Knowing God - The Lord is on Your Side

Ps 118:6

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear:

what can man do unto me?

The Lord is on My Side

This verse lets us know that fear is related to feeling we are outnumbered - outnumbered by people, circumstances, demands or needs.  This verse tells us that the Lord is on your side.  When a team has the best player on it, those who are less skilled still feel like they will win because the best player is on their side.  Ladies, the Lord is on your side.  It doesn’t matter how poorly you do, He is on your side.  This would be a great truth to proclaim when you feel intimidated or like you are losing.  Don’t just say it though.  Speak it, believing! 

Proverbs - Our Attitude Towards the Poor

Proverbs 17:5

                                                                     

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

We can grow weary of the demands around us.  People in need are always there.  The poor we will always have with us.  We must never be glad at the calamities in a poor person’s life even if it is their own fault.  The Lord takes this very seriously and we must not slip into this.  Many times due to an addiction or laziness people may find themselves in need.  It is not our place to mock them but instruct them and look to their Maker to rescue them from such patterns.  Others find themselves in need due to health issues or even being a victim of someone’s selfish gain.  When we meet someone in need let us be cautious in our response.  Let us be sympathetic to their plight regardless of the cause and ask the Lord what our part is.  Let us never be high minded but humble and know that their Maker is watching out for them.

Proverbs - Listening to Lies

Proverbs 17:4

                                                                     

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips;

and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

When we are doing something that the Lord doesn’t want us to do and consistently doing it, we are giving heed to false lips.  There is some sort of lie that we believe every time we choose to obey that temptation or go beyond the boundaries we know the Lord has for us.  It would be a good thing to ask the Lord to reveal what sort of lies we believe in our hearts that are empowering us to go in the way of wickedness.  The next time we find ourselves in a place where compromise might be approaching, let us listen to what sort of lies are being spoken to us.  Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should speak the truth and obey that.  The devil is the father of all lies and it is with a lie he brought down Eve.  We, as women, should learn from her and remember that if lies worked in the past, lies can work in the future.  We should rather hear the truth and obey it!

Knowing God - He is With Us!

Josh 1:5

 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The Lord Wants to Affirm Our Leadership

The Lord didn’t just command Joshua what to do and how to do it, the Lord assured Joshua of His presence, help and commitment to Joshua and this call.  The Lord never intended us to carry out any sort of work without a complete dependence upon His presence, power and peace.  He wants to live through us.  Christ in us is the hope of glory.  We are privileged to be born at a time when the Holy Spirit does not dwell in a temple or tabernacle made with human hands but in our actual bodies.  We, like Joshua, should face our roles as moms, wives, employees, students etc, knowing that the Lord will be with us, not fail us and not let us down.  We can walk in those things that seem quite overwhelming if we remember that He is with us and for us.  If the Lord is with us, WHO can be against us?

Knowing God - The Lord Speaks When Things Change

Josh 1:1

 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

                              The Lord Speaks When Things Change

Moses had led the people of God out of Egypt, through the wilderness and up to the point of going in and possessing the land.  Generations had come to respect and know Moses’ leadership.  Then he dies.  Joshua worked side by side with Moses and I am sure he was saddened by his death and a bit concerned with how things were going to go now that he was gone.  The Lord spoke to Joshua after the death of Moses.  He gave Joshua time to grieve, time to mourn and time to accept this loss.  Then the Lord began to give direction and plans to Joshua.  When we face such changes, take the time to mourn and accept, but remember that the Lord wants to speak to us about His plans in something that has taken us often by surprise.  It may be shocking to us, but the Lord knew it was going to happen and He has something to say to us about it.  Take the time to listen as the Lord speaks to you after something major rocks your world.

Proverbs - The Lord Tries Our Hearts

Proverbs 17:3

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold:

 but the Lord trieth the hearts.

