2 Samuel 10 - David Subdues the Ammonites and Syrians

2 Samuel 10

Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight. (verse 12)

Message: David Subdues the Ammonites and Syrians

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 9 seemed to be a sort of interlude as Chapter 10 picks up where 8 sort of left off. In 9 David shows kindness to Mephibosheth and begins Chapter 10 with the same sort of idea, wanting to show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash. Scripture does not tell us clearly the relationship David had with Nahash. Nahash had wanted a covenant with Saul back in I Samuel 11, but Saul refused as the conditions for the covenant were dramatic. So this kindness David has does not seem to be related to that. Either way, David sought kindness and sends servants to console Nahash upon hearing of his father's death. But the princes of the Ammonites think David has ulterior motives and "shave off half of their beards, and cut their garments" of David's servants sending them back to David. 

We can make good efforts, but sometimes people still think the worst. 

Verse 6 comments that "the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David" or unpleasant yet this was not the case, but thinking this they hired Arameans (Syrians) for a sort of protection. In 8:16 Joab was commissioned as head of the army. David sends Joab and that direction. Upon arrival, Ammonites are in battle ready mode, but Joab figures out how to defeat them and he proclaims "may the Lord do what is good in His sight." Whatever happens God is in charge. The Arameans then fled and then the Ammonites fled as well (v. 6-14). 

But the fighting didn't end, instead the Arameans regrouped but David now was at the helm and many were killed, thus making peace eventually with David. 

Again, I think the concern here is someone assuming the worst. And in response try to lead an army. I am not sure if Joab had to go to war, but he did and eventually David defeated those that were intent on coming against him. It seems like after all fled in verse 14 that it could have stopped, but the armies continued to take a stand and eventually were defeated. Unfortunate. The loss of life is great in these books of Samuel. 

Summary: David shows kindness to Nahash but it is misinterpreted and instead a war rises up, but the Lord is on David's side and the people are defeated. 

Promise: We should act with wisdom and kindness and be careful about listening to the wrong people in our lives. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this lesson. It seems like a simple one of accepting kindness when it comes and not expecting the worse instead and being careful about who I am listening to in my life. I have been reading this book about truth and defining it and pursuing it, and this is good, but I need your help always in discerning what is right and wrong. I ask for your help and guidance. 

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.

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.

Proverbs 10:23 - Evil as a Sport

Proverbs 10:23 

Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding. 

Message: Evil as a Sport

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: To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.

I’ve noticed in my life unfortunately times when evil has been like a sport or competition or obsession in my life. It does become a game because there is a right way of living and to choose an alternate path when all those around you prescribe the good way, then we have a tendency to make it a game. 

There is a competitive aspect to it - almost like you are outdoing one another. -- Enduring Word Commentary

Evil at some point in a persons life is done without shame or remorse or fear. Evil has become acceptable behavior. For me personally, the gay pride parades seem like evil. That we have moved to celebrating this alternative lifestyle seems like it has moved to a sport. It seems like it is a celebration in these parades as - look at me. Look at who I am. 

On the contrary a man of understanding which is our goal - is a man of wisdom. 

This person avoids evil. This person is to understanding what the evil man is to wickedness. 

This person has a pleasure in doing good. 

So instead of celebrating only me, the man of understanding seeks to celebrate others. The focus is not on self but on others. It is on Jesus and others.  I think of serving others and meeting other people’s needs. For many that becomes the sport. It is figuring out with my time how to make others first. 

Prayer: God, it is great to take these thoughts and concepts and analyze and think about them. It is interesting to think about what I value and then what is most important. Thank you for guiding me into truth. 

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

Proverbs 10:13 - Not knowing can hurt

Proverbs 10:13

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,

But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

Message: Not knowing can hurt

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: Still thinking about verse 12 as it was convicting to me. A lot was said to me personally, from that verse. I am shocked at what a person of hate I can be at times (my inside voice) as I sit as judge and jury over many. 

Verse 13 now at first glance is a verse that I think we used in raising kids to justify spanking. Spanking is an interesting idea. For the rod, we called the TLC but I don't think we did a good job with it in that way. Instead, it was a device that inflicted pain that was just not our hand. Maybe it got the point across, but I am not sure. I think our youngest got the brunt of it growing up. I despise a lot of my parenting in those days - as I focused too much on respect and behavior, had little grace and didn't engage in enough humor. It remains a huge regret in my life. Like the previous verse, I felt like my hatred was too great toward behavior that I did not like in others. 

This verse contrasts the discerning with those who lack understanding. Discerning is to show good judgment and understanding. The King James Version uses the word understanding in both phrases, comparing one who has understanding to one who is void of understanding. The one with understanding merits wisdom, while the other who is void of understanding receives reproof or even rebuke or some sort of unwanted attention befalls him. 

The manner in which we can conclude a persons understanding is through their actions or behavior. When our children act improperly toward one another it was concluded that they liked understanding and showing respect and therefore needed a TLC/rod. It is somewhat similar to the riding whip for a horse or a choke collar with a dog. They are to encourage correct behavior and yet in the process they come with some sort of pain.    

