Proverbs 6:23
"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
The benefits of the Word of God in the life of the believer are endless. In our verse for this week Solomon lists three ways that God’s Word (commandments, law, reproofs) works in our lives.
The first is as a lamp. As we walk through this dark world in which we live, His Word serves as light by which to travel. It illuminates our path. As we hold it up we can see the dangers, turns and roadblocks as we encounter them. As a US Marine I remember many a time in night training that I had to walk around in pitch black darkness. Were it not for the lamp I carried I could have easily wandered off the path and become lost. I could have fallen into ditches, been tripped by obstacles in the path, or been injured by low hanging tree branches. Another purpose for a lamp is to serve as a beacon. Picture a weary hiker who has become lost in the woods. He tops a hill and sees a light in the distance. He rejoices because he knows that the light means warmth, food, and safety. He can now direct his steps toward the direction of that light. God’s Word is the light for our path and the beacon to follow.
God’s Word also serves the purpose of being an inner light. In His Word we see who God is. We see His glory, His nature, His character, and His eternal purpose. We also see ourselves for who we really are. His Word sheds light on our inner-most being. Every detail of our sinful human nature is revealed. And in the midst of what would appear to be a gulf to great to cross we can also see hope in a hopeless situation. That hope is found in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. He bridged the gap between God’s glory and man’s sinfulness.
The third purpose listed here of His Word in our lives is to provide correctional instruction. Everyone who has piloted a plane, sailed a boat or even driven a car knows that without constant small corrections the plane, boat or car will drift off course. So God’s Word is in the life of His followers. We walk down the path of life, start to drift off course, find correction in His Word, apply that correction, get back on course, drift off again, correct again and so it goes on and on. His Word keeps us on the straight path of life.
Here’s the rub. For any of these purposes to be activated in our lives we must be in His Word. We must hear it, read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it. Mostly however, we must obey it. If we will make the truths of His Word a regular part of our lives then it will illuminate our path, enlighten our soul and correct our way.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Proverbs Chapter 5
Proverbs 5:22
"His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins."
Chapter five of Proverbs deals primarily with sexual sin and immorality. Solomon exhorts his son to heed his warnings and teachings about strange, loose or immoral women. I think we can stay true to the Scriptures and broaden the application of the principles of wisdom Solomon gives to his son. In particular, verse 22 speaks about the tremendous power sin can have over the person whose lifestyle is wrapped up in it.
There are two words used to describe “sin” in verse 22. The first “his own iniquities”, by the context, strongly conveys the idea of deliberately twisting or perverting that which is right and moral. This is not the type of sin that “overtakes” a person. This is what occurs when we choose to willfully give in to temptation. Eventually this sin will “take“ or “captured” us like a city is captured by an invading army or an animal is captured by a skillful hunter. The invading army plans a long siege. The hunter patiently tracks his game until it is taken. We can deceived in thinking that we can continually choose to sin without regard for the consequences. We may think we can choose at any time not to sin but in our constant and willful disregard for God’s ways we will eventually become captive to our sinful choices.
The second word for “sin” is, interestingly, used to describe Cain‘s fight with sin in Genesis 4:7. Cain was told that if he chose to do wrong then sin was “lurking at the door” ready to pounce on him. Picture a robber or mugger who lurks in dark places waiting for a victim to come his way. He pounces on the victim. He beats him and binds him. He can then easily rob him of his valuable possessions. If we walk the path of sin we will become the victim of sin. We will be beaten, bound and robbed by it.
Solomon tells his son and us how to avoid sexual sin, and by extension to avoid sin in general. He tells us to gain wisdom, knowledge and discretion; To learn to recognize the strange, immoral woman and the danger she represents; And to avoid going down the path that leads to her door.
Thanks be to God that those who find themselves captured and bound by sin need not stay captured and bound. If we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. Jesus Christ sits willing and able to free us from the bonds of sin. Isaiah 61:1 says that He is come to proclaim liberty to the captive and free those that are bound. What joy it is to be free from the bondage of sin! He wants to set you free. Walk in that freedom today!
"His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins."
Chapter five of Proverbs deals primarily with sexual sin and immorality. Solomon exhorts his son to heed his warnings and teachings about strange, loose or immoral women. I think we can stay true to the Scriptures and broaden the application of the principles of wisdom Solomon gives to his son. In particular, verse 22 speaks about the tremendous power sin can have over the person whose lifestyle is wrapped up in it.
