Proverbs 10:11 - A fountain of life

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Message: A fountain of life

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: Contrasts. Vice and virtue. The contrast here is specifically the two kinds of people in our world - righteous and wicked. We live in a world of differences. I am God’s righteous. At least I think I am. My life should look like a righteous person as I read these Proverbs.

Previously in verse 3, verse 6 and verse 7 the righteous and the wicked is contrasted. I recognize once again that there are righteous and wicked people in our world today and this is a contrast that appears and is also a way of life. I think there are clearly instances in our Bible that God calls people wicked. Prior to the Flood God mentioned that everyone was wicked on the earth. Wickedness has corrupted everyone. Thus, each person has the potential to be wicked. This is clear. 

But what I've been noticing lately is the wicked person is the one that is far from God. There are non-chosen people in the Bible. There are people that are not part of God's people. And thus I wonder if this is a person Solomon in these verses is highlighting. If God chose Israel, then that would seem to be mean other people groups are not chosen. 

Now in addition, the mouth of a person is highlighted in verse 6 ("the mouth"), verse 8 and verse 10 (both state "babbling fool").  This verse 11 is the first time the positive outcome is presented of the mouth of the righteous. With that in mind, it seems that our mouth has quite the potential of getting us into trouble or representing wickedness. And yet I don't know if I would say it is bad to talk. In the previous verse I spoke of the effect even non-verbal words have on us, both good and bad. But here the write does want to mention the importance of speaking well. 

I know I tend to at times speak less than more in surroundings. That my word are more thoughtful. And yet when I am angry or disappointed, I notice my words are not thoughtful and can be rash as I speak out words of anger. I have people in my life that speak a lot. They are simply that way. Sometimes my patience for this is not great, but more often when I am working. But it is often present when I want to hear other people speak rather than only one person. Again, these are simply things I notice in my life about words. 

But just as words can hurt, words can also help and this is mentioned now here - words can be a fountain of life to those that hear them. A fountain is water that is bubbling over. It is springing up and then falling over on its side. I've noticed many times the marvel of water. Psalm 23 speaks of being led beside still waters. Water is often mentioned it would seem in the Bible as something that is pleasing and this is no exception. In John 4:10 Jesus is mentioned as living water.  Right at this moment, I am out of town, in the mountains, staying at a townhome in which a stream or river is running outside my window. Water runs. It is relaxing. The sound of nature is present. It is a comfort. It is a sound produced by nature, much like wind or rain produces that sound. It is life. And our words can at times speak of this comfort and refreshment it provides to our life. It is a mouth speaking words that are good and beneficial, refreshing and useful. 

One of the people in my life is my friend's wife and she often is speaking words of affirmation of people. If something good happens, they are the reason for the good. She highlights their good. She does not focus on her own doing, but rather always has a good word to say about others. I notice in me I like this at times, but at other times I struggle with placing the focus on me and I desire it to be on her. She is also a happy and joyful person. I have known her for 40+ years and she has always been this sort of delightful person. In her speaking of these words, I do see it helping others but it also produces in herself positive energy. Thus, the positive words we express help others but also bring a comfort and expression of life to ourselves. So the benefits are far reaching. 

My mom was this sort of person. My wife is this sort of person. Maybe the words are not as plentiful, but they are positive to me and others and they were encouraging. And people want this and come back to this. 

But the wicked man once again is the opposite of all of this. I have mentioned this already in other verses. And for now I will simply end with that. 

Prayer: Thank you God for the great people in my life that you have in my life to show my the positive words and the positive well-being of words. It is a great reminder to me of the importance of my words and what comes out of my mouth. May you guide me to be positive to others and speak well of others always. Help me to be this type of person. 

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

Judges 6:1-32 - The Lord Calls Gideon

Judges 6:1-32

Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night (verse 27). 

Message: The Lord Calls Gideon

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 6 begins with familiar footing - verse 1 - "Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." This seems to be the theme of this book. Back and forth. Evil. Discipline. Prayer. Restoration. When we sin or abandon the Lord, we receive punishment. The evil that is done is defined by the Lord. Verse 1 - "and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years." 

But it seems like there is this cycle of life - we live and trust God and they we go wayward - falling in line with the way of the world. Our hearts and our minds become far from God. And perhaps bad times come to our lives. Though we often don’t characterize these times as God judging us. Life does seem to be hard because that’s the way it is and then also hard though because of us doing evil. 