There is a tool used in refining precious metals that takes the impurities out of them so that purer gold and silver comes forth.  This fining pot is heated up and from the temperature the elements that are not pure come to the top and are able to be removed by the goldsmith.  Here the Lord, Himself, is likened to the fining pot.  He is the One who can have the same effect on our hearts.  Our hearts can have hidden hurts, bitterness, pride, confusion or pride.  These things are not to be part of the clean heart the Lord desires within us.  When we spend time in His presence and pour out our hearts before Him, His holy fire will begin to search us and that which should be confessed and forsaken often comes to the surface.

There is no fear in love and the fire of His presence is never to be feared.  Anything He wishes to reveal to us is intended for our good and His glory.  As we grow in the knowledge of Him, that which is not pure within us begins to be obvious and we will gladly renounce it and seek Him to cleanse us.  Sometimes we believe that the Lord is dealing with actions when it is the heart behind them He wishes to purify.  

Knowing God - The Lord, Our Deliverer

                                                    Col 1:13        

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The Lord, Our Deliverer

We didn’t always realize we actually held captive by the power of darkness.  The Lord has delivered us from the power of darkness.  It was His doing and it was His work that did this for us.  The Lord is a deliverer.  We can look to Him to get us out of things that are too much for us.  He can not only deliver us out of them but then put us in the place we need to be.  He has the wisdom, power and resources to do this.  Maybe you are in a place where you feel trapped.  Look to Him – your deliverer and the One who can put you in a better place.

The Lord, Our Deliverer

                                                      Col 1:13        

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The Lord, Our Deliverer

We didn’t always realize we actually held captive by the power of darkness.  The Lord has delivered us from the power of darkness.  It was His doing and it was His work that did this for us.  The Lord is a deliverer.  We can look to Him to get us out of things that are too much for us.  He can not only deliver us out of them but then put us in the place we need to be.  He has the wisdom, power and resources to do this.  Maybe you are in a place where you feel trapped.  Look to Him – your deliverer and the One who can put you in a better place.

Proverbs - Servants vs. Sons

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,

and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

The key to being raised up in responsibility and service is what we do, not what position we currently hold.  Here the Lord is letting us know that promotion will be given to those who can carry out the task best.  Here we see that we can be given opportunities that seem reserved for the elite, by being someone who doesn’t cause shame and walks in wisdom.

In our home, workplace or ministry we must make it a goal to walk in wisdom and bring honor to those who rule over us.  When we do this we are a blessing to those we serve and when our name comes up, faithfulness and diligence will be associated with it.

Knowing God - The Lord is Our Help

Psalm 33:20

Our soul waiteth for the LORD:

he is our help and our shield.

The Lord is Our Help

The Lord is our help because He knows we need it.  Have you ever tried to lift something and it was just too heavy or awkward for you to lift?  We know we need to call on the name of someone who is able to help us lift it.  We don’t call on our two-year-old.  We don’t call out to our relative in another city.  We call on the name of someone who is able to help – someone who is near and someone who is able.  The Lord is able to help.  Here, He is called ‘our help’.  Don’t be so stubborn and self-reliant.  He is your help today.

Ask Him to help and watch the unique and loving ways He proves Himself to you.

Proverbs - Better!

Proverbs 17:1

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,

than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

This particular proverb is contrasting two different meals.  One is a meal that consists of a dry piece of bread and the other has all kinds of meats cooked wonderfully and laid out to be enjoyed.  The other contrast is that the first meal is one in which there is peace and a sense of tranquility.  The other meal has frustration, complaining and contention.   God tells us that the first one is better.

Ladies, if preparing a ‘wonderful’ meal makes you a major pain in the you-know-what, it is not worth it.  If what you are preparing is causing you to strive and order everyone around, pride is most likely in your heart.  You need to downsize and reduce your goal. 

Better are grilled cheese sandwiches with a happy mom than barbecued ribs and a frustrated cook.   Better are quesadillas on paper towels with joy than homemade enchiladas with an angry wife.  Better is a bowl of cereal with peace than marinated top sirloin with a resentful mama.  When planning your meals, still your heart and prepare it before you prepare the meal.