Wisdom is the ideal here. Wisdom is taking information and then understanding and placing it into action in a way is appropriate for differing situations, having good understanding of what is right and wrong, knowing the decision to make in even strenuous conditions. It is learning from the past. It is doing the right thing. 

In my role of manager, I believe I am expected to be a person that has a lot of wisdom. I have a lot of experience in many different areas and can see the big picture of it all and can therefore make recommendations on how things are to work. 

We need to expect correction when we don't know. 

Prayer: O God, forgive me first of all for improperly exercising the rod toward my children. I know in your grace you cover me. And I am thankful those occurrences were not often. Lord, help the pain that people receive when people act foolishly move those individuals to right living. Lord, we need to be people that make good decisions, act wisely, and glorify You God. Again, help me to accept correction. Thank you for teaching me your statutes. 

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

My Utmost for His Highest - June 9th - The Next Best Thing To Do

Ask if you have not Received. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. - Luke 11:10

    There is nothing more difficult than to ask. We will long and desire and crave and suffer, but not until we are at the extreme limit will we ask. A sense of unreality makes us ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of moral poverty? “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God….” — but be sure that you do lack wisdom. You cannot bring yourself up against Reality when you like. The next best thing to do if you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit on the word of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit is the One Who makes real in you all that Jesus did for you.

    “For every one that asketh receiveth.” This does not mean you will not get if you do not ask (cf. Matt. 5:45), but until you get to the point of asking you won’t receive from God. To receive means you have come into the relationship of a child of God, and now you perceive with intelligent and moral appreciation and spiritual understanding that these things come from God.

    “If any of you lack wisdom… (James 1:5)” If you realize you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality; do not put your reasonable blinkers on again. People say — Preach us the simple gospel: don’t tell us we have to be holy, because that produces a sense of abject poverty, and it is not nice to feel abjectly poor. “Ask” means beg. Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are like that spiritually. We will never receive if we ask with an end in view; if we ask, not out of our poverty but out of our lust. A pauper does not ask from any other reason than the abject panging condition of his poverty, he is not ashamed to beg. Blessed are the paupers in spirit.

 - From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition

Genesis 50:15-21 - Flowing Together

Genesis 50:15-21
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Message: Flowing Together

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying:

Ephesians 1:11 states, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Formerly God's inheritance was extended to Israel though it was expected that the Gentiles be ministered to as well. Israel did not minister to them. Now the inheritance is more broad. It is to Jew and Gentile and Paul makes this clear multiple times in his letters. Jesus made this clear as he often condoned the acts of the Jewish leaders of the day. The Church has been predestined to be part of God's plan for His people or God's welcoming of His people. The Gentiles were always meant to be part of His inheritance.

And this will of God to His church, to His people - all people - Jew and Gentile comes about after the counsel of His will. God works in the same way throughout all the instances of life. He adopts his children to his own. He is always holy, wise, and good. He doesn't operate the way we do, often by emotion. His plan is eternal and He continues to work it out. God has a sovereign decree. God is active and He actively controls all in creation. He actively works out all things in His way. He is the first cause and He works through our choices. Yes, we have free will but He works through our free will choices. There is a conflict in our world between these two. Christianity records that we are pre-destined by God. Determinism states that previous events determine future actions. God says there is free will and free will decision work out for His purpose. Atheism says there is no free will as man does not have a choice in how he responds in life.

Often in life we make choices based upon what we think is important at that time. God does not force us to act against our desires. We do what we most want to do, most of the time. Although Paul records that we often do what our new nature in Christ believes we ought not to do. We tend to do things based upon whatever will bring us health and safety. If a robber points a gun at us and asks us to give over our wallet or he will shoot, we give over the wallet. In that moment, life is more important than money. Thus, we respond in order to preserve life. And as Paul records often our decisions do not always match God's desire for us. 

In the telling of Joseph and his brothers who sent him off to be a slave in Egypt. His brothers wanted to see Joseph suffer. God however desired good for Joseph. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Thus there is a flowing together in life of man's choices and God's decree.

Promise: The doctrine of concurrence tells us that both God and human beings make things happen according to their respective places in God's decree. It does matter what we do.

Prayer: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank you for helping me understand You better and this life in which I live and breathe. Lord, help me see that my choices matter. I pray that I would honor you in all things. Thank you for continuing to work out my life, for keeping me alive. I am thankful for that, for having another day with my wife and kids and being able to see them grow and develop and my influence on their lives and what You are doing. You do work all things out. It is hard to see other people suffer, but I want to continue to trust in You and constantly evaluate my life. Lord, grant me wisdom to know where you are leading me in my life.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.

2 Peter 3:15-16 - The New Testament Canon

2 Peter 3:15-16
15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Message: The New Testament Canon

Time: Peter wrote this letter from Rome soon after he wrote 1 Peter in AD 64–66. Peter is encouraging believers to stand firm as they face false teachers. Peter emphasized the importance of learning and clinging to the proper knowledge of God

What the Lord is Saying:

It is important in the study of Scripture to know which books constitute scripture. Thus, deciding what is inspired or not inspired is a process because many have stated having received a word from the Lord.

