February 15 -- "The Way Of Life"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 6

"The Way Of Life"

Many people (Christians included) view God’s commandments as constricting. They think that God’s rules will somehow hold them back from fun and enjoyment or somehow restrict their freedom. As humans, it is part of our nature to crave independence and autonomy. We want to be the ones calling the shots and making the rules. We really don’t like someone else telling us what we can and cannot do. And, when we don’t understand the rationale behind the rules, we are more likely to resist complying with them. We want to agree before we obey. And before agreeing, we want to embrace the rationale underlying the rules.

Here in Proverbs 6, Solomon gives us several warnings regarding God’s commandments. He addresses such things as making hasty pledges, slothfulness, dishonesty, sowing discord, pride, and adultery. Thankfully, he gives us the rationale underlying each of these commands – namely that if you fail to follow God’s ways, you are setting yourself up for unintended consequences. He urges us to “save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter.” 

The reality is that God gives us rules for living because He loves us and knows the pain we will experience if we don’t follow His ways. His commands are not intended to hold us back from fun, they are to hold us back from pain and misery. For example, hasty pledges will result in financial ruin; slothfulness results in poverty; dishonesty results in brokenness; sowing discord results in calamity; adultery results in “fire next to your chest” and “walking on hot coals.” God gives you His commandments because He loves you and wants to prevent painful consequences.

But wait, there’s more! God’s commands are not just to prevent pain. God’s commands are intended to be “the way of life.” Rather than being restrictive, or cramping our style, God’s ways bring true freedom, joy, and pleasure. 

Verse 23 tells us that God’s commandment and teaching is intended to be a lamp to show us light and to guide us to true freedom. Along with His commands, God sends us His reproofs as corrective discipline to keep us on the right path. True life exists only as we walk in fellowship with our Creator, and His reproofs are given out of His pure love for us as a means of guiding us to this place of fellowship and the way of true living. So, don’t resist God’s commands – they are meant for your good. And don’t reject His discipline - they are the way of life.

February 14 -- "Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 5

"Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth"

The Bible speaks so much of the beauty of the love and the love relationship within marriage. God has ordained marriage. In the beginning when God made them male and female. He said, "For this cause shall a man leave his mother and father, and cleave to his wife: and they two shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)  

God wanted the earth to be populated by man. And so, God created the reproduction organs in the body. And God created strong sexual drives, powerful sexual urges. And He made the experience very exciting, very pleasurable. It is a God-created drive and must be used in a God-honoring way. God has ordained that these drives be satisfied and be fulfilled solely within the bonds of a marriage covenant, where two persons of opposite sex make a covenant before God that they will love, honor, cherish one another until death separates them. 

Chapter 5 of Proverbs presents a strong warning to men about seeking sexual pleasures from an immoral woman. In no uncertain terms, Solomon says “Beware of the prostitute and the temptations she offers.” The temporary pleasure that an illicit sexual encounter brings is short-lived, but the bitterness that follows is lasting.  Every man must flee the temptations offered by such immoral company,

In verses 18 & 19, Solomon focuses on the married man. The married man should be faithful to his wife and seek his sexual pleasures in her alone.  He should seek no pleasures from the immoral women found around the streets, offices, work places, and market places trying to seduce people. Married or single, a man must bear in mind that God sees everything. You cannot hide your sin from Him.

When you move sex out of the environment for which God has created it, then that which was created to be beautiful and meaningful and glorious becomes sinful. So God speaks very frankly here to all of us as Solomon speaks to his son and exhorts him about this beautiful gift that he has from God, fountains of life. Don't go spilling them on the street with just anybody. But enjoy the wife of your youth. "Be ravished always with her love."

The Lord here points out that fidelity to one’s marriage partner is His way, and results in His blessing. Strict faithfulness guards us from the heartbreak and tragedy that accompany promiscuity. Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth – and her alone.

February 13 -- "Conditional Blessings"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 6

"Conditional Blessings"

Is there an area of your life where God’s promise to you seems just out of reach? Could it be that there is a condition that you’ve not met? King David had longed to build a house for God as a place where God would dwell and where He would be worshipped. But God told David, “No.” David was not permitted by God to build this “house,” but the Lord promised that David’s son, Solomon, would carry out the construction project per David’s plans.