Knowing God - The Lord Can Keep Us Alive

Psalm 33:19

To deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

The Lord Can Keep Us Alive

The Lord’s eye is on us as we fear Him to deliver us from death and keep us alive in famine.  He can show us the way out and He can send what we need to sustain us in times of great need and dire circumstances.  As we hope in His mercy we will see His deliverance and recognize His provisioning.  He wants to show Himself faithful to us and we are to thoroughly anticipate His deliverance and keeping power in our lives.  Death and famine are no match for our God.

Proverbs - Watch Him Work!

Proverbs 16:33

 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Some things seem to happen by chance but truly the Lord is in these events as well.  Our days can take directions that seem haphazard and non-directed but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.  When we commit our days to Him, for His glory and purposes, we can sit back and enjoy watching His sovereign hand in all we face.  We are not victims.  We are His vessels and He places us in situations and environments with purpose in mind.  As you go throughout this day, remember that nothing is of chance to the child of God and look for His purposes in those happenstances. 

Knowing God - His Eye is on Those Who Fear Him

Psalm 33:18

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him,

 upon them that hope in his mercy;

His Eye is on Those Who Fear Him

When we are making it our aim to respond to life in a way that pleases the Lord, His eye is upon us in a unique and safeguarding way.  His mercy is something we can hope in.  He can take anything we have done or others have done and turn it around in a most surprising and powerful way.  We must be much more in awe of who God is and what He can do than the choices and events caused by people or that which befalls us in this life.  We must fear HIM!  We must be a people who live our lives in a way that we are confident that His eye is upon us as we concern ourselves with His plans in a situation and His ability to show mercy through it all.  We are commanded here to actually behold that His eye is on us if we are doing these things.  Lord, I believe that as I fear you and hope in your mercy, your eye is upon ME!  I am safe, guarded and being directed by You!

Proverbs - Slow to Anger

Proverbs 16:32

 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;

and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Our culture esteems loud and pushy people as mighty and often influential.  The Lord tells us that the one who can put their anger in submission to Him, will be called mighty and the one who can rule their own spirit will accomplish great victories.  When we are around our children, husbands or co-workers we may find ourselves provoked or slowly boiling by different triggers.   These are the times we must call upon the Lord asking Him to rule over us and hence we can rule over our own spirits and reactions.  We are never forced to blow up or give in to wrath. 

When Jesus came into the temple and knocked over the tables, he did something interesting first.  John 2:14-15 tells us this: “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple…” When he found something was not what it should be, he did not react suddenly.  He made this scourge of small cords.  He got the materials together; he focused on making it and then proceeded with reaction and discipline. 

When we are provoked, perhaps justifiably, we should rule over our spirits and not react in haste.  Consider what sort of reaction should be woven together.  Let our response be designed by the Lord so that the reaction is from Him and our response pleases Him. 

Knowing God - He Makes Our Hearts Alike

Psalm 33:15

He fashioneth their hearts alike;

 he considereth all their works.

The Lord Made Our Hearts Alike

The Lord has made all people’s hearts alike.  We all started out with the same propensity to sin and the same propensity to have the light of the glory of God shine in our hearts through the face of Jesus Christ.  The Lord knows our hearts and the hearts of those around us.  He has made us and He can heal us.  He considers our works and connects those to our hearts.  We can be in a place where our hearts are producing the actions that demonstrate His presence within us.  As the Lord searches our works, He desires to connect that back to matters of the heart.  The next time the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sinful deed or attitude, you might ask Him to show you the heart of the matter.  This way, the Lord can get to the root of the problem and transform you from the inside out.

Proverbs - The Wisdom of Age

Proverbs 16:31

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

A hoary head means a head with grey hair.  This proverb is telling us that age is a crown of glory.  There is a condition though.  This age must be accompanied with the way of righteousness.  If someone lives a long life in rebellion to God and in the bitterness of their own thinking, the grey head is not a crown of glory.  When we meet an elderly brother or sister in Christ who is living for the Lord, we had best stop and listen.  They have a perspective we do not have and their counsel and observations are highly valuable.  They have seen the faithfulness of God and know the brevity of life.  They know they are close to seeing the Lord face to face and their insight is rooted in eternity.  Lord, bring us those saints who will give to us perspective and wisdom rooted in age accompanied with righteousness.

