"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel." Proverbs 1:1
It is imperative that we distinguish the difference between proverbs and promises. A proverb is not promise. Promises in the Bible are an indication of future excellence or achievement with assurance from God that they will or will not happen. Proverbs are parables or aphorims, a saying that embodies a general truth, or astute observation. Solomon astutely observed many things in his life. The promise of wealth and fame fulfilled, laid the ground work for him to have access to much and without limitations. This accompanied with the answer to the million dollar question give him great crediability to write these proverbs with authority.
Solomon tells us the purpose of his proverbs. They are to teach wisdom and knowledge, help understand insights, teach people to live disciplined and succcesful lives as well as help people do what is right, just, and fair. He also clearly scripts what can happen to a person who refuses wisdom. The list is gruesome. (1:26-32)
- Disaster and calamity overtakes and engulfs
- Anguish and distess overwhelm
- Eat the fruit of their own living and choke on their own schemes
- Are destroyed by their own complacency
I love the brighter side Solomon presents in Proverbs 2. He reminds us of the truth that wisdom comes from God. This is a powerful acknowledgment from the one who is said to have the wisest man who ever lived. Refresh you pallet with the benefits of those who cry out for insight and ask for understanding.
- From God's mouth comes knowledge and understanding. We can relax. We can know and understand things because of God.
- He grants common sense. Let's take rest in this. Our minds are so busy trying to figure things out we get confused by the simplest matter. He gives us common sense to handle every situation.
- He shields and guards the path of those who walk justly and with intergity. There is a reward for doing and saying the right things.
This is the life I want. All of this is ours if we start at the starting place, the beginning of wisdom and knowledge: fear the Lord. This type of fear does not describe one who is afraid of the Lord but who reveres Him. I do not want to be overtaken or engulfed calamity or disaster. I have tasted the bitter fruit of my own ways and been choked by my schemes. I no longer want to be led by my own understanding of anything or be left to my own complacency. As for me, I am gonna fear the Lord, cry out for insight and concentrate on understanding so that I my reap the benefits wisdom has to offer.
18 Comments:
I am so excited to bask in the wisdom Solomon shared with the belivers.
Joy, you are in our prayers, still yet today.
nancy
There were many verses I highlighted and/or marked this morning. It is almost too much to take in in one day for me. So many verses I want to meditate on and dissect. When things really stand out to me I go to my NIV that I use to study with and make notes in there. There was so much this morning I am going to have to work on it later today as well :)
Prov. 3:5-6 has always been a favorite of mine.
Prov. 1:19- if you are greedy for money it robs you of life. How we see that in our culture everyday.
May loyalty and kindness be written deep within my heart (3:3).
Prov. 4:23-27 May I guard my heart for it determines the course of my life. This passage is what I reflected on the most. Other verses came to mind when I read this. Matthew 12:34-Out of the heart the mouth speaks; Prov. 27:19-the heart reflects the man; Jer.17:9- our hearts are deceitful so we must guard them diligently. After struggles in my past with my thoughts and the hold they had over my life I am very cautious about what I allow into my mind. I did not read fiction books for about four years because of the negative affect the fantasy worlds in those books created in my real world. I am very diligent to guard what I watch, what I read, what I listen to so I will not be under a yoke of slavery from the enemy. I want Jesus' yoke to be on my life, not any bondage that the enemy has for me and to walk in that freedom Christ died for me to have (Galatians 5:1).
Hope you all have a wonderful day. Prayers for you Joy and your family.
Love,
Brandee
Good Morning~
Joy, you're in my thoughts this morning and will keep you in my prayers. I'm hoping you slept peacefully last night.
I'm too excited to be reading the Proverbs! I've read this a couple of times from two different author's, so thought I'd share a tid-bit:
Since there are 31 Proverbs and many times about 31 days/in a month... both author's -different books,recomeended reading a Proverb everyday as part of our quiet time. Like if it is May 27, then that day you'd read Proverb 2 etc. Whatever the day of the month it is, that is the particular Proverb you'd read.
Today's reading is very rich, and I too will be going back to let it sink in some more. I also liked
Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..."
Lord, my desire is to acknowledge You in everything that I do.
Loved the beginning too...positive habits [acquiring a disciplined and prudent life] demonstrating positive control [doing what is right and just and fair]
I want to
*fear the LORD
*seek to receive wisdom daily from God, read God's Word daily
*Listen more & live in peace
*get guidance & discernment
* His commands stored in my heart
*to walk in loyalty and kindness
*humbly go through my day
Thank you dear Wendy!
Girls, love you all!
Nice to see you back Jan! Loved what you wrote last evening!!!
Lori - AZ
Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:13
Amen and Hallelujah!
