesians) somewhere between 62 and 63 AD. 

What the Lord is Saying: We had a guest speaker this morning at church and he did a message from 2 Peter on Right Tools. He used an example of fly fishing throughout his message to basically talk about the fact that God has given us Christians all the right tools that we need to carry out godliness in our lives. 

As is my pattern, I looked at the text and went back to verse 1 to understand a little bit better the context of this passage. Peter's message is written to those Christians that have the same understanding of faith or belief that he does. 

I noticed verse 1 says this faith is "by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ." I wondered with that verse if Peter is linking God and Jesus or if God and Jesus are separate. On one hand, it sounds like he is stating that Jesus the Savior is God. But could he be stating that faith is of the righteousness of God and the righteousness of Jesus Christ?

In verse 2, he asks that "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." Here again, Peter is mentioning grace and peace because of those (verse 1) having a knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 

Even if Peter is not stating that Jesus is God, he is linking characteristics that are the same of the two - righteousness, grace, peace - all found in the knowledge of God and Jesus. 

Verse 3 - "His divine power." When I read this, that's what made me go back to verse 1 and 2 and think about who's divine power He is speaking about for His is singular and yet so possibly it lends itself to think that verse 1 and 2 and the words of God and Jesus are unified rather than separate. Yet, His divine power could be the last name spoken in verse 2 (remembering that punctuation and verse divisions were added later). But also here we then have Jesus being the one with divine power and God also has divine power. Thus, there is another linkage here with Jesus and God having the same attribute of divine power. 

This here is the point of the pastor's message yesterday morning and initially the first point of the text of 2nd Peter. That to the Christian, the fellow believer and Peter - that through Jesus, his righteousness and our knowledge, those Christians have "everything pertaining to life and godliness." The everything we have is because of the faith we have, the grace, and the peace. This is indeed a compelling statement. We have everything pertaining to life because we have faith "through the true knowledge of Him." 

And later in the text it states therefore, with the qualities mentioned in verse 5-7, namely "moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love -- we are neither useless nor unfruitful." Thus we have everything we need for life an godliness and because of that we will be fruitful and useful. 

This sounds like a promise. This takes me back to verse 4 - "For by these" where these seems to be "everything pertaining to life and godliness." Peter says, "these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature." 

Again, we have everything we need pertaining to life and godliness. We have qualities that we will supply to others and throughout life to be of use and fruitful. Thus, we become divine-like. 

But in this text then is a mysterious statement to me - "He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises." Promises. What are these promises? 

2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness..." There is a promise. 

2 Peter 3:13 says, "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth." 

We have everything we need for life and being Godly. We are those that have faith and knowledge of God and Jesus. We have been given qualities. We will be useful and bear fruit. We will be divine. And this is all according to His precious and magnificent promises. 

I find this interesting because Peter explains all of these outcomes which we have because of our faith, but doesn't specify the promises, and so his audience must have understood these promises. 

I don't know exactly what these promises are right now. I could look at commentaries and review the different ideas. I suppose for now I will focus on what I know - I have everything I need.

Prayer: God, you have done it. Through faith, I have everything I need to do everything pertaining to life and godliness. I want to discover this Lord. And believe this and trust in this. And help me to share this with others to encourage them. Give us all hope. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul, Son of Kish

I Samuel 9:1-2

1 Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite, a valiant mighty man. 2 He had a son whose name was Saul, a young and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome man than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.