Knowing God - God is Positioned

Psalm 33:14

From the place of his habitation

 he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

God is Positioned

God is positioned in his habitation.  He is not aimlessly floating through His creation.  His throne is established and He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  There is nothing hidden from Him and He is positioned above all that people do and plan.  As we approach our God today we can rest knowing that He is positioned and able to send wisdom and direction because He sees it all.  When we seek Him concerning a particular situation we can be confident that He knows every detail and every heart.  If we feel shaken or almost moved out of our place, we can take great comfort in knowing that the Lord is looking from a place where He dwells quite securely and authoritatively.  He sees you.  He sees me.  Yes, He sees them!  Let this truth give you great peace as you draw near to Him asking Him to lead you and order your steps.

Proverbs - Who are You Hanging With?

Proverbs 16:29-30

A violent man enticeth his neighbour,

and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things:

moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Who we hang around with is very important.  If someone in our lives tends to lead us into the way that is not good, we had best not follow and seek better company.  This type of friend is called violent and they like to entice people to go in directions that are not good.  Many evil choices seem to beckon for companionship.  Going there alone is not always what someone wants to do.   Perhaps having someone along helps the people justify their actions and share the blame.  Stay sober and alert.  The enemy is seeking to devour you and often will try to use people around you. Ask the Lord to search your friendships and bring those who call upon Him out of pure heart into your life.  Don’t feel you owe anyone your submission.  Submit to God and follow Him!

Knowing God - The Lord Sees Every Person

Psalm 33:13

The LORD looketh from heaven;

he beholdeth all the sons of men.

The Lord Sees Every Person

Sometimes we find ourselves dealing with people and relationships that can be quite difficult.  Perhaps we have a husband who is involved in things that grieve our hearts or children whom we suspect are involved in actions that can bring them harm and dishonor us.

The Lord looks from heaven.  The Lord beholds ALL the sons of men.  Nothing is hidden from him and we can approach him in prayer knowing He sees all and knows all.  This should give us quite a confidence when presenting people we love to Him.  We needn’t explain in explicit detail nor give a conclusive request because we don’t see everything.  He does.  Let us come with our cares and requests, knowing that He is looking and beholding.  He will take care of the rest.

Proverbs - Repeat or Not Repeat

Proverbs 16:27-28

 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Sometimes we can get information that is not meant to be repeated.  We may think that if information makes its way to our ears we must deliver it to all those who are affected by it or involved in it.  This is not so.  Before we repeat something to someone, we should stop and ask the Lord if this information will build up or is it a juicy morsel the adversary wants to use to separate the closest of friends.  Information is not always given to us in order to inform others.  Information could be given that we might pray over a situation or perhaps learn for ourselves from some sort of situation.  Let us not dig up evil.  Let us not ask questions that the Lord has not asked us to search out.  Let us not use a confidence to sow seeds of division and discouragement.

Knowing God - He Considers Us Valuable

Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

God Considers Us Valuable

Although Israel has a distinct place in God’s plan and favor, those of us who are in Christ are a holy nation.  We who were once not a people are now a people.  He has chosen us for his own inheritance.  He wants us and considers us as valuable as an inheritance.  An inheritance is supposed to be used wisely and hopefully will yield returns and not squandered on momentary pleasures.  Since we are blessed and considered His inheritance we would do well to come before Him and ask Him what He thinks is a good use of His inheritance.  Be open and flexible.  When we follow Him we will find ourselves seeing quite a return on a life invested in that which He considers valuable and important.