Verse 2 begins to describe what this discipline looked like to Israel. Israel had to hide in the mountains and caves because Midian was so cruel to them. Israel planted crops and Midian attacked them, destroying the crops and leaving them with nothing to eat. Eventually, the land was stripped bear. Israel was starving. Verse 6, "and the sons of Israel cried to the Lord." The Midianite people in stealing produce and taking livestock is partly the result of the oppression of Israel. 

We are like this. We get into the consequences of our actions, get disciplined and it begins to hurt us so much and at this low point we cry out to the Lord. "Please God - take this away." 

A prophet is sent to Israel to speak to them on behalf of the Lord, telling them or reminding them of the works of God and how God had rescued them - "I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery." God did these things for us. God was faithful and delivered them (us). God directed them and told them what to do but they did not listen. It is important to God that his people underhand their wayward ways. We need to be convicted. God wants to get personal with us. 

The angel of the Lord visits Gideon and says in verse 12, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Gideon though doesn't understand for if God is with them then why have all of these bad things been happening to them. The hard times we experience could me God looking at all of us as a body rather than simple as individuals. In verse 14 the Lord says to Gideon, "deliver Israel from the hand of Midian." This will be the role of Gideon - to deliver the people. Again Gideon wonders and again the Lord says to him (verse 16), "Surely I will be with you." And Gideon asks for a sign of confirmation. 

I took a moment to study this idea of God speaking to the prophet and saying that He was with him. The prophet Isaiah foresaw the virgin birth of Messiah - stating Immanuel which means "God with us." Jesus is God with us. God had been with His people always—in the pillar of cloud above the tabernacle, in the voice of the prophets, in the ark of the covenant. Yes, prophets have been needed and they are a part of our history. But once Jesus came on the scene - God with us. God is with us. You and I have direct access to God. The writer of Hebrews said it, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is all we need now, but then we needed prophets to help us. 

Gideon asks for a sign from the angel of the Lord. He prepares a young goat, flour, and unleavened bread and brings it out to the angel of the Lord in a pot. He is told to lay them out on a rock, pouring broth over them. The angel put a staff out and fire sprung up and consumed the bread and meat. Gideon had received his confirmation. Yet even in this story we see the weakness of Gideon in not simply trusting the Lord. 

Verse 25 records direction from the Lord for Gideon to pull down the altar of Baal (sun god) and the nature goddess Asherah as these were important to his father and the entire community. Baal's altar must be overthrown before God's altar can be built. He does this by taking his father's bull and then another bull that is 7 years old and throwing it down upon the altar. He seemed to be exercising the sin of his father and the people. Following taking these down he built an altar to the Lord. But Gideon does it at night rather than be seen by all during the day. He is obedient but he will define how he will be obedient. The next day thought the men of the city arose and saw what had been done and upon inquiry discovered it was Gideon. The men want Gideon's father Joash to deliver Gideon over to them, but Joash somewhat refuses and saved his sons life in the process. Rather than the men killing him, the father states that Baal has the power to do it.  And his father names Gideon, "Jerubbaal" which means that he will contend with Baal. 

Judges is recording the trust that people place in other gods. Again, there is a difference among people - those that are saved and those that are not saved. There is clearly an opposition in the world of the things of God. We should not be surprised. What we can find comfort in is that God will care for us and always rescue us and always provide a way out of these non-Godly situations. 

Summary: The people are recorded once again as doing evil in the sight of God. God disciplines then and then provides Gideon to correct them though Gideon is stubborn in His trust of God. 

Promise. Let us continually guard against being feared by man. 

Prayer. God you are God and Lord. You are holy and my creator. You are faithful and my provider. You are persistent in caring for me and you continue to correct me so that I will fear you. I am a sinner. Thank you for these lessons and helping me see the condition of man that does not change despite different environments. Thank you for providing all that you have to help me be obedient but still I must act. Still I must trust You Lord. Thank you for giving me rest continually. And providing so many good opportunities for that. But help me to live in a manner that honors You continually. 

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

Proverbs 10:10 - Non-verbal and verbal wounds

Proverbs 10:10

He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined.

Message: Non-verbal and verbal wounds

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 think my brain is overloaded. I am not getting to these lessons like I have in the past. I am over 3 months into one issue of Tabletalk. I simply have too many logs in the fire, but I still believe I am doing a lot of good things. I had this ambition to study through Proverbs. That was back on April 2. At this rate, it will take me the rest of my life to get through all of these Proverbs, but I suppose that is okay. I am learning, meditating and discovering God's word and truth. 