Message: Saul, Son of Kish

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: My Overview of I Samuel 1-8 -- Elkanah comes to Shiloh to offer sacrifices and provides a double portion to his wife Hannah who is without children. Samuel is then born to Hannah and Elkanah and taken to Shiloh to be dedicated to the Lord. Hannah praises God. In contrast, Eli (the priest) has 2 worthless sons that do not follow the Lord compared to Samuel that is dedicated to the Lord for service. Eli trains Samuel and he is growing with the Lord God, as a prophet, and bringing God’s word to Israel. Eli, after 40 years as judge, dies after hearing his sons have died, Israel has been defeated and the ark is taken by Philistines. One of Eli's sons - Phinehas wife has a son, Ichabad meaning, "The Glory Departs from Israel." The Philistines take the ark to Dagon, their god as a sort of victory but Yahweh conquers Dagon and other cities for possessing the ark of God. With all of the judgment taking place by possessing the ark, the Philistines turn over the ark and make a guilt offering of tumors and mice. Offerings received from the people as well. Samuel leads the people to restoration from the hand of the Philistines. The people respond by putting away their foreign Gods and Samuel removes the evil, restores the good and God responds and makes a way for victory against the Philistines. At the end of Samuel's life, the people want a new king of their own doing. God provides a king through Samuel, not giving them what they need, but what they want. 

Verse 1 introduces this son from the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob (Israel). Verse 1 mentions Aphiah as being in the line of Benjamin, but there is no other mention of Aphiah and he was not a son of Benjamin, nor Becorath or Zeror, but Abiel is the great grand-father of Saul. Interesting these names listed and yet not clearly connected and yet the author it important to show this lineage of Saul.  Kish was a "valiant mighty man."

Kish had a son name Saul. 

- a young and handsome man

- not more of a handsome man among sons of Israel (Jacob) and that is over 700 years, so I suppose he is quite handsome

- taller than any of the other people

I suppose it is of note that the most interesting information to share about Saul is he is handsome and tall. His father was a valiant mighty man. Saul, however is handsome and tall. Saul looks the part and this seems to be what the people want. God gives the people what they want. Elections are set up as popular vote. The people choose their leader. But God ultimately is in charge so whoever is at the head is who the people want. Yet God is involved. 

Summary: God gives the people what they want in a leader - Saul - tall and handsome. 

Promise: Am I more focused on my looks and appearance or my spiritual growth and who I am as a person. 

Prayer: Lord, perhaps from this verse I am to learn that while being handsome and tall and good looks is what matters to people so very often and also to me most of the time, what I need to be more focused on is what i son the inside. O God, I am like these people, that want the good looking king - wife. Lord, help me in this. I need this lesson today. I need to be about You. And what is important to You. Redefine me God. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:2 - Understand Your Limits

Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes, then comes dishonor

But with the humble is wisdom. 

Message: Understand your limits

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: This is the first time that pride is mentioned. This verse compares pride and humility. 

Pride seems to be a problem as this verse mentions, for with it comes dishonor. There is a connotation of pride in our world today that doesn't seem to be wrong, such as me saying "I am proud of my children" which seems to be an admission that I am glad that my children are mine. It is a word which shows that I am extremely glad with a deep level of satisfaction for having an association with a person or cause. 

But traditionally, pride or being prideful is a vice. And more specifically in religious traditions, it is competing with reliance and dependence on God. With God as creator, we serve Him and surrender to Him and His ways. We are guided by His principles and in life, he is the one to receive glory for anything that is accomplished including my work. Without God in the picture, it seems like life shifts to personal achievement as well as societal achievement. Its focus is more on community being served and guiding our principles. 

I have been reading a book on life and more specifically life in my later years. I am 58 and so with the kids gone from the home and myself past my prime of productivity, I am looking at these later years and figuring out my purpose. Chapter 3 of this book is "Kick your success addiction" and primarily is focusing attention on workaholism. The book mentions that "work, which is a source of meaning and purpose, becomes workaholism, which hurts our relationships." Saint Augustine observed that "pride lurks even in good works in order to destroy them." Success is fine and part of excellence but somewhere along the way it becomes an addiction in our life. 

I know I struggle with pride. I have gifts that I think the Lord has given me and it seems it is important to not be tempted to think too highly of myself and in the process get my focus off of God. As years have gone by and as I have done things, often driven to do those things, I start seeing myself as the one that needs to do things. This mostly occurs at work, in the work I do and work assignments. 