Also, I know somewhere there is a photo or drawing to be captioned by this powerful verse:
By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky. Proverbs 3:19-20
Just gives me the shivers...such a depth of truth, joy, serenity and calm in those words!
Love your day sisters and be a blessing,
Liz
Alaska
Proverbs 4:20-22
"My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body."
Lord, let this be so for me in this study and every day.
Proverbs 3:27-28
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, 'come back tomorrow and I'll help you.'"
This is one I need to write on my bathroom mirror or on a post-it planted on my computer monitor!
I feel with the Proverbs like we will be refreshed just as we were with the Psalms. I am so thankful that David and his worship leaders, and Solomon wrote such beautiful passages that are included in the Word of God. I too hope that the words of my mouth an the meditation of my heart are pleasing in Your sight O LORD (Psalm 19:14), and that they may be messages of encouragement for all around me (Acts 13:15, I Corinthians 14:3)
Joy, Diane, Chanan, and all of you here today, you are in my prayers. Thank you Wendy for this study!
Karen, CA
Good Morning! Cloudy and rainy in Northern Illinois today. But once again the son comes out in our reading this morning!
I was meditating on today's Proverbs in a similar way as you Wendy.
The things that Solomon truly values are:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Understanding
Common sense
Discernment
Guidance/Discipline/following instruction
He says they are like jewels to wear around your neck...to keep a good life.
These are the things we should seek and ask God for. They are more valuable than money, wealth and riches. They make your paths straight.
As I was writing in my journal and as Wendy so eloquently shared...I wrote "Hmmm, not just any wisdom, knowledge, understanding, common sense, discernment, discipline but God's....and He will make your path's straight. Seek Him always not the ways of this world.
I have found when my eyes are focused on Jesus...life is so much more manageable...especially the valley times. When traveled alone we can easily get lost and sidetracked. He can carry the burden and me too if need be to make my way through to the other side. The sun/son truly does come out tomorrow!
Proverbs 3:5&6 is one of my favorite Proverbs as well. I share it often. :)
Seek God all ways, always.
Love from Debbie in Illinois
or maybe I should say...The sun will come out tomorrow if i let His son shine in! :) Deb
Hi sweet friends!
I'll be back later to give some input on today's reading, but for now just wanted to quickly update you while I can re: Dad.
FIRST....THANK YOU so much for all your messages here, on my blog and in my e-mail!!! WOW!!! I wish we could have a big group hug!!!! Each one of you is ministering to my heart and my family. THANK YOU.
Just to be quick for now...I drove up yesterday to check on Dad...and truly girls...it was an answer to prayer. NO..the situation hasn't changed...yet :o) but, Dad was quiet and peaceful and cooperative. He is fully aware that he is somewhere he need not be, but he is being so patient as I explained to him that we are doing all we can to get him moved as soon as possible. We were told that this could take at least 8 months...but I'm praying God will move mountains long before then. Until that time, I'm looking for His purpose in this pain. I don't understand at all WHY He's allowed this...but He has...so...Lord, please make me faithful in this part of the journey.
After our visit yesterday...and trying so hard to bring in some perspective...and look for the good...I can say this. It would NOT be my first choice for Dad. He DOES NOT need to be in a locked down area. Due to finances many programs have been cut so it is not as beneficial as our hospital claimed. There isn't really any place to go outside, although a coffee shop on the 2nd floor does have a patio. The alarms and bells everywhere are needed for the vast number of patients in this wing. HOWEVER...surprisingly enough, Dad, although still asking for us to bring him home, is making the best of a not-so-best situation. His room-mate doesn't really speak...and when he does, he's VERY QUIET...that's a huge blessing...many of the patients here are screaming...hollering etc..the Lord gave Dad a quiet room-mate. The staff seem friendly and welcoming...at least while I was there :o) A recreation director did come to Dad's room while I was there and ask about his hobbies etc...so maybe there will be some opportunity for some fun time ahead. It didn't take me as long as expected on the hi-way to drive there. I was able to sign Daddy out for an hour and take him downstairs to the coffee shop. Trying so hard to see some positives in a very upsetting and disappointing location.
Thanks again to each one of you. I'll be back later today to add my two-cents worth to today's reading. (I'm actually staying home today...in the past almost 100 days, I have only NOT spent my day at the hospital now 4 days...cleaning even seems fun in comparison :o)
Love & prayers for you all,
Joy
I am here
Diane
Wisdom from Rick Warren:
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
Sending prayers and hugs everyone's way! Loving each one of you, and so very thankful for our "praying blog," where we all are seeking to know and love God more each day.
Lori - AZ
Lori, I love what you posted by Rick Warren. I need to write that down and remember it!
Lori, I love what you posted by Rick Warren. I need to write that down and remember it!