In identifying the books for the New Testament Canon or the inspired scriptures that would become part of our Bible there were some books that were universally accepted - the four Gospels, the Pauline epistles, Acts, 1 Peter and I John. Early believers had questions though about 2 and 3 John and Revelation. The other books added were added because of apostolic authorship and the fact that by the 4th century these books were well read throughout the World.

The conclusion though was in the fact that these Scriptures were confirmed by the Holy Spirit in his speaking to believers of there authenticity. The Spirit spoke to the writers and spoke to those who evaluated the Scriptures, thus our trust is on God.

What I saw earlier was the idea that Paul's letter to Timothy mentioned Scripture and the question at the time when he said, All Scripture is inspired by God is what was the scripture that he was speaking about. Was he simply speaking about the Old Testament Canon? That was my thought at the time as I wouldn't think he would be speaking of his own writings. But perhaps Paul was in fact claiming his words as authoritative. One, i think about which words of the New Testament were in existence at the time of his writing I Timothy. If the time of that book is dated between 60 and 65 some of the Gospels would have been available (not John), but his writings would still be in development. Clearly, he does seem to be talking of Old Testament books.

Yet Paul does sort of parallel his writings with Scripture:

I Thessalonians 2:13 - For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 - So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
Ephesians 3:3-5 - that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

Luke wrote in Acts 15:28 - For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials

John states in Revelation 22:18-19: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

Thus, it is interesting that these texts, written by these writers, self-describe that the words coming from themselves are inspired by God. And what Peter does here in these verses is sort of align his words with Paul's words and then remarks the rest of the Scriptures. Thus, as he writes the words, he affirms Paul's words and brings them altogether his words, Paul's and the rest of Scriptures.

I know I have memorized 2 Timothy 3:16-17 with the idea that the All Scripture it speaks about is the the Canon of the Bible. Perhaps we can take that application from that verse, but the reality is that the conclusion of the Canon came outside of the written words of the Bible. And it was in those proceedings that we can conclude then that All Scripture of the Bible is inspired by God.

Promise: The authority of the books to be included in Scripture and therefore Scripture itself comes from God, though his Spirit, to His people. The Holy Spirit convinces us of all truth. Only the Spirit can make us trust God's word.

Prayer: O Lord, I thank you for the depth of your truth and as I dig into it more and more each day I discover more truths of it. I thank you for this and praise You for what it says. You are a great God and I praise Your name. Keep giving me understanding as I not only learn from these devotions but as I engage with others about truth. Draw people to yourself.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with February being about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve.

Proverbs 7:1-20 - Wisdom and the Forbidden Woman

Proverbs 7:1-20
¹ My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
² Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.
³ Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding intimate friend;
⁵ That they may keep you from an adulteress, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

⁶ For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice,
⁷ And I saw among the naive, discerned among the youths a young man lacking sense,
⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he takes the way to her house,
⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and the darkness.
¹⁰ And behold, a woman to meet him, dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
¹¹ She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home;
¹² now in the streets, now in the squares, and lurks by every corner.
¹³ So she seizes him and kisses him and with a brazen face she says to him:
¹⁴ “I was due to offer peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
¹⁵ “Therefore I have come out to meet you, to seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.
¹⁶ “I have spread my couch with coverings, with colored linens of Egypt.
¹⁷ “I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸ “Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with caresses.
¹⁹ “For my husband is not at home, he has gone on a long journey;
²⁰ He has taken a bag of money with him, at the full moon he will come home.”

Message:  Wisdom and the Forbidden Woman

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying:

Keep, Treasure, Bind

My son

• Keep my words
• Treasure my commandments
• Keep my commandments 
• And live
• Keep my teaching as the apple of my eye 
• Bind them on your fingers
• Write them on your heart
• Wisdom is my sister
• Understanding is my intimate friend

I look at these opening verses and its clear that a parents words hold value to our children. The words of those over us, that have wisdom have value to us. They are to be a treasure, or of value in our lives. These verses don't express mere listening. Listening is assumed. Words are to be kept. They are to be followed. They are to kept as I live. They are to be wrapped and memorized and held onto in our lives, in our heart. Foolishness comes when we live to our own way. Without the Holy Spirit at work, living in us, we look foolish. There is a desire for wisdom and understanding because it's worth is clearly seen. We want it.

Resist Temptation
Why is it so important to keep the words, and treasure these commands? Because sin is lurking. Sin is waiting. Temptations are near and all around. In this passage, the danger is personified in an adulteress, luring us away. While adultery is the subject here, the issue here is one of being enticed away. The purpose of adhering to the commandments is they:

• Keep you from an adulteress
• From the foreigner who flatters with words

This is the entire purpose of this passage, to keep us free from what is present in this world in which we live. The adultery is real. The foreigner is real. These are not people that may be present. They are present. They are active and present in our lives. And keeping the commandments and words are meant to keep us from these people, from being swayed away. People will flatter us with words, but we must keep God's word close to our heart.