In this verse, the writer states that pride produces dishonor. NIV says disgrace, shame (KJV). From the internet, "Luke 14:11 says, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted". This verse emphasizes a principle of spiritual humility, suggesting that those who seek honor for themselves through pride will be brought low, while those who are humble will ultimately be lifted up by God." Thus, God will humble every person. 

Thus, this verse is framing the unhealthy version of pride or the kind of pride that inflates the view of oneself. The dishonor or shame is the result of this unhealthy or inflated view of oneself. The problem seems to be when the scale is tipped and a person moves from confidence to overconfidence. The overconfident person takes unnecessary risks because they think they cannot fail. A student thinks they can't fail, so in turn, they don't study. A person who has great confidence in their driving might cause themselves to take risks on the road and result in getting a ticket which is showing them at fault. The person starts out thinking they can't fail, but this could produce failure. The failure is the dishonor or shame of now being seen as a foolish person.

I get this way at times, thinking I can do things that sometime are beyond my ability. That time I worked on Pamela's car and changing a tire and then forgot to tighten the lug nuts once the car was on the ground. And the wheel came off and I looked foolish. I felt like a bad person, a failure. And it all started with "I can do this" even though I am not a mechanic. 

The contrast here is the humble person. This is the person with a quiet confidence. It is a person that understands their limits. This is the person knows when they can handle something and knows when they need to shift the responsibility to another person. The humble person still acts but acts within reason and this is the person then which is seen as wise. This person knows when to give where credit where credit is due. 

Prayer: O God, help me to be that person that understands my limits. You have gifted everyone differently and often it is better when the right person does the task at hand. Help my overconfidence. I suppose I have that tendency to think, "I got this" but I can be a strong person that trusts in others and ultimately trusts in You. Help me understand me. And live within my constraints. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 8 - Israel Sinfully Demands a King

I Samuel 8

19 Yet the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, 20 so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Message: Israel Sinfully Demands a King

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: O God, my wife and I are preparing this week to go and see friends. Lord, help that time with them to be good and encouraging to us all. Keep us safe and make the times positive. If we play golf, help me to simply enjoy that time and not to be stressful. Lord, draw this couple and us closer to You through these days we have together. Give us strength as we prepare to leave. Thank you for this text and these lives of Samuel and others that lived 2500 years ago and yet there words are preserved for our understanding. 

Samuel is now older. He appoints his sons as judges: Joel and Abija. However, sons accepted bribes, they were fine with dishonest gain, and perverted justice. The elders want a different judge after Samuel, not his sons. Samuel prayed. The Lord responds that they are rejecting Him, not Samuel. They serve other gods. They abandon God. Samuel communicates to the people about the judge that is coming. 

Samuel tells them about the king coming. He will reign over them. Servants will go ahead of chariots. Commanders will be appointed. Some for military and some for farming. Daughters will be servants as well, like cooks, bakers. The best from your fields will be taken. A tenth will be given to him. He will take best servants. And will take a tenth of your flocks. But the people did not listen. 

God will give them the king they want, but it won't be for their good. Reminds me of Romans 1 when God gave the people over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity. The people do not want God so God in his sovereignty allows them to meet their own desires. 

Summary: At the end of Samuel's life, the people want a new king of their own doing. God provides a king through Samuel, not giving them what they need, but what they want. 

Promise: If we run after sin, the Lord may just allow us to fall, and much suffering will follow. 

Prayer: Lord, I need to always surrender to You and ask You, what you want in this situation. I want to be guided by your ways and seek You always. Help me in this Lord. Help me to be guided by You and trust in Your provision. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:1 - Black and White in a Grey World

Proverbs 11:1

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight. 

Message: Black and White in a Grey World

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: God, it has been interesting reading these words of Solomon, starting in chapter 10 and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Lord, I believe I see the righteous as being those that are living their lives according to Your design. I see it as those individuals you have directly called as your chosen ones. The wicked are not your called ones. And so in life there is these two different types of people. And your word clearly shows that distinction while I think in our world there is a subtle move to try and take the ways of the wicked and make them to be not so wicked but more or less good. Is the world getting more gray? Yet Lord, there remains a clear distinction. 

