Discipline is not something we naturally seek. As a matter of fact, we often run away from it. And yet it has high value with God. Solomon talks about this and other topics in today's chapter.
Which verse most made you stop and think today?
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Vs. 7 -
ReplyDelete"One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth."
I'm not positive as to the meaning behind this, but to me it speaks of living above or below your means.
I have conditioned myself, or been conditioned, to think that if people in similar financial conditions can have something, it only makes since that I should be able to afford it as well, and that sense of entitlement keeps me reaching past my means instead of living in contentment, below my means.
Delayed gratification is not a discipline I value or practice enough, yet this proverb is a testimony of how "wealth" is actually achieved.
8: A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.
ReplyDeleteThis one pierced my heart and touches my soul in a deep place. I haven't been able to explain in a good way to people that aren't in my same mindset how I "hear no threat". Not even for my life. There's alot that can threaten you--your relationships, your reputation, your job title, your wages, etc. I love the peace that comes because I hear no threat; I am with the Lord.
I need help with verse 12: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. What do they mean by 'deferred'?
These two words--hope and longing are very similar, and I can feel the difference when I simply hope for something verses when I long for something. It seems to have great value when I long for something, and it seems as though it may not be attainable on this earth. Am I interpreting that correctly? I long for the Lord, I long to worship eternally, but I can't seem to long for a great life, I hope for one. Thoughts?
15 Good understanding wins favor,
ReplyDeletebut the way of the unfaithful is hard.
I noticed a footnote, "Or unfaithful does not endure". Sounds pretty basic to me...win or lose.
This current translation speaks to me though. It sounds like what we need to do to reach out to the unfaithful. Since we as believers have understanding (to an extent, no one has it all figured out) it's often times hard to look at the unbelief of others and not look down on them for their lack of understanding. Getting on the same page as others (without stooping) is hard to do, at least coming from the "lofty position" of belief in salvation and eternal life. The way of the unfaithful is very hard to unashamedly, or even without bias, understand. Can I accept people who are unfaithful, yes. Do I expect them to change, no. Do I do anything to help bring about the biggest change in their life...most of the time, no.
This is where the barrier of the "church wall" excludes those who are outside the wall. I need to work on bringing real life to the same level as church life...all while not sacrificing any ground spiritually. One of the reasons I have a new found love of Bammel, is that I am starting to see cracks in that "church wall". I hope and pray that we have a modern day Joshua marching around our city.
Great thoughts, Caleb.
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