Looking in the wrong places
The Father will now tell of a story, of a situation of a young man, lacking sense. And now we will see why this young man lacks sense.

He says, this young man was Passing through the street near her corner; and he takes the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and the darkness. This is huge. The young man didn't just go any way, but purposely passed through the street near the adulterers corner, taking the way to her house. And he was at night, in the middle of the night, amidst darkness. He put himself in harms way. He didn't take precautions. Maybe he thought he could handle it. Maybe he was going somewhere else, and had no intention of seeing the adulteress, but he put himself in the way. He gave in to his trigger. 

In life, we have to stay out of harm's way. 

And this woman shows all the danger signs: And behold, a woman to meet him, dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home; now in the streets, now in the squares, and lurks by every corner. This woman goes to meet him. She isn't waiting. And she is dressed for her role. She is cunning. She is boisterous and rebellious. She does not reside at home, but lives really in the streets. She may sleep at home, but she doesn't live at home. Her business is in the streets. 

Verses 13-20 focus on her seizing this young man, taking him back to her place. Her husband is gone so they can have fun. There is a big danger here. But, it started with the son not keeping the commandments, but desiring to go his own way. 

Promise: We are to stay close to keeping the commandments and treasuring them so we will be kept out of the wrong places and be able to resist temptations. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the clarity of you Word. Thank you for showing us the importance of staying close to your commands. You are concerned about my forever, not just my today. Help each of my family members, my children to be able to resist temptations. Give them the power to flee from things that will bring them down. Help them to keep commandments and treasure the words both that we put forth as parents and from the Words of the Lord. Place them in Christ. 

Ecclesiastes 11:5 - Humility of Understanding

Ecclesiastes 11:5
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.

Message:  Humility of Understanding

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is indeed Solomon. The book was likely written towards the end of Solomon's reign, approximately 935 B.C. It is a book of perspective whereby the speaker reveals the depression that inevitably results from seeking happiness in worldly things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning. He accepts that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God and advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.

What the Lord is Saying: Ecclesiastes 11 began with the message that time is short and I need to do my best each day and give my best. And life is unpredictable; as we do our best and be responsible we can trust God for his outcomes. Now, verse 5 has these words: Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 

Now, it seems like we are in the age of knowledge. I often think about right now and our lifestyles. Their is an influx of entertainment, recreation, activity, choices -- and all of these things have one thing in common: more knowledge. With more knowledge we have more choices and more options for our time. It is actually mesmerizing. 

Yet, this knowledge does not mean we have greater wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" and Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Knowledge and wisdom are found by fearing the Lord or letting God define in our lives these virtues. In God is true morality. In life, morality is blurred. Life is constantly in motion, but we need to remember where we have come from. Religion is often seen as tradition which then flies in the face of now, when knowledge is erasing tradition.

This verse would not be a popular verse of today because it states that we do not know the activity of God. In God, there is mystery, which causes us to trust. Mystery is not what we like as it is being erased with knowledge. We would much rather say that people get what they deserve (i.e. karma). Often, the only time God is brought up is when we are at a stage of helplessness or not understanding and to me, this occurs often, in the realm of sickness. In sickness, we don't see why things have occurred the way they have and so at those moments, we continue to pray and ask God for his mercy.

Creation testifies always of God's handiwork. This verse states 3 ideas:

1. We do not know the path of the wind (or spirit in other translations)
2. We do not know how bones work in the womb of a pregnant woman
3. We do no know the activity of God who makes all things.  

Man does not understand the breath of life, how it begins, when it begins, nor how it ends or when it ends. On a side note, it is interesting the obsession we have now with robots, for man desires to have control over something and so the creation of a robot is more in that control. The body is often self healing, yet sometimes it isn't. There is definite mystery in how one body works, while another does not. We do not know how bones work. And we do not understand God. Evil is present. Weather disasters it seem have increased. Man introduces these ideas of climate change or global warming as the answer to increases in natural disasters. Yet, God's timing could be a wake-up to us that he is real, that he is real and still present in lives today. And those events are startling ways in which he attempts to get our attention.

Job 11:7-9 Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.

Promise: The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Life begins with Him and knowing Him. Get to know the character of God more than the ways and means of man.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not seeing and acknowledging You. We love our progress and our advancement. More and more we are leaning on our own understanding and with greater knowledge we become more independent of our creator. Even in our worship, we want to achieve an altered state of being in Your Presence. Bring us back to You Lord. Remind us you are the author of life. Remind us that you are in control. Remind us that you are present. Remind us continually that we need you. Lord, keep us couched in wonder and amazement, and keep reminding us we are not in control, but You are in control. You define life. Guard me Lord so that I am defined by You.

Proverbs 30:26-28 - Wise Badgers, Locusts, and Lizards

Proverbs 30:26-28

²⁶ The shephanim (badgers) are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
²⁷ The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;
²⁸ The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.