Once again in these texts is a virtue and a vice. A desire and a danger. And yet in this verse there seems to be two notes of caution spoken possibly. Two vices are presented with no countering virtue. This is a first in my readings. 

One who winks does not speak and this is compared to one that babbles. The one not speaking does cause trouble. The one who babbles causes ruin. 

Joseph Benson (1748-1821) said winks "secretly and cunningly designs mischiefs against others." The non-verbal is saying one thing, but doing another. The work that is contrary to the speech causes trouble. People are always watching the Christian, hoping to catch the person in a lie. The wink draws a person in, in a subtle manner albeit, but still draws that person to go along. It is a wink or a head nod. The issue is a desire to deceive, to lead astray, to engage in mischief. I notice a book in the Apocrypha, Sirach 27:22 says, "He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil." The trouble that comes involves both the speaker and the hearer. 

But what is more severe is the babbling fool. Rather than only a wink, this one utters extreme words of confusion. There is an extreme in speech. The wink is often singular in its role to deceive, focusing on one individual, but the babbling fool impacts many. Often when speaking of ruin it is more far reaching that trouble. Ruin covers a city or the fall of many people. 

There is such a danger in opening one's mouth. 

I look at some of the parallel passages or different translations and actually saw in some of them a virtue. 

New Living Translation -- "People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace." 

I notice the proverb says babbling does not necessarily result in ruin to many, though I know it has a potential to do that, but the ruin is earmarked to the fool. The "fool will be ruined." The wink produces trouble, but the one with many words will be ruined. 

The Christian Bible says, "foolish lips will be destroyed." 

I still think the intent is to show the mouth has a much clearer outcome. Words are so quickly spread today - through social media we are in greater communication than ever before. Words are plastered on screens and at times permanently etched for all to see. 

Prayer: O how I must be careful in my words. Yes, careful in my head nods and winks and eye movements, but my words hold the real power and I pray they are conforming to God's will. 

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

Philippians 3:1-3 - Spiritual Defense Wins Championships

Philippians 3:1-3

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

Message: Spiritual Defense Wins Championships

What the Lord is Saying:

From the sermon yesterday at church (Mother's Day), Lamar Morin spoke: 

Defense wins championships is something often credited to Bear Bryant, former legendary football coach of Alabama Crimson Tide. Physical defense of any sort is very important, like for military. But spiritual defense or protection is also key. 

Verse 1 begins with the word, "Finally." Finally does not signal the end of this book as there is still several chapters to go. Paul has more to say.

1. Having the right defense

We need to rejoice in the Lord. Lord, help me to rejoice in You always. Joy transcends momentary times of happiness. I look to You Lord as my reservoir of joy. I am rejoicing in Jesus all You have done. 

John 15:11 says that Jesus' joy in us makes us complete. -- These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Psalm 32:11 -- Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

We need these continual reminders. Protect us Lord. Thank you for not wanting me to fail. Rejoice always, not complaining. O Spirit of God you protect me from sinning. 

2. Avoid the wrong audibles. There are those attempt to change some of the details or play calling by our Master. 

a. Dogs - avoid the dogs by watching out continually. Lord, I have to be on the lookout for these dogs in my life or false teachers. Beware of those hard people. Spiritually direct me away from those who mislead.

b. There are evil workers. Galatians 3:24-25. Beware of movements that are dividing up the Bible. The Law is our guardian until Christ comes. Faith has come. We have faith in Jesus Christ. Our focus should always be on Christ. 

c. Watch out for legalism. Legalist refers to the belief that salvation or acceptance with God is achieved through strict adherence to rules, laws, or rituals, rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, circumcision marked the cutting away of the old person. Now that is the Holy Spirit. He cuts away what is bad in our life. [I've heard baptism is counter to circumcision - both being outward displays.] 

3. Serve in the Spirit

For example, we need worship not just Sunday, but throughout the week. Lord, redirect me to boast in You Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 says, "But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends." Help me to not put confidence in the flesh. Nothing good lives in me. I don't want to only win a battle but the war. 

End with a hymn. Written in 1891. 

My faith has found a resting place. I need no other argument. It is enough that Jesus died and that died for me. 

Prayer: O God, you are great in mercy and love. I need to rejoice in You and keep rejoicing in You each day. Direct me away from what is false. Keep showing me the truth and thank you for instilling this in my life. I walk by your strength each day. I walk in your Spirit. You are my guide and I want to stay confident in You. Forgive me for my sins. They are many. They continue. Help me. You give me signals each day and I need to follow through on your leading. 