God, maybe these Proverbs are there to help me see that distinction and remind me that it is there. Help me to read these proverbs so I can see the person I am to be. Help me to understand what the writer meant by these words and therefore what you what me to take away from them. 

This verse now uses weights and measures to make a contrast between what is good and not good or bad or unwelcome or against you. The text uses the word abomination which is a strong word Lord to show extreme dislike, hateful or morally offensive. This abomination to the Lord that is described is a false balance in this text. Other translations state dishonest scales with the Amplified even bringing in dishonest business practices. Lord, wouldn't this be obvious that you abhor what is dishonest or false? That principle seems easy, but maybe it is hard at times to call out what exactly is dishonest or false.

Right now, the first thought that comes up for me is work and our purchasing practices. In our quest to get goods and services, there is a thirst or desire to get what we need as fast as possible without having to jump through too many hoops. And I notice often it is hard to understand what the rules are and what we are permitted to do. And so we often will try to state things in the best possible way for our purposes in order to see if they get accepted. We only change when we are told to change. In essence, because the standard is unclear, we try to see what we can do. Thus, what is false is blurry. How we define what is false is blurry. I wonder if this is how we approach life at times. Rather than staring at the black and white, I look at the gray. 

Lord, you take me back to that album by Leslie Phillips -- Black and White in Grey World. As you know, I did not at the time get into her music as the rocker female lead singer was not my thing I gravitated towards and actually sort of disdained. Leslie, later known as Sam, is now seen as a person deconstructing their faith, which is now a popular term for describing people that are taking the traditional faith and revising it or changing it or even abandoning it. But I mention it here Lord because of the title track. Those lyrics voice the idea of standing out (i.e. black/white) in a world that blends.  

This world I live in Lord not only acknowledges the blending of black/white, but accepts it, then approves it and then celebrates it. It has turned grey into a stand alone conclusion. Now, black and white is no longer the standard but the exception and often described as radical. That song starts out with these words - "No distinction, no emotion for right or wrong / They tell me any choice will do / No color contrast in their dull morality / The shades of good and bad are through." 

Jesus, you have words that are now recorded in Revelation 3:15-16 to speak about this grey person - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot...so because you are lukewarm....I will spit you out of My mouth." Ouch. Lord, those are strong words. While we venture towards lukewarm or grey, you state spitting that out. 

Lord, as I study these scriptures, I see the reminder of the opposites while I live in a world of the gray or blending. Simply identifying the black and white now is hard for I am daily being trained in only the color of grey. Help me God to stand out even if my standing out is not what people want. I want to be of your delight and so i want to be a just weight or let your truth in me be defined by You and Your definition. I will stumble Lord. I will forsake You as I have done. Forgive me for this now and in the future. Let it be glaring in my life the direction I need to go and be. As I go to church today, I thank you for that place, a place of refuge that retrains me or reminds me of your standards. I go there to get trained. And then help me to return to the arena of gray and continue to stand out. As I come across these grey moments, help me to know what is the way of standing out. Sometimes I can't see it Lord or I am blinded to it. Sometimes I don't know what is your standard. I pray for your grace to be extended to me so I can see what is the just weight. Lord, help me also to separate the sin from the sinner. I want to hate the sin, but I want to love the sinner. This is hard at times Lord. Again, I pray for your grace. Thank you Lord for calling me and taking me to this standard of living - of being. In Christ alone I pray. Amen. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 7 - Israel Puts Away Foreign Gods

I Samuel 7

Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

Message: Israel Puts Away Foreign Gods

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: The Ark of the Covenant is back in the right hands, "into the house of Abinadab." Eleazar is "to keep the ark." It was there for twenty years. The people lamented after the Lord. There is sorrow for the way in which the Ark has been handled. 