Proverbs - Hunger Produces Discipline

Proverbs 16:26

He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

When someone is hungry for something, they are motivated to do what it takes to fill that hunger.  If someone knows they need to make money to buy food for themselves, they can make it through their tasks diligently and with a sense of ownership.  They want to keep their job because they know that their daily bread is coming from that source.  We must hunger for more of the Lord so that those same disciplines a laborer has will be in our lives in our pursuit of the things of God.  If we don’t hunger for righteousness we might not labor in a disciplined way.  This hunger comes from asking the Lord for the hunger and from walking in works He has called us to where we need an intake in order to keep giving.  If you have not been hungering for God, stop and ask Him for this hunger.  Examine your day and see if His kingdom is in the list of things to do and then seek Him for opportunities to pour your life into others for His sake.

Knowing God - The Counsel of the Lord Stands

Psalm 33:11

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever,

 the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

The Counsel of the Lord Stands

Public opinion changes.  Personal opinion varies in different seasons of our lives.  We can get different advice from different people depending on their moods and feelings.  It is good to know that the Lord’s counsel stands forever.  His counsel works in all cultures, for all ages and for all people.  This is why looking to Him is so needed and valuable.  Even if everyone around us is going with popular opinion, we would be wise to take heed to His counsel.  His counsel is rooted in His heart and His heart is full of love and understanding.  He has designed us and He knows what works and what doesn’t.  As moms, we should share His counsel to the next generation knowing it will never lose its validity or value.

Proverbs - Do What is Good

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

It is important for us to know that our evaluation of our decisions is not always accurate.  Our decisions can seem right but the end of that choice could be death.  This is where the Word of God and good godly counsel comes in.  We should not trust ourselves.  Seeking God’s affirmation or redirection through His Word is so important.  Running our decisions by that person who loves the Lord and loves us will help us avoid certain mistakes.  Certain rivers look calm and beautiful but there might be a deadly drop up ahead.  A quaint road might have a bridge out ahead.  God is the one who was, is and is to come.  He will help us make choices that have an expected end.

Knowing God - Multitudes Make No Difference

Psalm 33:10

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Our God is Not Intimidated

Our God is not intimidated nor restricted by what humans decide to implement.  Even if many people agree, vote or concur on something, our God is able to bring it to nothing.  The plans of those who don’t know Him are no match for our God.  He is able to make them never come to pass.  Consider the plans of Haman to wipe out the Jewish people.  Consider Pharaoh’s army and their plans to overtake the exiting Jewish captives.  Consider the cross and its attempt to silence the Messiah.  Consider the prison that held Paul and Silas.  Our God is much bigger than armies, stronger than prison cells, more intelligent than noblemen’s strategies and greater than any sort of plan against you and me.  Thank you Lord for You are great and mighty and you are not threatened by the plans of those you created.

Proverbs - Pleasant Words

Proverbs 16:24

 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Words are very powerful.  A word spoken at just the right time can enter into our lives and carry us through so much.  Honeycomb was considered a treat and brought much needed strength to those who might be travelling through a barren region with only minimum supplies.  When the traveler would find the honeycomb and drink in the sweet substance, strength would come in and the dreary, dusty path became more pleasant with a pleasurable experience in the midst of their journey.  When we seek the Lord to cause the words of our mouth to be pleasant we can have this sort of impact on those traveling around us.  When we wake up our children in the morning, we can speak pleasant words.  When our husbands come home from work, we can speak pleasant words.  When we answer our phones, our tone can be pleasant and sweet.  When we come before that cashier we can speak words that will be sweet to their soul and health to their bones.  May the Lord touch our tongues today and may the words we speak be pleasant, sweet and health.

Knowing God - The Lord's Word is Final

Psalm 33:9

For he spake, and it was done;

he commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord’s Word is Final

The Lord’s Word is final.  What He says – stands.  The Lord commands and things stand firm.  This ought to produce in us a great sense of excitement when discovering His truth in His Word.  Whatever the Lord says is true and we don’t need to doubt or dissect it in order to see it come to pass.  Our souls thirst for stability and truth.  This can be found in His promises and counsel.  If we need advice for any area of our lives, we can find it in His written Word.  We will build our homes with material that endures the winds, waves and storms of this life when our homes are built according to what the Lord says.  When you and I go to His Word, we are in a place to receive enduring truths that cause our lives to be stable and sturdy.