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

Judges 4:17-24, 5:6-31 - The Glory of Jael

Judges 4:17-24, 5:6-31

“Most blessed of women is Jael,

The wife of Heber the Kenite;

Most blessed is she of women in the tent." (Judges 5:24)

Message: The Glory of Jael

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Once again, the previous lesson started with the House of Israel falling away from the Lord. God uses an earthly king to discipline His people and then rises up Deborah who gets with Barak to pull these people back to the Lord, first killing off that earthly king. His work is done. Now he must die. Harsh. In addition to King Jabin, Sisera is mentioned, the commander of Jabin's army (v. 7). After Barak routed Sisera and his arm, Sisera flees away on foot (v. 16) and ends up at Jael's tent. Women had separate tents at this time from men. Perhaps Sisera thought this a safe place to retreat. Jael was the wife of Heber who at that time had peace with Jabin (v. 17-18). Jael agrees to keep him safe; he requests water and she gave him milk. He asks her to not let anyone know he is there. Verse 21 though is alarming - as Jael takes a tent peg and drove it into his temple and it went all the way through to the ground. Jael shows this to Barak. So it seems that Jael had a confidence in God, ready to betray Jabin and Sisera. This ends chapter 4. 

I saw the previous lesson the beginning of a prayer by Deborah and Barak. Chapter seems to be a summary of what has transpired by the Lord through Deborad and Barak. Verses 24-31 mention the work of Jael, with the idea she was moved by the Lord in carrying this out. Verse 31 says, "Thus let all Thine enemies perish, O Lord; but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might." I see here two ideas - 1) The Lord takes care of His people and will take care of perishing enemies. 2) There are enemies that parish. 

Summary: God worked through Jael to destroy an enemy of the Lord. 

Promise: God can use ordinary, common skills to accomplish incredible victories. 

Prayer: Sometimes these lessons are hard to read and understand, but thank you for the hard and challenging to understand passages like these Lord and helping me to understand them. The message is simple - God protects those He calls and enemies will perish. Thank you for calling Your people to yourself. I pray more to be called. 

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

Proverbs 10:9 - Walk equals Talk

Proverbs 10:9 

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. 

Message: Walk equals Talk

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: It is always interesting to see the characteristics of vice and virtue that Solomon contrasts. In this Proverbs he extols integrity, walking in it and that walking produces a security or sureness. It is well grounded. In contrast the one that does not walk with integrity is the one who perverts their ways and that one will be found out or exposed. 

Integrity is a characteristic I hear much about. It is a trait that is commonly spoken of in the circles of men as well. But I suppose it is common for both sexes, but for some reason it feels like it stands out for men, but that could be because I am a man. The King James refers to this as "walking uprightly." 

A quick definition of integrity - "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles." Being honest seems to be given as a virtue in life. It seems everyone agrees about the importance of this. In college, people often said, "let your walk equal your talk." What you say you are going to do, you need to do it. And in our speech it is important to always be truthful. As workers, I think this encompasses being dependable and a person that someone can count on. 

Beyond honest, it is having strong moral principles. I think this means a clear understanding of right and wrong. Morality is huge in our world as well. And yet it is defined in many different ways among people. How we are determining what is right and wrong in our world is changing, but mostly in the area of sexual relations and marriage. Whatever society deems as acceptable becomes morality it seems for people. Purity I think has been a big issue that has been assaulted, not highly as honored as people of faith honor it. A greater premium is placed now on experience and if that experience validates or makes a person feels good, then the standard is no longer a standard. And yet faithfulness is still extolled. So I think the issue of morality as it relates to integrity can be a challenge as we look at person to person. 

Charles Ellicott (1819-1905) in his commentary says that walking uprightly or security means, "He has no cause to fear lest anything to his discredit should come out." I like this. A person who walks with integrity has no fear of anything come to surface. In essence his life will be lived above reproach. The life is lived in a manner where the person really has no concern of being exposed later in life. I think of elections and it seems media or opponents are always trying to dig some dirt up on someone to discredit that person. Well, this is a proverb that says it won't happen because the life has been lived in such a way as there is no fear of that happening. 

