Proverbs...

Since current, personal devotions have been in Proverbs, we will attempt to share the understanding gained from the wisest man God ever graced with wisdom.

Wisdom

• (W1828)    - the right use or exercise of knowledge. 
• (Strong's)   - (H2451) in a good sense, skillful, wisely, wit. (G4678) higher or lower, worldly or spiritual (G4680) clear
• Pro 1.1-3  King Solomon states what he has received from the Lord this way;
• The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

All of the definitions noted above point to one thought: "One may have knowledge without having wisdom."  If knowledge is not used "clearly, skillfully, with good sense," it is, in fact probably not going to help in any way that pleases the Lord.  

The King goes on to explain good use of wisdom; proceeding to verses 4-9, it would be prudent to examine what the King, thru the unction of the Holy Spirit, is saying to his audience.

1. After admonishing one to wisdom in verse 3 we are instructed in v 4 to give subtilty (to tell the young ones and simple ones to 'pay attention.)
2. Then, in verse 5 quite simply stated is that a wise man will hear...and...attain unto wise counsels: It is a personal conviction that the individual has an inner voice directing the soul to 
   
   wise counsel.
3. Verse six sums up that when one hears...wise counsel (v5) there will be understanding. The soul, whether saved or unsaved, has a distinct unction from the Creator of all things, as to what is right or wrong.  Saying "I don't understand or I don't know which way to go," is usually just an excuse to do what one prefers to do. 
4. Verse seven further underscores where real knowledge is gained, the fear of the Lord. It is also pretty clear who will not yield to fear of the Lord - FOOLS! Again, it is this believers conviction that most souls have an inner sense of right and wrong.  It is the Lord's will whether to draw them to Himself or not.
5. Verse eight spoon feeds the soul on the source for wisdom and knowledge. When one will hear the instruction of (the) father and forsake not the law of (the) mother (in most cases the parents want to teach the children right), then wisdom begins to take root from knowledge of those who have "been there, done that."

The crown jewel, quite literally when knowledge is gained in the right way and used as instructed is this:  they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head.

Let's recap. Wisdom is this;

1. pay attention
2. listen
3. listen
4. go to church and hear preaching about HIM.
5. do as you are told by the ones gone before you.

God bless and keep you as you ponder your need for knowledge and wisdom.

 

 “HE WOULDN’T STAY DEAD”

in part by: Willard G. Thomas

(1933-2013)

They laid Jesus body in Joseph’s new tomb

And filled His disciples with sorrow and gloom

They did not remember what He had said

That the Jews would kill Him, but He wouldn’t stay dead

Mary came at the break of day

And found the stone was rolled away

She saw an angel and in terror fled

And told the disciples that Jesus didn’t stay dead

In that cold dark tomb He would not stay

He conquered death and walked away

And now that old graveyard has lost it’s terror and dread

He is living again! He wouldn’t stay dead

Full atonement and pardon were made

And forever the sin debt is marked fully paid

The price was His blood as it flowed crimson red

And I’m preaching all over that He didn’t stay dead!

Let’s go to our churches and cry aloud

Let’s go to the marketplace and talk to the crowd

Let’s go to the mission fields that lie up ahead

And tell the whole world that He didn’t stay dead!

Because if Jesus Christ had only died

Then the gulf between us and God would still be wide

But thank God He did what He said

He got up out of the ground, He couldn’t stay dead!

no commentary is needed because the words ring true,

true for me and true for you.

read the last two verses aloud for your measure

of the Lord's blessings giving us His treasure.

Have you "attained?" Do you "reach forward?"

 I'll give you the scripture. Then, please listen.  As a believer, is this your heart?

Philippians 3:11-14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(Message begins at 3.28)

God bless and keep you is my prayer.  Ps 57.7

Let the Redeemed...Say so

 The entire verse reads: 

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

What is it I wish to say?

Psalm 107 speaks to this weary heart.  While studying this passage several things strike me.

1. The Psalm begins as many of them do, O give thanks...He is good...His mercy endureth  for ever.
2. Four times (6, 13, 19, 28) the statement they cried...and He delivered them out of their distresses is pointed out.
3. The spiritual/physical condition is exhibited (3-5)
4. The solution is given; (7) He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Heb 13.5)
5. Then, the cry of the Psalmist heart, (8) O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and wonderful works to the children of men.

After all ones sorrows why should we still thank Him? 

• For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (9)
• "They" disobeyed in 10-12 and He saves them anyway - of course, that is who He is...they (we) cried..and He delivered (us) from all our distresses.

