Week of 5/17/20 - Pages 233 - 250

It is amazing to me how the wisdom God gave to Solomon, recorded so long ago is still so relevant for us today.  A few things jumped out at me as I was reading.  First, we are called to “listen,” “apply,” “keep (sayings in our heart),” and “ready (on our lips) (p233).”  Spending time in God’s word is critical if we want God to fill our minds and hearts.  God cares about how we interact with those around us, he cares about the day to day. 

Second, repeatedly it states how God is directly involved in the affairs of this world.  “Those who are poor, he is their Defender, and will ruin anyone who ruins them (p 234).”  “God is the strong redeemer of the orphans and will bring charges to those who take from them (p 235).”  God’s great love is evident in his involvement, are care of our lives.   In some cases, when warnings are followed, it also protects us from painful consequences.  God knows all and gives us The Word as a guide for us, each day, and in all situations that we may come across.  

The third thing that really struck me was how damaging words and false accusations can be, and how much God detests lies.  In our culture where talk is cheap, we are called to a different standard.  Telling lies about others “is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (p 239).”   Also, “God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law” ( p 244).  Obedience to God can seem quite an insurmountable task as we read His expectations in these chapters of Proverbs.  Going through this section I was convicted of my shortcoming, and the realization of my sin when left to my own devices. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to change me!   Once again, the Word God calls us to have in our hearts, and ready on our lips, is proven to be true, and “He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. (p 247).” God is our deliverance, our provider, if we just come to Him.  Praise be to God! 

Week of 5/10/20 - Pages 222 - 233

Proverbs is such a rich and exciting book of guidance and uncovering pearls of wisdom! In the section I am reflecting on I see 4 clear categories that most of these proverbs fall into:
1)    Something we do and the result it brings like “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart”

2)    General counsel or we might say words of wisdom like “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines motives”

3)    Results of poor behavior like “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends”

4)    Hidden, unseen truths (not so quickly seen or understood) like “Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;

One proverb in particular stands out for me. “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
This verse has been like the North Star of prayer for me in my life as a Christ- follower. I learned the value and meaning of this Proverb early in my Christian life. When I would bring my actions and my thoughts around a certain way of doing something or the timing of doing something before the Lord He would give me peace and confidence about both the direction and the timing.  The lack of peace would act like a huge red stop sign. Sometimes He would redirect me and sometimes He would just put it into a “holding” pattern until the timing was just right.
A recent example of this very important Proverb took place for me around my retirement from the workforce and my move from San Jose to Morgan Hill. There were a series of “Red Stop Signs” along the way until the timing was perfect and I was filled with peace for a number of rapid fire decisions that would lead me into that part of the promise  “your plans will succeed.” Waiting on His perfect timing allowed me to sell my home at the peak of the market and make a move that would allow me to retire.” These were not things I could have orchestrated on my own but they took place as I committed my actions to the Lord.
Maybe you are facing an important decision in your life right now. If so, just remember His promise to commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed!

Week of 5/3/20 - Pages 208 - 222

An associate of mine who lived in Pennsylvania founded the Herr potato chip factory in 1946 .  Mr. Herr, the founder, passed away in 2012.  The business is still thriving and family owned.  

Why do I tell you about this?  While I never had the privilege of visiting his business, I do know that on his desk was a stack small books which he gave to anyone who happened into his office.  The book was called “Chips of Wisdom” and it was a reprint of the book of Proverbs.  What a great gift!  The wisdom of Solomon in this small book from a potato chip maker!

Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible.  Proverbs contains some of the most applicable truths in the Bible.  Such as:

Proverbs 11: 25

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” 

Most of them are pithy statements brimming with imagery from the real world. 

Proverbs 15:2

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.”

Any particular proverb might be applied to any number of everyday situations---from getting out of bed in the morning to building a strong foundation in our relationships with others.

Proverbs demonstrates that God concerns Himself not just with the big, cataclysmic events of life but even those mundane moments.

Proverbs constantly reminds me to follow God even in those seemingly “small” circumstances. Proverbs is a little like our owners manual!  I challenge all of us to allow Proverbs to refocus our attention on applying these “chips of wisdom” to our own lives.

Week of 4/26/20 - Pages 195 - 208

Proverbs begins with Solomon’s exhortation to his son (and God’s exhortation to us) to embrace wisdom.  Last week we read Song of Songs, which depicts the beauty and delight of intimacy between a man and a woman within a marriage relationship.  One third of this week’s section in Proverbs contains the flip side: warnings to avoid sexual intimacy outside of marriage.

The section ends with an account of Solomon observing a foolish youth being seduced by an adulteress.  Everything she says is either a half-truth or outright lie meant to entice the youth into an illicit encounter.

We often encounter one or more of these same lies when faced with sexual temptation.  For us, the seductress could also be an adulteress or a prostitute, but more likely will take the form of pornography, sensual entertainment, or sensual advertising.   Understanding these common lies, and what Proverbs teaches to refute them, can help us resist the temptation when it arises.

 To generalize the lies stated by the seductress, they are:

a.     “I have something you want” or, “I am desirable”.

b.     “I find you desirable.”

c.      “I have some exotic experience for you.”

d.     “It’s all about love.”

e.     “No one will find out” or, “There are no consequences”.

Proverbs refutes these lies with the following truths:

a.     Character and inner beauty are more important than peripheral or outward attractiveness.  “A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.” (Proverbs 11:22)

b.     The seductress is not interested in you, but rather what she can get out of you.  (See Prov 6:26)

c.      Only fools forfeit the long term for some fleeting pleasure.  “For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.  But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)

d.     Lust and sexual immorality are not about love, but rather about using and being used by others. 

e.     God knows what we do – even if no one else does – and he holds us accountable.  Proverbs lists the following potential consequences of sexual sin: poverty, regret, shame, enslavement to lust, physical harm, spiritual and physical death, a waste of time and a drain on our life.

Why do these lies seem so powerful?  I think it is because they address some legitimate needs and desires given by God.

a.     I want to be in relationship with someone that I find attractive.

b.     I want to be valued (i.e., cherished) and desired by someone.

c.      I want to be in a relationship that is exciting and fulfilling.

d.     I want to love and be loved.

e.     I want to be free from guilt and shame, and be secure in my relationship.

God calls us to avoid sexual immorality because he knows the counterfeit will never satisfy.  We can find true fulfillment of these desires in marriage and ultimately in relationship with God himself.  I think the keys to this are the following attitudes (toward our spouse if married, and toward God for all of us):

a.     Adoration and Appreciation.  In expressing praise and thankfulness to our spouse and to God, we realize more fully their attractiveness.  (see Prov 31:30-31 and Psalm 103)

b.     Belonging.  Spouses belong to one another; and we belong to God.  (see Song of Songs 2:16 & 7:10 and John 3:16)  Christ valued us so much that he died for us and bought us back.

c.      Contentment and Commitment.  We can enjoy the thrill of a lifelong relationship with our spouse and with God.

d.     Dying to self (i.e., sacrifice).  Love requires sacrifice.  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1st John 3:16)

e.     Exposure (i.e., vulnerability) with Forgiveness and Grace.  By opening up to our spouse and to God, we can be accepted and loved as we are.  With God’s help we can grow in healing and wholeness in our relationship.

All of this requires Humility and the Holy Spirit.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Prov 3:5-6)

Please talk with me if you want to discuss this.  We can mutually encourage one another to live wisely.