Message: Wise Badgers, Locusts, and Lizards

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: The small creatures continue to be exemplified here in these 3 verses. The text looks at the badgers, the locusts, and lizards. Badgers are not mighty and yet they build their house out of rocks in order to protect themselves and appear mighty, locusts have no king or ruler  and yet they all go out in ranks like someone is leading them, lizards can be picked up easily by human hands and yet they are found often among people.

Overall, I believe this to be another reminder of what God has ordained and what he plans ahead of time for his people (including animals).

This is from Tabletalk of October 16, 2015:

• Rock badgers (v. 26) are small creatures about the size of a hare. They live among the rocks surrounding the Dead Sea and in other rocky locales in Palestine and Syria. God has specifically designed them for this habitat. Ordinarily, their small size would make them quite vulnerable to predators, but their clawed, almost weblike feet and footpads enable them to scurry about the rocks with ease, hiding in holes and small caves that are inaccessible to larger creatures that might want to make these badgers their food. Since the Bible often compares God to a rock for His people, the lesson seems to be that the only shelter we can find from our enemies is in the Lord Himself. In light of the great obstacles we face in the world, the flesh, and the devil, we are exposed and defenseless if we rely on ourselves. Yet if we take shelter in the Rock who is higher than we are we will find protection from all that seeks to destroy us. 
• Locusts (v. 27) can form vast swarms that wreak incredible havoc and destruction in a matter of minutes. Such a feat is incredible when, according to the naked eye at least, we cannot find a king or other leader among these insects. Clearly, each individual locust knows its places and is content to do the task for which it was created. Such discipline prevents jockeying over position that would make the formation of locust swarms impossible. The parallel lesson for us is to be content with where the Lord has placed us and to avoid the jealousy of other people's gifts and positions that can cause destruction. After all, if the locusts can be so successful because they are happy to be where God has placed them and they have no king, how much more successful will we be under the kingship of Christ if we are content where we are? 
• Lizards (v. 28) are reptiles so small that we can easily hold them in our hands, yet their ability to stick to walls means that no place is off limits to them, not even the kings palace. Those who live by God's wisdom will go far in life, and those who trust in Christ, who the wisdom of God will dwell in the Lord's heavenly places forever. 

Promise: If I am content where God has placed me and happy to be under his leadership, then I will enjoy success both now and in the life to come.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be content in all situations. Forgive me for my discontent and feeling like I need more or something better. Help me to learn to stay where I am and encourage others as well in this. Thank you for your abundant providence in bringing me where I am at right now.

Proverbs 30:24-25 - Small But Wise

Proverbs 30:24-25

²⁴ Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
²⁵ The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

Message: Small But Wise

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 
Solomon now introduces the reality that there are four of God's creatures on this earth that are exceedingly small, but exceedingly wise. It is a reminder to us that wisdom is not about stature but mostly allowing God to work through you to be the person you are set out to be.

I think one of the things that would be apparent is this small creature does what they are made to do. An ant brain has about 250 000 brain cells. A human brain has 10,000 million brain cells. So, the ant's brain cells is 1/40th of a human. It is rather amazing to think about and yet they have one sole message, to acquire what they need to survive. To me, there purpose is squarely one of divine providence as God made them the way they are. We are reminded here that we can learn something from them, though we wouldn't think because of their size. Yet, within their brain size they are able to go, retrieve food or what they need in the summer so they have it for the winter. Isn't it interesting that they also have a short life span of 30-45 days so this means the preparation they are doing is not for themselves, but for their brothers who will be around in the future. They are obedient to their instinct.

Proverbs 6:6-8 has already mentioned - Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. We are here  comended to get up and do something, reminding us the ant is a hard worker. Don't we always need to be reminded of this as we are so often focused on not working, but playing or resting. Isn't it interesting that it is days in which we have worked that we feel like the day has been the most complete?

The ant acts in a wise manner, doing what is best for him. Verse 25 even describes the colony of ants are not a strong people. These animals have at their instinct a wisdom that is wiser than the human. Though they are not strong they still prepare their food in the summer. Preparation does not have to do with strength. This seems to be an important reminder.

Also, we can see that ants often need each other to carry something. Thus, they work together well.

Promise: The Lord has designed us to cooperate with one another.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the illustration that you provide with the ant. Help me to learn from the ant even that you have commissioned me for a great work, to provide for my family, to take care of them, and to take care of this home that you have provided, to take care of those in the church that are commissioned to be your ambassadors full time as well as those serving overseas. Lord, help me to remember this. My job is to help others and provide for those you have put in my care. Keep me for from laziness.

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 - Short-term Setbacks, Long-term Gain

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18
¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.


Message: Short-term Setbacks, Long-term Gain

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C

What the Lord is Saying: This is sort of a tough set of verses, because while the verse mentions words of the wise and the great benefit of those spoken words, in our society right now it seems that wisdom doesn't always win out. More and more I notice the media centered society in which we live in. Too much is put on the importance of all types of media, what the news says and then social media. It is more woven into our framework than ever before and we are being redefined, not by the principles of Truth but by the message of the world. It concerns me, not only for the world, but also for my family.