Proverbs - Handling a Matter Wisely

Proverbs 16:20-23

 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:

and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

 The wise in heart shall be called prudent:

and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:

but the instruction of fools is folly.

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,

and addeth learning to his lips.

In order to handle a matter wisely we must trust in the Lord.  If we are depending on ourselves or anyone else, foolish plans could arise and we may very well tear down our own house.  A prudent wife is from the Lord and we will be this kind of woman if we are wise in heart.  This is a heart that treasures God’s view on all matters.  When our hearts are wise, our lips will speak things that instruct and guide.  Our children will be trained and our husbands will be helped.  When we are understanding women, seeking His guidance, we will be that wellspring of life to those who surround us.  If we are angry, stubborn women, we will contribute to others’ demise.  Our hearts must find rest in knowing what God says is wise and then our lips will speak forth wisdom and our homes will be built strong.

Knowing God - The Lord is Someone to Awe

Psalm 33:8

Let all the earth fear the LORD:

 let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

The Lord is Someone to Awe

Our God is worthy to be someone we stand in awe of.  He is powerful.  He is the Creator.  He is the judge of all the earth.  He holds the key to eternal life and He alone is pure and holy in all He does.  As we approach the day, it would be wise for us to pause and consider the position and power of our God.  As we do we should not only be in a place of awe that leads to a healthy relationship of deserved obedience but a place of safety knowing this God is our Father and the One who purchased us by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Fear the Lord.  Stand in awe of Him.  Begin to speak of His character and worship Him in truth.  You and I will find ourselves in a sober state of mind as we exalt the Lord and worship at His feet.

Proverbs - Destruction and Pride

Proverbs 16:18-19

 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Humility is something we are responsible for.  We are told over and over again to humble ourselves.  Like a helium balloon, our old nature keeps pushing us up in our own estimation of ourselves.  It is better to be of this humble spirit.  It is better to be with people and in environments that don’t exude such grandeur than to be in place where people praise themselves.  The Lord keeps telling us in this book of wisdom what is better than something else.  We would be wise to believe Him.  When we are stubborn or consider that we deserve something, we are setting ourselves up for destruction and falling.  If we are already on our faces, we cannot fall.   If we are on our faces, He can lift us up. Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in order to have Him exalt us.

Knowing God - The Sea is a Drop in the Bucket

Psalm 33:7

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap:

he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

The Sea is a Drop in the Bucket to the Lord

The Lord is in charge of all the oceans.  He controls their boundaries and gives the waters the right amount of space to fill and support the life within it.  This helps us to know that the Lord is in charge of the different waves of life that come our way.  He will tell them they can only go so far and He is much bigger than the deepest times of tragedy and darkness.  If our God is able to take all of the waters of all of the seas and gather them together the way we pick up around the house, how could we not begin to trust our God with the most intimidating of circumstances?  He controls the oceans.  He is over those things that seem too deep and big for us.

Proverbs - Highway of Holiness

Proverbs 16:17

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil:

he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

A highway is a road that is designed for travel away from day to day life with the least amount of interruptions as possible.  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.  When we are tempted or are exposed to that which God considers evil, our highway is to make a decision and depart from it.  We don’t need to analyze it, consider it, explore it or understand it.  Rather, we must depart from it.  Turn off that television.  Get in that car and go.  Walk out of the room.  As we spend our days guarding our ways, we will preserve our soul.   Our soul includes our emotions and intellect.  When we watch where we are going, we will not have to deal with unnecessary decay and corruption to our hearts or our minds.  Lord, use Your word today to light our highway and may Your Holy Spirit show us how to guard our ways.

