Obviously, I can only speak for myself, but I see myself in the proverbs fairly often. And usually not on the good side of the equation. One of the things these verses do for me is make me stop and reconsider aspects of who I am. I really want to be wise. I really want to be righteous. I really want to be pleasing to The Creator. The problem is that I'm often not.
Solomon's random chunks of truth reach deep within and call me to a more honorable way of daily living. Which verse or verses caught your eye today?
Rick - I just told Ryan last night that I find myself going through the proverbs saying to myself, "Do I do this?" I DO want to be righetous!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the ugly side is I often like to check off the ones I think I already do well. I need to remember that my Christian walk is not a checklist, but a transformation.
This blog is a great idea! I found myself thinking about Matnip's comments on Proverbs 13:7 most of the day yesterday and what the scripture might mean to me...
Hey Rick. I see two of them back to back and it's smacking me right in the face. Verse 15 smacks at me because I realize there is a big difference between prudent and simple. I'm too simple and I want to be prudent. The next two verses, 16 and 17, are staring me in the face. I have a quick temper at times and I need help in keeping that in check. I pray that God will forgive me when I "lose it" when it comes to my temper. Verse 20 to me is kind of a snapshot of the world when it comes to helping those are on the low end of the socio-economic totem pole. the second part of verse 20(but the rich have many friends) is sort of a wake up call to what happens when times are good. Question is, and I ask this based on my life experiences, "What will happen when times are tough?" To me that is the true definition of friendship and agape love. The second half of verse 21 is a true definition of Acts 2. Verse 26 is what I need more than anything else, "The fear of the LORD". Verse 28 speaks to me like an oxymoron. I'm patient in some things; however, quick-tempered in others. I don't know how to get rid of the quick temperedness. I need help from God on this. I pray that God will give me a heart of peace (v. 30) on a daily basis. Verse 31 is almost a carbon copy of the end of Matthew 25. Enough said. I found something interesting in my study notes in v. 31. "God created both the rich and the poor in his image." Very enlightening. Verse 32 is kind of like a line in the song, "Mighty to Save". "Jesus conquered the grave." I'm thankful that because of my faith in Him, I have hope beyond the grave. Verse 34--I look at it and I wonder is the United States of America in 2010 acting like Isreal back in the Bible days? Just curious. Great job with the blog. You're really making me think about some things. I want to be TRANSFORMED, not just informed.
ReplyDeleteThe proverbs that stick out to me again deal with the poor and needy.
ReplyDeletevs. 20-21, 31
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
When I am told by God to "love your neighbor," it may again be a call to be more than what society has set up as normal. What we are conditioned to do, based on what we see around us, is to be suspicious of those who are "needy," either physically, emotionally, or financially. Since we typically are around other suspicious people, we call it OK, or worse, right.
God calls me as the church, the present day body of Jesus, to do what others might not be doing...CARE, or, as the proverbs say here, simply BE KIND. It doesn't say that all needs have to be met. That may not be within my power. It does infer that I should RESPECT all people, the needy and rich alike, but not because of what they can offer me, but because they are ALL His, and by doing so, I honor Him.