This “house” or “temple” was to be a magnificent building, the grandest in all of Israel. The simplest way to describe this temple is as a rectangular stone building with a porch added to the front, and three stories of storerooms added to the sides and rear. Inside, the Temple would be laid out much like the Tabernacle (“Tent of Meeting”) had been, comprised of two main chambers – the Holy Place & the Most Holy Place – with a stone porch at the entrance. At the entrance to the porch there were to be two bronze pillars. Inside, Solomon was to place the priestly articles of worship – lampstands, table of shewbread, incense altar, and the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. It was going to be a spectacular building – as long as Solomon met the conditions of God’s blessing upon it.

Here in verse 12, the Lord says, “Now, about that house, Solomon, if you want Me to keep My word and bless this building project, then you must submit to certain conditions.” God’s promise to bless the construction of the Temple was a conditional promise based on Solomon’s obedience to God’s laws. IF you will walk in my ways, THEN I will establish my word, as I spoke to your father, David. The promises made to David are now confirmed to Solomon, but on the express condition of obedience.

Many times in Scripture, the Lord gives us promises which are conditional. For example, if we want the Lord to give us “the desires of our heart,” we must meet the condition of “delighting ourselves in Him.” (Psalm 37:4) Another example is that the Lord “will direct our path,” if we meet the condition of “Trusting in Him with all our heart and leaning not on our own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Again, Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” Do you need God’s peace in your life? Then you must meet the condition of “staying your mind” on Him.

Is there an area of your life where God’s promise to you seems just out of reach? Could it be that there is a condition that you’ve not met? Pray that the Holy Spirit reveal these areas to you. God’s promises are sure! But His conditions must be met. 

February 12 -- "The Blessing of Wise Children"

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 5\

"The Blessing of Wise Children"

In verse 7 we read the words of Hiram, the king of Tyre, after he heard the news that Solomon was the new king, “Blessed be Yahweh this day.” We are told that Hiram was an admirer of David and, as such, he likely acknowledged the many times Yahweh had intervened with power on David’s and Israel’s behalf. For this, he had great respect for David and now going forward, David’s son, Solomon.

After acknowledging that Solomon was Yahweh’s choice as Israel’s new king, Hiram went on to recognize Solomon’s great wisdom. He rejoiced that Solomon had such a depth of wisdom as he began to reign in David’s stead. His words reveal that he knew the source of Solomon’s wisdom “the LORD… has given to David a wise son.”

What a blessing it is for any parent to witness God’s hand upon their child’s life. And it is heart-warming when others take notice of the Lord’s work in their child and bless God for it. 

For the follower of Christ, our mandate from God is clear – raise your child in the ways of the Lord. Ephesians 5:4 admonishes us to “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This is not an easy undertaking by any means. It requires diligence and love and persistence and lots of prayer on the part of the parents. Parents must be so careful to ensure that (in addition to their child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs) their spiritual needs are fostered and nurtured with the truth of God. And, what joy it brings when we can step back and say, “Blessed be the Lord this day who has given to [me] a wise son/daughter.”

It is an amazing thing to watch as your child “graduates” to interacting with God on their own. What a joy when your child demonstrates spiritual wisdom such that others take notice of it.

 It is truly a blessing when we have wise children. In this context, we remember the words of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” What joy it brings when your child remains on the “Highway of Holiness” even after you’ve released control of his/her life.

 

February 11 -- "Growing from a Glimmer"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4 

"Growing from a Glimmer"

When I first received Christ and was born again, I became aware of God’s righteous and holy standards for human behavior. Simultaneously, I became suddenly aware of my own unrighteousness and unholiness. As I looked at my own heart and mind and actions, I became acutely aware of my personal failings. I lived in a constant state of “not-good-enough.” I was trying to “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” but I was just so far away from God’s ideals. My mind was occupied with thoughts of my shortcomings and my heart was burdened with the impossible task of meeting God’s standards.

God used this verse from Proverbs to finally get ahold of me and deal with my chronic self-condemnation. One day, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” In that moment I realized that the Christian life was not one of instant perfection, but rather one of slow and steady growth. God did not expect me to be perfect! And I did not need to occupy my life with self-condemnation and thoughts of failure. Just as the sun begins to shine brighter as the dawn approaches and the day begins, the path of the Christian is one of spiritual growth – starting out as barely a glimmer and growing day-by-day into the righteous and holy person God intends me to be.