Knowing God - Go's Word Creates

Psalm 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

The Lord’s Words Create

The Word of the Lord creates.  His breath fills all He makes.  When we expose ourselves to the Word of the Lord, we will find new things created within us.  Where maybe we were once lazy and slothful, we may find a brand new zest for labor.  Where we were once weary and discouraged, we may find a resolve and fortitude that wasn't there before.  Where we were once annoyed or bothered by someone, we may find ourselves affectionate and fond of them.  The Word of the Lord has creative qualities.  Reading the Word is not just a discipline designed to give us instruction but can actually create things within us that once were not there!   THAT is good news and should cause us to take in His Word with an even greater excitement and anticipation.

Proverbs - Seek Not to be Rich

Proverbs 16:16

                                                         

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!

and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Sometimes money can be tempting to put on the throne of our lives.  We may agree to certain commitments just because we are getting paid for them.  This could lead to missing the gathering of the brethren, or getting to bed too late to be close with our husbands, or being gone when our children are at home without us.  The wisdom the Lord wants to give us is more valuable than gold and understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.  This means that money alone should not determine our commitments or priorities.  Wisdom will evaluate the value of a pursuit or commitment and when we obey wisdom we are richer than we would have been no matter what dollar figure is affected.  Seek not to be rich.  Seek to listen and obey Him.

Knowing God - The Lord's Goodness Fills the Earth

Psalm 33:5b

…the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

The Lord’s Goodness Fills the Earth

The devourer is active and destroying so many lives and things on this earth.  We can begin to focus on this and end up missing out on the fact that the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.  Do you believe this?  Well….let’s hide this scripture in our hearts today and trust that it will illuminate His goodness throughout our day that we might otherwise miss out on.  Look around and behold His goodness.  Don’t let the enemy blind you to His goodness, power and magnificence!  Open your eyes and behold how good our God is.  I trust that today we will see things we would not have seen as we expect to see His goodness.  Then we will be greatly encouraged that our God, yes, our God, is good and over all!

Proverbs - The Mama King

Proverbs 16:12-15

 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:

for the throne is established by righteousness.

 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
and they love him that speaketh right.

 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death:

but a wise man will pacify it.

 In the light of the king's countenance is life;

and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Look at this as a mother, who is ‘king’ over her children and you will understand this even better.

Wickedness, wrong choices are an abomination to the mother.  When people are doing what is right, the position of mother is exalted. When people are speaking the truth and what is right, mom is delighted. Moms love to hear the voices under them speaking right thing. When mom is upset those under her are ready to receive punishment. A wise child will admit to what is wrong and mom will settle down. When mom is blessed by her children, everyone under her comes out ahead. When mom is proud of her children it is refreshing to be around her.

Proverbs - Weighing

Proverbs 16:11

A just weight and balance are the Lord's:

all the weights of the bag are his work.

To evaluate something properly we must have good judgment.  In bible times scales were instruments that had a weight on one side and a small plate on the other on which to put a substance and compare it to the weight of the bag.  It was called a balance.  When the two were even with each other, a consumer was to feel confident that he purchased that weight of whatever he was getting. 

There were swindlers in those days that would perhaps remove some stones from the bag and deceive the buyer into paying for more than they were receiving.  This was an unjust weight.  When we are weighing things in our own lives we must remember that the weights of the bag are His work.  We are capable of putting too much weight on one thing and disregarding something as less meaningful than it is really is.  By staying in His Word and having the weight of the Word determine the weight of everything else, we will have the just balance that gives us a proper weight of all we face and encounter.

Knowing God - The Loves These Two Things

Psalm 33:5a

He loveth righteousness and judgment:…

The Lord Loves These Two Things

When we love someone we want to give them things they love.  Maybe your husband loves homemade chocolate chip cookies.  My husband loves jello!  I try to make it to give him what he loves.  The Lord loves righteousness and judgment. When we determine to do things His way and evaluate things in the light of His standards, the Lord loves this.  We aren’t supposed to be primarily motivated to do the right things in order to have a blessed life for ourselves.  It should be our desire to honor and please Him.  If you find yourself struggling with a sin, seek to overcome it with His help, to give Him something He loves.  When the love of Christ constrains us, we will find resources and power not easily found in the self effort of trying to do the right thing.