In verse 3, Samuel challenges the house of Israel with an IF..THEN statement of promise. If the people will return to the Lord and abandon the foreign gods then they will be delivered from the hand of the Philistines. And so they followed suit and did this. Samuel prayed for them at Mizpah. The people fasted, crying out their sin against the Lord. Samuel judged the sons of Israel. Samuel was God's representative of these people. 

It is interesting because he sounds like the office of the priest that is present today in the Catholic Church. And yet with the Holy Spirit as our guide, do we need this judge today? It seems we don't. The judge then made sure that the people followed correctly, redirecting people when necessary and punishing those that went wayward. He acted on the ways of God and laws of God before a people. This seems like a role that is still needed in some ways to God. People want to honor God, but are not sure and therefore go to people for answers, for help, guidance.

Coming back to the story of Israel. The Philistines heard about this gathering at Mizpah for Israel to get things right with God. The people go to Samuel and say, "Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” Basically, don't give up on us yet. 

Samuel sacrifices to the Lord and the Lord responded and confused the Philistines as they came to battle Israel. Samuel signifies this with a stone called Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Philistines were taken care of and cities were restored to Israel that had been taken. They had been delivered. Samuel had acted on behalf of the people and the people had responded as well in turning their hearts to God, away from the foreign Gods. 

"Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life." Samuel judged Israel in many places. In Ramah he built an altar to the Lord. 

Summary: Samuel leads the people to restoration from the hand of the Philistines. The people respond by putting away their foreign Gods and Samuel removes the evil, restores the good and God responds and makes a way for victory against the Philistines. 

Promise: I need to be a person who repents and turns my life, all of my life, over to God. 

Prayer: O God, free from the sin that entangles me. I give air time to it all of the time. Instead turn my heart toward you so that I am removing anything that is serving the world and its ways. Those are my foreign Gods. Thank you Holy Spirit for interceding for me and being my intermediary between God and me. Thank you for working favor in my life. Keep me humble and worshipping you always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:32 - Knowing what is right and wrong speech

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.

Message: Knowing what is right and wrong speech

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Well, it has taken me some time but I am finishing up this first chapter of Proverbs of Solomon for me, in chapter 10. It has been a good time so far and continue to see a contrast primarily between the righteous and the wicked. The writer, Solomon, clearly admonishing the righteous and showing the great results of this type of person and the unfortunate negative outcomes of the wicked. The wicked are those that are not following the precepts and ways of God. The contrast is simple. And yet it seems the world we live in is lived in the gray where the wicked are viewed often as another kind of righteous. Perhaps it is hard to view people as wicked who seem to be living good lives. 

In this verse, it is the mouth, the lips. This contrast occurred in verse 31, highlighting the mouth and tongue. Verses, 13, 20, and 21 mentions the righteous mouth, but not a contrast to the mouth of the wicked necessarily. Verse 6 highlights the mouth of the wicked whereas verse 11 focuses on the mouth of each. Clearly the mouth or our tongues is a big point of emphasis here. 

Here the words are almost a conclusion as the verse mentions "know." The righteous know what they are doing in their speaking. The wicked know what they are doing in their speaking. The righteous speaks what he knows is pleasing to God. His actions are consistent with his conscience. While the wicked has a mouth that is perverted or contrary to good and pleasing ways. 

The righteous speaks in a way that is pleasing to others. People want to be around this person. The wicked however speaks in a way that doesn't encourage a large audience. Granted, there will be people that like the wicked speech, but it won't be everyone. The wicked have a stubbornness about them. But it is almost instinctive. I have been learning how the Spirit of God takes over a person. Well, the wicked person does what is natural and that is most often protecting self. 