He is faithful, even when I am not.  Then in 22 we are reminded to sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, AND declare His works with rejoicing.  Why is this so hard to do?

• In 23-27 we see His wonders of the deep sea and the mighty winds that go to and fro like a drunken man (27).  In 29 and 30 we understand it is He alone that maketh a storm calm.
• What storm are you in, have you been in that He cannot command, Peace be still?  (Mk 4.39)
• In 33 and 34 we understand He puts rivers into a wilderness and fruitful land into barreness at His will.

Should we still praise Him even when things do not turn out as planned?

In 35-38 He reverses the hard times.

It would seem that life may not always go as planned. Yet when we cry, He delivers us out of our distresses.  He delivers by correcting the sorrow or showing the weary heart how to live with the sorrow.

Conclusion? Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. (43 - last verse)

So, this is how this believer attempts to stay encouraged in Him that he may give the desires of my heart. (Ps 37.4)

Thus, this Redeemed individual chooses to say so!

Dealing with Disappointment

Darren Rogers, Bethany Baptist Church, Pwallguam, United Kingdom 

Dealing with Disappointment

Exodus 15

We we gain victory in one moment, be prepared, disappointment is probably "just around the corner."

Exodus 15 is a song of victory from Moses.

• It will affect us personally
• We will need to encourage others
• v2 - my strength...my song...my salvation
• a song of praise and testimony
• then, v 23 came bitterness at Marah

Always the same, a great victory, then disappointment.  The wilderness or human experience.

"Great success is often followed by great failure." Usually, "when we let our guard down." Murmuring follows victory which leads to failure. See verse 24.

Moses never promoted himself as the greatest leader Israel ever had.  In fact, at the burning bush, he asked the Lord to "send someone else." (Exo 4.13)

Murmuring about the water, which is a big problem considering over one million people plus animals that needed to stay hydrated in the desert.

1. too much water at the Red Sea
2. no water in the desert
3. bitter water - could not drink it

Red Sea experiences are often followed by "Marah" or bitter experiences.  After every mountain top, one may expect a valley. However, remember "God will provide."  Bear in mind the One who brought you to this place. Following the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, God lead them to this place, not Moses. Moses merely obeyed.

Verse 25, God allows these things and provides.  Is your water bitter?  God can fix it. Our witness and testimony is not tested on the mountain top(s) but proven in the hard, dry, bitter times. Indeed it is easy to trust the Lord in the successes but what about the failures? It is difficult to like somebody when they disagree with you or just plain "get on your nerves."

"Disappointments reveal more about us than the circumstances"

-Ps 34.18-

• The model seems to be "when in doubt, blame someone else."
• "Moses, we were better off as slaves in Egypt than free men in the wilderness."
• the tendency is to focus on what is wrong in the moment rather than what He has done for us before. answered prayer is typically forgotten during the times of failure.
• murmuring and complaining leads to resentment which is like a cancer eating away inside        (Eph 4.31)

Moses did not lash out at all the murmuring and complaining.  His response? He cried unto the Lord. (verse 25).  He prayed.  Bitter water was made sweet. The tree that made bitter water sweet had been there all along.  God's solution to your disappointment(s) was "there all the time."

The tree at Marah that made bitter water sweet.

The solution to make bitter into sweet.

A truer statement has never been said, "sometimes the thing we are disappointed in will never change." But we understand the Lord can "change us." (I Pet 5.7)

"God is the Master of reversing hurts"

Look at Joseph in Genesis 37.  Sold into slavery and treated unjustly by family and friends, so-called. He could have become bitter and gotten revenge. Yet in the end he forgave and was restored.  He had to wait a long time but was rewarded in his patience and forgiving heart. (Gen 50.20)

• Verse 27 demonstrates an oasis in the middle of the great Sinai desert.  "All the water they could want." 
• "A place of rest and restoration."
•  How far was Elam from Marah? "Just around the corner!" Just a few steps away from giving up! 
• Too close to victory and often we give up too quick.

There is an oasis in your disappointment when you wait on the Lord to change you even if He does not change the circumstance.

Wait, I say, on the Lord

-Ps 27.14-

How long should a believer wait? Keep going! Past the frustrations, bitterness and disappointment.  Elam was a few steps from Marah.  "Just around the corner."  Not the time to "throw in the towel."  Take it to the Lord.  Perseverance is a hallmark testimony for every believer.

God bless and keep you is our prayer.