Would you like some advice from the smartest person on earth?
Just imagine a new reality show with 20 contestants who have a life-changing decision to make. After 10 weeks of competing one contestant will win the opportunity to ask the wisest person on earth for their advice on this life-changing decision. What would we call this new reality show? “Biggest Winner”, “American Crossroads”, “Extreme Decision-Making”…
Today, the Time Magazine web-site has an article on the world’s most influential people in 2009. I wonder if our imaginary contestants on our imaginary reality show would choose any of Time Magazine’s picks. Who is the smartest person in today’s world? I have no idea, but I saw something today in my early morning “porch time” that gives me clear direction when seeking advice.
In 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 8:1-12 there is a story very similar to our reality show scenario:
The queen of the land of Sheba heard of the great wisdom of King Solomon of Israel and journeyed there with gifts of spices, gold, precious stone, and beautiful wood to test him with questions. “The queen talked with him about everything she had on her mind. Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.” (1 Kings 10:2, NLT)
Looking through the filter of unrest in today’s world, Solomon’s ability to have peace on all his borders (1 Kings 4:24) is enough credibility for the entire world to look to him for advice. Israel—peace on all its borders--definitely, a supernatural thing!
The Wisdom of Solomon was a supernatural gift from God. “The Lord asked Solomon in a dream, what do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1 Kings 3:5-15). Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could govern his people well and know the difference between right and wrong (1 Kings 3:9). It is no wonder that the richest of the rich were willing to travel far and offer large gifts to benefit from supernatural, superhuman wisdom.
After reading Solomon’s advice in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes I found two sentences that sum up all his wisdom:
“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.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
I think I’ll pass on our fictional reality show or asking the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for advice and choose supernatural, superhuman advice from the one who knows the difference between right and wrong.
Have a blessed day!
Dianne
dianneguthmuller.wordpress.com
There is so much wisdom in these words - we could almost do a few verses as a daily reading instead of 4 chapters!
From the start, Solomon established the distinct difference between right and wrong, wise and foolish, good and evil, just and fair... yet the boundaries are becoming faded in our culture today - mostly in the name of "tolerance". 1:32 says, "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency."
Solomon is very clear about the consequences of bad decisions. It grieved me to read 1:19, "But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have NO IDEA what they are stumbling over."
This is a grave reminder that I should not be a "complacent" Christian about sharing the Light... I once was blind, but now I see.
Joy, a number of years ago my father was on a locked ward of a Veterans Hospital and I know how difficult it was to visit him when he would beg us to come home. We also had to say goodbye to him as he was peering out the window of the locked door. It was so very difficult emotionally. It is just so hard to tell them they are not able to go home...and so very hard to leave them each time.
May the Lord give you the strength you need physically and emotionally to endure each time you visit your father. Please know that God is aware of your situation and your needs. Keep telling yourself that God truly has the whole picture and trust the burden to Him.
It sounds like you are looking for the positives in the current place your father is in. Keep trying to do so. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers too.
Debbie in Illinois
I'm still here too! Just such a busy day from the minute my feet hit the floor this morning, I'm finally winding down now at about 9pm.
"There is a reward for doing and saying the right things"- we try to teach our children this concept. And lots of times the reward is not having to deal with the bad consequence or punishment. That is reward enough!
Thanks be to God for His ultimate wisdom and the fact that He's willing to share it with us.
Morgen
Thanks for the update Joy!
Hey Diane, Good to hear from you!
Well..I have to say it amused me when I came to the last verse in our reading TONIGHT..."Don't get sidetracked..." HAHAHA!!! Here is is, after 11pm, and I'm just now settling in to write my blog post and comment here.
I truly have no excuses! I had a free day!!!! How is it possible, on a day when NOTHING was pressing, that I accomplished so little?
Sidetracked. To deviate, divert or delay. Yes, that was me today. I had a list of things a mile long to do, like cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, vacuuming, dusting, so much to catch up on, but the seconds became minutes, which became hours and before I knew it, the time had come for me to pick my son up from school. How did it happen?
I deliberately decided to deflect duties. After an hours walk in the rain and a coffee with my sister, I played "dress-up" with some clothes a friend left in a bag at my front door. The computer beckoned me, and I relented to it's call. Next I toured the Deaf Center, an old stomping ground, and enjoyed tea with a friend. Laughter marked my afternoon. Not just little chuckles, but roll-on-the-floor, smile-'til-your-cheeks-hurt, healing laughter. Making supper was next on the agenda and then I hurried to my son's school for their three-hour music conert.
Yes, I got sidetracked from my plans today, but I think it put me in the center of God's plans for me. It was a good derailment.
Back in the morning ladies! ;o)
Hugs,
Joy
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