But the vice or contrast in this verse says the opposite - "he who perverts his ways will be found out."  To walk in a perverse way is to walk in a crooked manner or a sinful path. This is a person that society hates in religious people - one that is a hypocrite. People not part of the church look at the hypocrite where a person's actions do not line up with their words. And the world hates this. The reality that the world does not understand is our works do no save us. We all are sinners and yet there is an expectation that the Christian, after conversion, will not live in any type of sin. High standards, yes. But I think we need to be more sensitive to this. When we have error, we need to admit and confess it before others. When we sin and we will, we need to confess it before God but also before man. This hurts the pride but our pride it not of importance. God receiving glory is that which is most important and we don't our actions to effect God receiving glory. 

Hence the antithesis of this verse is clear. Live your life with honesty and high moral standards of making right choices over wrong one's so that your life is an open book and there will be no fear of being exposed of any secret sins in the closet. Because this is the fear of the crooked person. The life they live that includes dishonesty and confusion over moral principles and practices other sins has a life that could be exposed. And that person through their actions lives in constant fear. 

Prayer: O God, I want to be this man of integrity - of honesty. Last night in a class I was involved in at church on marriage, we spoke about leaving a legacy. I pray and want my life of legacy to include being honest and right now, there is so much deception that my life is actually known for and I have that constant fear of being found out. Help me to clear out the dishonesty. And give me compassion to those that struggle in their lives to live in a manner that is holy and true. Help me to be a person of forgiveness and patience toward others, but I do thank for the high standard you ask us to hold to and I pray for your strength to live in this manner. Help my children as well. Right now, my oldest son is dealing with this and give him the strength to rise up from the exposure he has had of a sin. Help him to live his best life going forward. 

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

Judges 4:1-16; 5:1-5, 21 - Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:1-16; 5:1-5, 21

4 “Lord, when You went out from Seir,

When You marched from the field of Edom,

The earth quaked, the heavens also dripped,

Even the clouds dripped water.

5 “The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord,

This Sinai, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.

Message: Deborah and Barak

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: I am noticing a common phrase now in these passages of Judges, "Then the Sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord." I see this in 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, and now here in 4:1. This seems to be the purpose of this book - Israel enters a period of falling away from the Lord. They profess a faith in Him. God chooses them. They are to follow Him, but they have these periods of not doing that. It seems they lack a leader. God judges them in some way and will raise up a judge to lead them. That judge will pull them back to the life they are to live before the Lord. Left to their own ways and devices, they lose their ways. There is something needed - a leader for the people. 

It seems today we often look for this leader. It seems to be our pastor or Sunday School teacher or another leader we believe God has placed in our lives to lead us. I wonder if this was part of the reason of having the Pope for Roman Catholics. 

After 4:1 and the evil they did, "The Lord sold them in the hand of Jabin king of Canaan." Here it is again. The people do evil and before raising up a judge to deliver them that generally is preceded by they crying out to the Lord. Maybe the word that is said is that while they are doing evil in the sight of the Lord, they are fine with that and God sends them a wake up call hopefully, leading them through some sort of discipline through a man-made king that God orchestrates for his purposes. At this time, this lasted 20 years. 

Deborah is on the scene (v. 4), judging Israel, and the son of Israel come to her for judgment (v. 5). She summoned Barak (v. 6). She speaks to Barak stating that she give over to them the commander of Jabin's army (v. 7) - Sisera. Deborah and Barak go together, committed to one another. "And all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not even one was left. (v. 16)"

Chapter 5, verse 1 mentions now a song Deborah and Barak sing. It is a praise song in response to what God has done for them, in response of who God is to them. "I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel (verse 3)." Plus we learn more about the judgement that begat Sisera. It included a storm sent to flood the Kishon River to help the advantage to Israel (v. 4-5). 

God uses Deborah to guide Barak. Barak doesn't seem to be a huge man of faith. Instead of waiting on God, he is waiting on Deborah's direction (4:8). Deborah is not a military leader but she is somewhat the guide in this whole judgment. She is a prophetess. 

Overall, God continues to work through people to carry out His purposes. Sometimes through discipline and judgment and sometimes through rescue. We need both. We need to turn to Him and direct our trust in Him. God wants a people that will follow Him and trust in Him. Not everyone will. Not everyone is on the Lord's side. For those that are, He has a deep care and concern for and as they get of course, he will judge them and use others that are not of His kingdom as well to act as judges. 

Summary: Once again, Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord. After being sold over to the king of Canaan, Deborah and Barak team up to deliver Israel from that king. 

Promise: God uses different people to address evil in His less than perfect people. 