What a freeing experience. I learned that I was not alone struggling with my sin. I was in this Christian life side by side with the God who loved me, and saved me, and will one day bring my spiritual growth to completion in eternity. The Holy Spirit had been dispatched to my spirit to bring me closer and closer to the image of Christ. The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. The Message paraphrase puts it like this, “The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.”

So… Don’t be so hard on yourself! You are not yet what God wants you to be and that’s OK. As you follow Him, and trust Him, the longer you live, the brighter you will shine. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

February 10 -- "Being God's Hands"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 3

"Being God's Hands"

How generous are you with your time, your talent, and your treasure? Is it your pattern to keep as much of it as you can for yourself? To hold onto your resources with a tight fist? If so, then God has a message for you… the resources in your possession are not actually yours. Everything you have – everything you own – belong to the Lord. God has given you of His resources so He, through you, can meet the needs of others around you. God has called you to be His hands reaching out to a needy world. It is not your place to withhold His resources when it is “in your power to do it.” 

Do you have time? Are you using that time wisely in service to others? Or is your busy schedule so filled up with personal pursuits and activities that you can’t spare a moment to help another person? God has given you time so you can be His hand reaching out to someone in need. The simple act of sharing your time with another person is one of the most God-honoring things you can do. You can be His hand reaching out to someone in need.

Do you have talent? Or skill? Or know-how? Are you using your skills wisely in service to others? Perhaps someone nearby needs your skillset for some particular situation – are you sharing your know-how with them? Or, are you consuming all of your talents and skills on yourself and your personal success? God has given you certain talents and abilities not so you can keep them to yourself, but so you can be His hand reaching out to someone in need.

Do you have financial resources? Is it your practice to generously share your treasures with others in need? Or, have you adopted the mindset of the world around you by getting, and getting, and getting some more? Remember, God has placed His resources into your hand so you can manage them for His glory. You don’t have to give more than you have the power to give. Verse 7 urges you not to withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. God has given you financial resources so you can be His hand reaching out to someone in need.

Remember, there are people all around you praying for God’s help to meet their need… don’t miss the opportunity to be the answer to those prayers! Never walk away from someone who deserves your help; your hand just might be God’s hand for that person.

February 9 -- "The Voice of Truth"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 2

"The Voice of Truth"

There is more information available today than at any other time in human history. There are literally millions of libraries with billions of books, magazines, newspapers, reports, articles, and commentaries at our fingertips. And, with the advent of the Internet, this information is now available to billions of people around the world with the click of a mouse. Tragically, however, this overabundance of information has not resulted in a reduction of human stupidity. We live in world where people are woefully lacking in sound knowledge and wisdom.

Why do so many people lack true knowledge and wisdom? Because they are listening to the wrong voices. And, believe me, the voices among us are rampant. Those who are peddling their ideology speak loudly. They are hard to miss. Politicians promote their social agenda. Scientists endorse faulty science (falsely so-called.) Popular preachers promote their “flavor” of Christianity which, in reality, does not resemble true faith in Christ. Advice columnists and radio talk show hosts dole out their misguided philosophies. And so many people listen to and, tragically, take their advice – even when it is far from truth. People everywhere are listening to the wrong voice and obtaining faulty or incomplete information. This is why it is so important to qualify your source when listening to someone’s voice.

Whose voice are you listening to? If you are listening to the voices of these scientists, politicians, preachers, advice columnists, self-improvement books, astrological prognosticators, etc. then you are bound to be confused and lacking in true wisdom. This is why it is so important to listen to the ONE TRUE VOICE - the voice of the Yahweh our God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

The LORD doesn’t really have a “mouth” as we know it. When He speaks, it is not usually in the form of audible words. When the LORD speaks, He generally does so in three ways. First, and foremost, through the verses of Scripture. People have said, “If God wants to speak to me, let Him do it by writing in the sky.” They want to “see it to believe it.” The reality is, everyone of us can see the words He has spoken simply by looking in our Bible. God’s word can cut through the confusion and chaos of today’s “voices.”

Second, God speaks to our hearts thorough the “still, small voice” of the Holy Spirit communicating intimately to our innermost being. Finally, the LORD can speak through the wise counsel of the other mature Christians in our lives. If you are “schooled” in the voice of God, you will easily recognize the voices of error that come your way. For the LORD gives wisdom. You can trust His voice as the voice of truth.