This pattern seems to mention that the shouting of a ruler among fools is louder that the words of the wise heard in quietness and yet the latter is better, as we know. We need to garner high esteem for wisdom. Divine wisdom is better (stronger) than weapons of war, but one sinner may inflict much harm on God's people with these weapons (v. 18). Overall, it is a subtle thing that seems to be occurring in life, but over time it is shaping society. 

Promise: The words of the wise mean more in this life.

Prayer: Lord help me to always remember that your truths outshine and mean more than societies, even as they are voiced louder at times than wise words. Help me to stand on your promises and not lose sight of them. I can trust you and my relationship with You is what matters most. Change hearts and train me and my family to be tuned into you and your ways. Make us people of meaning.

Proverbs 9:13-18 - Meet Woman Folly

Proverbs 9:13-18

¹³ The woman of folly is boisterous,She is naive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,
¹⁵ Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
¹⁶ “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks understanding she says,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet;
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Message: Meet Woman Folly

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Throughout Proverbs wisdom is personified as a lady calling out to society to sit at her feet and listen to her righteous words. But, the Woman of Folly, as noted here in verse 13 is also mentioned and she presents an antagonist perspective.

This woman or this person or perspective is first of all loud. She is boisterous. And yet in the loudness she is naive and knows nothing. The loud voice is not necessarily the correct voice. The one who is loud is not necessarily the one who is right. She is simply loud. She shows a lack of experience and really knows nothing.

Second, she is lazy and simply looking for an opportunity to pounce on someone. She sits at the doorway of her house looking for someone that will be lured away. She is idle. She is focused on one thing and that is calling to those who pass by. More specifically, her audience is those who are making their paths straight. I can't help but go back to Proverbs 3;5-6 which says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. The one that is seeking to put their trust in the Lord, who has set themselves as a goal to not lean on their own understanding, but in all their ways acknowledge Him and therefore, He is making their paths straight. And this is the one that Woman Folly is calling to and sitting and waiting for. It is those that have the intent and desire to be men and women of God. 

But she is really focused on those who lack understanding (v. 4, 16). The problem with the Christian often is they have a little bit of knowledge, but if they do not plant themselves in the Word of God, yield to it and get trained by it, they are lazy or naive and lack understanding. Many a Christian has no idea what to do when someone comes to their door to question their faith or makes a remark. They are set in the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ, but that setting is a little watery. It is a setting where they can move about. The goal is for us to be firmly fixed in place. Otherwise, we are easily given into the world and its ways. 

One of the things that makes sin so attractive is the fact that it is often hidden or done in secret or off the beaten track. There is a conquest in doing it for we are people of adventure and there is something special about getting away with something and that something then giving us a fix of enjoyment. 

Proverbs 5:15 says to Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. This is referring to intercourse or sex and the admonition to drink only from what is yours or has been given to you. And then here in 9:17 is the idea that Stolen waters are sweet. Adulterous intercourse is sweet. Human nature is corrupt and human nature is attracted to that which is unlawful. We struggle with being content and accepting the gift God has given us. Instead we want more. 

I have struggled with this. It is so easy in this day and age to get enticed away. If we give those sites or show our eyes, if we allow our senses to sit at their feet, we get lured away, and for a moment, a brief moment, there is a thrill and intensity. We have stolen a glance. We have garnered the forbidden fruit. We have turned to our God and said, "No sir, I'm in charge." We have denied the commandments and we feel superior in that moment. I have been there. I go there at times. It is wrong. I know it, but for whatever reason -- sickness, anger, feeling lonely, hungry, feeling tired and yet not sleeping -- in that moment of weakness I fall into bed with the woman of folly. I hate it. As Paul says, "I do what I don't want to do" but I do it anyway.  

In scripture, meat and wine are offered to the follower of God. Here the woman of folly offers bread and water. Both can meet a need, but meat and wine are more pleasurable and more powerful and longer lasting. This is what God is telling us. Seek My ways and listen to My commandments. Do what I tell you to do and you will receive more enjoyment. You think you have all that you need right now. You are in a habit, but know this, come to the Living Water and you will never thirst again. If I submit and surrender to him, then I am rich and full and complete.

This is a very powerful set of verses. In verse 18 is these words - But he does not know that the dead are there. The lure of the woman brings us in, to experience the pleasure and yet everyone in that place is basically dead. And even more her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Her guests, that is, the woman of folly, other companions, the others she has lured in, are empty. The danger is that we just jump from one pleasure to another pleasure. We are always in this state of needing to feed our senses and our desires, programmed now to think that this is the meaning of life. 

I think of Romans 1, when we give it an open door in our life, that is sin, when we stop honoring God and stop giving him thanks, then God says, "Go at it." He gives man over to it. And man is engulfed in it. This is the abhorrence of what is occurring everywhere. The Christian is as much a problem as those that clearly attack the Christian and try to silence him. 

Promise: Sin is seductive. 

My Prayer: O God, heal us. Bring us back to the joy of our salvation. Get me back on the straight and narrow path. Forgive me for thinking that I am God and I know better. You are everything and we need. Poor into the lives of my family and bring them to a true and complete knowledge of you.