Prayer: O God, help me to be a person that is filled by Your Spirit and therefore my speech honors You. Direct me. Catch me in those moments when I am quick to react rather than respond. I get angry and disappointed. Lord, help my speech to honor You always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 6 - The Ark Returns to Israel

I Samuel 6

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?” - verse 20

Message: The Ark Returns to Israel

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 5 mentions the impacts of the ark remaining with the Philistines and bad things that occur because of it. They try to get rid of it to other cities but bad things continue to happen to the people in those areas. Chapter 6 begins by telling us that the ark had been with the Philistines for 7 months. The Philistines speak to the priests and diviners for their guidance as to what they should do in getting rid of the ark and sending it on its way. 

The priests give them directions, mentioning an offering that should now be done. They mention a guilt offering of five gold tumors and five gold mice. They are to prepare a cart with two milk cows on the cart, cows that have never been yoked. Their calves are to be separated from them. The gold mice would be attached as well as likenesses to the tumors. 

The priests said that if the cart goes the way of Beth-shemesh then it is a sign that the Lord God has done this evil to them. It does go that way and the people there respond with joy and they in turn do offerings as well in thankfulness to God. 

17 Now these are the gold tumors which the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron; 18 and the gold mice, corresponding to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five governors, both of fortified cities and of country villages. The large stone on which they placed the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.

But the people of Beth-shemesh were struck by the Lord. 50,070 men died for looking into the ark. And they said, "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?” I think this is a question many voice at times. In a word God is holy and no one seems worthy to stand before Him and that seems true. Only Jesus was worthy. And perhaps that is the point often of the words of these books and judges and writers. God is holy. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." All are unworthy. 

It seems very possible that we as people simply do not recognize the full meaning of this - to know what it means for God to be holy and separate from us. These Israelites show me the importance of us worshipping God. They did it through sacrifices and in a way it is a sacrifice for me to set aside my ways and times to worship God. 

Summary: The Philistines turn over the ark, directed to by making a guilt offering of tumors and mice and it is received by offerings from the people as well. 

Promise: God is Holy

Prayer: O Lord, you are Holy. God, you are not to trivialized. You are to be set apart. You are to be revered. And I need to always make you number one in my life, loving you above all else. Thank you for loving me, accepting me and knowing me. You are holy and true. It is only Jesus that helps me to come to you each day. Teach me the meaning of these words continually in these scriptures and words and how I am to make them relevant to my life today. I praise you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:31 - Speak Well Inside and Out

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Message: Speak Well Inside and Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Once again, this verse starts out in familiar territory with "the righteous." The overall goal in this chapter and in this book and in probably the entire Bible is to be righteous. It is the subject that I keep coming back to, especially in this book. The person who is righteous is walking and living their lives in a manner directed by God. This is living in right relationship with God, other people, and all creation. It seems reasonable to say that everyone on this earth agrees with two of these three parts - living with other people well and creation, but not everyone subscribes to the God part. But I do. 

And so this book and these verses continue to give us quick reminders of what the righteous person is all about and also helping us see what that person is not about. Yet, these are not commands, but rather descriptions of a person. It is written as outcomes or results. Thus, you be a righteous person and this will happen. I keep seeing this. I keep seeing who I am to be and who I am not to be. 

Here in this verse, I am to be a person that has a good mouth. I struggle with my mouth, not on good days or good situations or fun times, but I struggle when I just want a laugh and so may be sarcastic and/or hurt someone in the process — or I am in a selfish moment of wanting myself to be pleased. When my focus is on me, my mouth is a problem. 

The perverted tongue can reveal what is in someone’s heart. A tongue that speaks in an unwelcome manner will be cut off or cut down. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to have a God honoring tongue and mouth. Cultivate in me a mouth that speaks well. My mom always said, "Speak less." But I notice it isn't only what comes out of me, but also what is inside of me, my self talk. Lord, I pray that this talk honors you as well. Lord, it is hard to speak words of honesty and critique. Sometimes I wonder how I am to be a person of correction. I suppose these verses are not saying that my words have to only be uplifting all of the time. And yet I know from my son that I don't need to be passive aggressive as that is a tendency with me as well, to hint at guilt when I speak. Show me the right way Spirit of God. Birth in me good words. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.