Prayer: God, you are holy and true and you are a jealous God. You have a purpose with us, as your people and that is for us to follow You and trust You all of our days. As we do not, you sometimes will do things in our lives to get our attention. You judge those who continue to ignore you. You are pulling us back to You. And yet there are many in this world that are completely against You. That is not a popular message I know, but it seems to be a true one. What is important is for me to be one that stays close to You and honors You and seeks to glorify You in all I do. Help me to be the best person you have called me to be. Forgive me for my error. I am not a perfect man, nor even a good man. I am only good because of You. I need your help and I thank You for the people that you place in my life, friends to spur me onto love and good deeds and leaders that you place in my path. You are worthy of my praise. I praise your name. 

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

Proverbs 10:8 - Don't make excuses, receive your orders

Proverbs 10:8

The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be thrown down. 

Message: Don't make excuses, receive your orders

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: In this verse is a new idea. Thus far in these verses of chapter 10, the primary focus has been on righteousness alone. All proverbs I think will in some way though deal with that subject because overall that is the point of a proverb - to compare righteous behavior with unrighteous. But the proverbs have thus far have been more about how we earn our possessions and how wisdom is to be our focus. This verse presents the idea of the heart. In addition, it speaks to the idea of receiving. Everything else that has been thus far is generally an action that the wise person has done (e.g. "a wise son makes" in verse 1, "the hand" in verse 4, "he who gathers" in verse 5) or what that wise person's life now looks like after all of those actions (e.g. "memory" in verse 7 and "blessings" in verse 6). 

For the wise person, it is not only what they do, but also how they receive. To me, this verse is saying that the wise person will accept commands. The wise person can be told what to do. The wise person accepts direction, instruction, correction. 

I had a situation at work happen last week in which I told an employee something about their work life and what they need to do differently. It was in regards to their work hours and reminding them they are on salary and with being on salary they can be at times asked to do things on their day off. They were thinking that if asked to do something on their day off, then they should be able to make up that time with personal time off. They offered a solution and I told them that solution was not acceptable and they would need to work without getting anything in return. I was instructing them about something that was different from what they were expecting. And I was asking for their obedience. She received it, but she was not happy. And so things were initially stressful with her, but fortunately things have improved and she is going to adapt. 

Very often in our world, we often do not see things the way we should or need correction. We need commands to show us the right way and therefore to avoid the wrong way. But I notice more and more that we are driven by emotions and what we want and what we are comfortable with and many are not willing to accept those commands. Instead they babble. They give all the reasons why the command won't, how it is out of line. There needs to be trust. 

Trust I think is often just this. Trust is not knowing the entire story but going forward with it anyway. It is going beyond understanding. It is taking a leap. 

In my conversations with people online, I have a man I have been speaking with that wants everything in life to check his box. He wants it all to line up perfectly. He says he believes Jesus lived, died, rose again and he believes he is a sinner, but he is not willing to accept that his sin resulted in Jesus dying. He does not believe the reason for Jesus' death was necessary. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints says that Jesus' death and resurrection begins their new life but man is still accountable for carrying out his sanctification. In essence, Jesus only covers a persons sins if the person lives their life in an acceptable manner. But that doesn't actually require any real trust. Jesus is not a stepping stone. Jesus is everything that we need to get us to God. The good life that we live following His death and payment for our sins is a response to what He did. It is not being lived to pay off what he did or ensure that we get it. We live holy lives because God is holy and we should be a people that are like Him. But Jesus' death on the cross needs to mean something. And this is where I think the CJCLDS gets it wrong. They are not really trusting in what Jesus has done. They are trusting that they are carrying it out well. There is a distinction. There is a difference. 

Romans 8:13 - "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." It is the Spirit in person who has trusted in Christ that will provide the means for them to be a new creature. A falling away can occur in a person's life, and this can be short period of time or long periods of time, but the goal in those times is to bring that person back to the live they lived before. It is to correct and teach them. But the Spirit continues to live in that person. And that is evident throughout our history. 

I titled this lesson - "Don't make excuses, receive your orders." We need to receive the orders that God gives us and follow those commands. We are not to start babbling that we do not need them. We trust in God. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your direction. Thank you for showing me that in my life I need to trust You. I need to learn things that are true outside of what I think I know. I am to be obedient to Your commands, your orders on my life. Forgive me for making excuses, for thinking of ways to avoid that command. Forgive me for finding ways to justify my own behavior rather than simply believing You. Forgive me for thinking that I know the right way to live. I do this Lord. I do not accept willingly the message that even my boss wants to convey to people. Right now that message is to be positive where I think one needs to be pragmatic and real. Correct me Lord. 

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