Jesus Calling: December 30

I am Leading You along a way that is uniquely right for you. The closer to Me you grow, the more fully you become your true self--the one I designed you to be. Because you are one of a kind, the path you are traveling with Me diverges increasingly from that of other people. However, in My mysterious wisdom and ways, I enable you to follow this solitary path while staying in close contact with others. In fact, the more completely you devote yourself to Me, the more freely you can love people.
     Marvel at the beauty of a life intertwined with My Presence. Rejoice as we journey together in intimate communion. Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through losing yourself in Me. 

2 Corinthians 5:17
English Standard Version
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
Ephesians 2:10
English Standard Version
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
 
I John 4:7-8
English Standard Version
⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 15:4
English Standard Version
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Proverbs 8:22-36 - God's Greater Wisdom

Proverbs 8:22-36

²² “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old.
²³ “From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
²⁴ “When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
²⁵ “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills I was brought forth;
²⁶ While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, nor the first dust of the world.
²⁷ “When He established the heavens, I was there, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
²⁸ When He made firm the skies above, when the springs of the deep became fixed,
²⁹ When He set for the sea its boundary so that the water would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth;
³⁰ Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,
³¹ Rejoicing in the world, His earth, and having my delight in the sons of men.

³² “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways.
³³ “Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
³⁴ “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.
³⁵ “For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.
³⁶ “But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death.”

 
Message: God's Greater Wisdom

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

This has been an interesting chapter as wisdom speaks to me. It started out with an 11 verse address to "listen up." And then 10 more verses on simply the value of wisdom and how it is the key ingredient in all of life and for all positions of life. Wisdom transcends all the roles of life and our desire is to run out evil and embrace the truth.

This set of verses continues the thought. These verses have thought to be at many times to personify Christ and the coming Messiah.

The Lord possessed me. God was in me. I can see why people think this is talking of Jesus, but to keep the thought of wisdom in this chapter, we see that the Lord owns wisdom. Wisdom is possible apart from God. But, the kind of wisdom that rules life and is what we want comes from God possessing it. Lord, help me to surrender to you each day and allow your wisdom to be in my life. It is like a crescendo, an instrument of praise. Throughout scripture we have this idea of “In the Beginning God.” God establishes his creation and all the things in it and everything is meant to be for us. Lord, help me to be more thankful of you and what you have done. Help me Jesus to be reminded that surely you are in this place. I get too focused on tomorrow and what it needs to look like. But bring me back to past victories. I do not want to be wise in my own eyes. I want to gain wisdom from above.

Now….

….therefore….

Sons….Listen to me – blessed are they who keep my ways.
Heed instruction

Be wise

-          Don’t neglect it

-          You are blessed [simply] for listening to me

o   Watching daily at my gates

o   Waiting at my doorposts

He who finds me finds life.

He who finds me obtains favor from the Lord.

But….

He who sins against me injures himself

 All those who hate me love death

Promise: God has a greater wisdom. 

Proverbs 8:12-21 - Fruit Better than Gold

Proverbs 8:12-21

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
¹³ “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.
¹⁴ “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
¹⁵ “By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
¹⁶ “By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly.
¹⁷ “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.
¹⁸ “Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
¹⁹ “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver.
²⁰ “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,
²¹ To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.

Message: Fruit Better than Gold

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Nothing is more valuable than the wisdom that comes from the Lord. From Tabletalk - Those who seek to learn and apply God's principles of wisdom are in the best position to experience material prosperity. But, that doesn't mean prosperity necessarily on this side of glory.

Leadership is supposed to be wise as well as submit to Godly authority. The intent is for them to judge rightly and punish evildoers (Romans 13).

The perspective of this chapter is still from lady wisdom. As it says in verse 12: I, wisdom. Wisdom is speaking and wisdom is stating that we are to fear the Lord, hate evil, hate pride, hate arrogance, hate a perverted mouth. Counsel, sound wisdom and power belong to wisdom. And wisdom is how kings and rulers and princes and nobles should rule. They should love wisdom and love to carry it out.

Riches, honor, wealth, righteousness -- to have them all a person needs wisdom. Without wisdom those things are chaotic. There is tyranny, even a dictator. Its harder to have than have not.

The fruit of wisdom is better than riches. Its safer. With wisdom we walk in the way of righteousness, the path of justice.

Wisdom is key in life. I don't think we really call out and define that wisdom is what we all need. According to the definition, it is the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment. It doesn't mean that we must have experience, but this is what having wisdom looks like. The best source of wisdom is the eternal God.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 - Mirth and Mourning

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

² It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.
³ Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
⁴ The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,
While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

 
Message: Mirth and Mourning

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

I became aware of these verses for the first time upon hearing the Choir's Chase the Kangaroo release in 1988. I was 21 at the time or close to it and in college and that CD quickly become one of my favorite music releases of all time. At the time, I was a sophomore/junior in college and I believe I was getting over a relationship with a gal I shouldn't have been dating to begin with. She tore down my self-esteem and although a Christian, the relationship was not good for me. I broke it off with her and she went berserk upon me doing this in the early part of 1988. It was a good decision, but a hard one at the time. Shortly thereafter I got involved with Campus Crusade and really sort of got my life back together, spending time with a new friend, Scott, who really helped me right the ship and get me grounded again in the Word of God. This was the year that Chase the Kangaroo came out. I had always been a Christian music nut, but my early years at Baylor did get me into mainstream music again.