There are two words used to describe “sin” in verse 22. The first “his own iniquities”, by the context, strongly conveys the idea of deliberately twisting or perverting that which is right and moral. This is not the type of sin that “overtakes” a person. This is what occurs when we choose to willfully give in to temptation. Eventually this sin will “take“ or “captured” us like a city is captured by an invading army or an animal is captured by a skillful hunter. The invading army plans a long siege. The hunter patiently tracks his game until it is taken. We can deceived in thinking that we can continually choose to sin without regard for the consequences. We may think we can choose at any time not to sin but in our constant and willful disregard for God’s ways we will eventually become captive to our sinful choices.
The second word for “sin” is, interestingly, used to describe Cain‘s fight with sin in Genesis 4:7. Cain was told that if he chose to do wrong then sin was “lurking at the door” ready to pounce on him. Picture a robber or mugger who lurks in dark places waiting for a victim to come his way. He pounces on the victim. He beats him and binds him. He can then easily rob him of his valuable possessions. If we walk the path of sin we will become the victim of sin. We will be beaten, bound and robbed by it.
Solomon tells his son and us how to avoid sexual sin, and by extension to avoid sin in general. He tells us to gain wisdom, knowledge and discretion; To learn to recognize the strange, immoral woman and the danger she represents; And to avoid going down the path that leads to her door.
Thanks be to God that those who find themselves captured and bound by sin need not stay captured and bound. If we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. Jesus Christ sits willing and able to free us from the bonds of sin. Isaiah 61:1 says that He is come to proclaim liberty to the captive and free those that are bound. What joy it is to be free from the bondage of sin! He wants to set you free. Walk in that freedom today!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Proverbs Chapter 4
Proverbs 4:23
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
The medical experts tell us that heart disease remains the number one killer in the US with over 900,000 dying annually of some form of this terrible disease. Yet still they say that many if not most Americans pay little attention to the health of their heart. What a tragic way to die in light of the fact that much of the heart disease that Americans die from can be prevented with changes in lifestyle and eating habits that keep our hearts healthy.
The Scriptural metaphor in this verse is uncannily accurate. A healthy heart keeps oxygen rich, life-giving blood flowing through the body. It nourishes every organ in the body and keeps it functioning properly. When this “flow of life” is interrupted it causes a number of health problems and can lead to death of the body. The spiritual heart is the seat of the Lord in the lives of believers. Out of our spiritual heart flows “the issues of life”. The energy and power to live the victorious Christian life are dependent on a healthy heart.
This idea of guarding one’s heart is so important that the writer of the Proverb uses two different words for “guard” in the first part of the verse. To keep our heart is to set a watch on it; to maintain or protect something entrusted to us. In modern terms it would be like what a person does with his well-used automobile. He must perform regular tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotations and other routine maintenance items so as to keep it running smoothly. The second word for “guard” translated “all diligence” is a noun referring to a guard like a military person guarding his post or a prison guard retaining custody of his ward. Both of these figures must hold a high degree of alertness at all times. Their jobs and sometimes their very lives depend on this alertness.
Throughout chapter 4 the writer gives us some very important admonitions to help us in guarding our heart. Again, the metaphor is clear. If we don’t “guard our heart and guard it well”, we will end up with a heart that functions at less than its intended capacity and our spiritual lives will suffer. Keep the life giving energy and power flowing. Protect your spiritual heart by diligently watching what comes into it. Guard your heart!!
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
The medical experts tell us that heart disease remains the number one killer in the US with over 900,000 dying annually of some form of this terrible disease. Yet still they say that many if not most Americans pay little attention to the health of their heart. What a tragic way to die in light of the fact that much of the heart disease that Americans die from can be prevented with changes in lifestyle and eating habits that keep our hearts healthy.
The Scriptural metaphor in this verse is uncannily accurate. A healthy heart keeps oxygen rich, life-giving blood flowing through the body. It nourishes every organ in the body and keeps it functioning properly. When this “flow of life” is interrupted it causes a number of health problems and can lead to death of the body. The spiritual heart is the seat of the Lord in the lives of believers. Out of our spiritual heart flows “the issues of life”. The energy and power to live the victorious Christian life are dependent on a healthy heart.
This idea of guarding one’s heart is so important that the writer of the Proverb uses two different words for “guard” in the first part of the verse. To keep our heart is to set a watch on it; to maintain or protect something entrusted to us. In modern terms it would be like what a person does with his well-used automobile. He must perform regular tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotations and other routine maintenance items so as to keep it running smoothly. The second word for “guard” translated “all diligence” is a noun referring to a guard like a military person guarding his post or a prison guard retaining custody of his ward. Both of these figures must hold a high degree of alertness at all times. Their jobs and sometimes their very lives depend on this alertness.