The song ends with this chorus:

A sad face is good for the heart of a child
For the heart of a child
For the heart of a child
For the heart of a child
A sad face
A sad face
A sad face

In the liner notes, it referenced Ecclesiastes 7:3 and I appreciated that. The verse has always stuck with me. It has been a needed reminder in my life that "sorrow (can be) better than laughter for when a face is sad a heart may be happy." Maybe I have had a tendency in life to have a sad face.

One of the dangers about our current lives that I sense is the way we got from event to event, circumstance to circumstance. The instant gratification that has become the norm for us over the last 25 years has been eroding our time to simply reflect. Even this time that I take in the morning is tough. I have little time to ponder as I must get Derek ready for school shortly and get myself going. But, it isn't just having those responsibilities. These electronic devices in our lives mean that we just don't have to work anymore for much. It is a foreign concept at times to really take the time to think about life and our circumstances.

I remember this book my dad gave me about a Jewish lady that spent a year to mourn over the passing of her husband or daughter. I read that book at my dad's suggestion and it has always stayed in my life and thinking. It reminds me of the importance of taking the time to reflect and remember a person's life. We expect mourning to be quick now, mostly I think because the focus of life is so much comfort, enjoyment and satisfaction. Even today, I'm enamored by people that are always happy and always have a smile on their face. It's attractive I suppose. And yet I also wonder if that person is trying to fool themselves that enjoyment is all you need in life.

Yet Solomon in these words gives us the reminder that "a sad face is good for the heart."  Sometimes we need to take more time to ponder and think about life. It is contemplation and mourning that we often reflect on our state of mind and where we stand with God. In some ways that time period after I dated that girl in college turned into a time of mourning. It took me a little bit of time to get out of that funk. I needed to rediscover myself and who I was. And who I was in Christ. I never left being a Christian but I needed to restore my confidence. This verse expresses that the fool simply stays in the house of merriment or laughter all the time.

Promise: I must take time on a regular basis to meditate on Scripture and what it tells us about the Lord and His ways.

Proverbs 24:1-2 - Envying Evil Men

Proverbs 24:1-2
Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

Message: Do not envy evil men

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This seems to be an obvious statement here that begins the 24th chapter of Proverbs. I am not to envy evil men. To envy is to desire something that I feel is better that what I have. Even if a person has it in mind to be envious, Solomon puts forth that the evil mind devises violence and their lips talk of trouble. 

While this is obvious, evil is personified in a very glamorous way in these times. A lot of evil behavior is now classified as acceptable behavior by our culture. Society accepts all different types of behavior now, so there are no more immediate or societal consequences for practicing this lifestyle that would be called evil. 

We are struggling with this verse right now in our family as my son is watching a friend engage in an evil practice and getting away with it. He has been doing it for 2 years and isn't getting in any trouble. So, my son thinks he is able to do the same practice. 

This is very difficult in raising children because they reach an age where they start engaging in different types of behavior. The counsel of their parents begins to not have the same level of respect or value as it did earlier. They are hearing and seeing different viewpoints and perspectives. They are liking things and not seeing immediate consequences. Sin is more widely accepted by society and society isn't punishing wrong behavior. I see myself with these problems. When there are no consequences I tend to think that the behavior is okay. It may be speeding on roads. Yet, even consequences may not curb the behavior. 

It's at times like these, that I continue to look at every possible resource to help educate my son, but most importantly, I drop to my knees and ask the Lord to intervene. My son's heart is what needs changed.

Promise: Proverbs are needed in our life. They are not always obvious. We need wisdom from above. 

Proverbs 3:7-8 - Being Truly Wise

Proverbs 3:7-8

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

Message: True Wisdom comes from Fearing the Lord

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

In your own eyes

The immediate danger in this verse is--do not think you know more about you and what God has created, the now and the future, than God. God knows. This is hard, but we need a perspective and a lifestyle that believes that I do not "know it all." Don't be a know it all. Make sure my wisdom is coming from the Lord and is from His perspective.

Turn away from evil

We turn from evil because we fear the Lord. We do not want to take our chances with evil and its ways. Instead, we are to fear the Lord. The contrast from being wise is to fear the Lord. It is me recognizing that the Lord is in control. And then evil, by any time (even being wise in my own eyes) is something I turn away from. I hate evil. It has such a hold on me. There are certain vices which I just keep wandering back to. But, I need to turn.

Result: Healing and Refreshment

Here we have a natural result or promise of God. When we have a proper position before the Lord, we reap benefits from him. Our body is healed and our body is refreshed.We strive for this healing so much in our life and it is present in simple self-change. Healing comes about when we fear the Lord; when we are not wise in our own eyes. This is healing. This is when I am most refreshed, when I see things from His perspective.

Promise: Fear the Lord and be refreshed