Throughout chapter 4 the writer gives us some very important admonitions to help us in guarding our heart. Again, the metaphor is clear. If we don’t “guard our heart and guard it well”, we will end up with a heart that functions at less than its intended capacity and our spiritual lives will suffer. Keep the life giving energy and power flowing. Protect your spiritual heart by diligently watching what comes into it. Guard your heart!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Proverbs Chapter 3
Proverbs 3:19
"The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens."
Years ago I built a house for my family. Most of it I did with my own two hands and a lot of sweat and blood. But the one thing I would not do myself was to pour the foundation. I wanted it to be the very best foundation so I hired the very best to do that most vital part of the entire project. Foundations are the most important aspect of any building project. This includes not only the building of houses or other large structures. It also is true of families, businesses, and governments. The stronger and more secure the foundation, the greater the chance of the “building” standing strong through any kind of stormy weather or hardship.
Genesis chapter one is “foundational” to the entire Scriptures and indeed, even to Christianity. And it is a strong foundation. “In the beginning GOD…..” Everything we as Christians believe, all our theology and our very outlook on life itself is shaped by how we view these four short words. If we cannot trust in the first four words of the Holy Scriptures, how much faith can we have in the rest of the Scriptures? Praise God we can fully trust His Word. All of it! We can trust it in Salvation, in matters of life and death and in matters of eternity. We can trust His Word for building a family, for building our business and for building a Godly life. And we can trust His Word as it relates to the Creation of our world.
Our verse this week in Proverbs 3 deals directly with this foundational issue. In His wisdom and understanding He founded or “laid the foundation” for our world and set the heavens in place. And what an amazing bit of wisdom it was! From the intricacy of the workings of a microscopic cell, to the precise balance of the earth’s position relative to the sun and other planets. From the ways of love between a man and a woman to the interactive ways of an ecological system. From the awesome splendor of snowcapped peaks to the vastness of the rolling ocean waves. All of it is amazing! All of it was and is created by the All-Wise God.
The thing that really puts the icing on the cake is that we can know this All-Wise God in a personal way through His Son Jesus Christ! In fact that is His plan. That we would know His only begotten Son and through His Son we would know Him. The Creator of Genesis chapter one, in all His vast wisdom, wants to have a deep and personal relationship with the pinnacle of His Creation. And that pinnacle is you! He wants to know you. He wants you to experience not only the majesty of His creation but the wonder of His love and grace. He wants to call you His child. If you don’t know Him, won’t you place your faith and trust in Him today? Let Him be your foundation. And then let Him build something great on that foundation.
"The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens."
Years ago I built a house for my family. Most of it I did with my own two hands and a lot of sweat and blood. But the one thing I would not do myself was to pour the foundation. I wanted it to be the very best foundation so I hired the very best to do that most vital part of the entire project. Foundations are the most important aspect of any building project. This includes not only the building of houses or other large structures. It also is true of families, businesses, and governments. The stronger and more secure the foundation, the greater the chance of the “building” standing strong through any kind of stormy weather or hardship.
Genesis chapter one is “foundational” to the entire Scriptures and indeed, even to Christianity. And it is a strong foundation. “In the beginning GOD…..” Everything we as Christians believe, all our theology and our very outlook on life itself is shaped by how we view these four short words. If we cannot trust in the first four words of the Holy Scriptures, how much faith can we have in the rest of the Scriptures? Praise God we can fully trust His Word. All of it! We can trust it in Salvation, in matters of life and death and in matters of eternity. We can trust His Word for building a family, for building our business and for building a Godly life. And we can trust His Word as it relates to the Creation of our world.
Our verse this week in Proverbs 3 deals directly with this foundational issue. In His wisdom and understanding He founded or “laid the foundation” for our world and set the heavens in place. And what an amazing bit of wisdom it was! From the intricacy of the workings of a microscopic cell, to the precise balance of the earth’s position relative to the sun and other planets. From the ways of love between a man and a woman to the interactive ways of an ecological system. From the awesome splendor of snowcapped peaks to the vastness of the rolling ocean waves. All of it is amazing! All of it was and is created by the All-Wise God.
The thing that really puts the icing on the cake is that we can know this All-Wise God in a personal way through His Son Jesus Christ! In fact that is His plan. That we would know His only begotten Son and through His Son we would know Him. The Creator of Genesis chapter one, in all His vast wisdom, wants to have a deep and personal relationship with the pinnacle of His Creation. And that pinnacle is you! He wants to know you. He wants you to experience not only the majesty of His creation but the wonder of His love and grace. He wants to call you His child. If you don’t know Him, won’t you place your faith and trust in Him today? Let Him be your foundation. And then let Him build something great on that foundation.
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