Knowing God - God is Holy

Rev 4:8

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Here we get a glimpse into heaven and we see these beasts saying day and night, “Holy, holy, holy…”  It is kind of neat to see that there are three ‘holies’ being said.  We could consider the fact that the throne of God would be that which exalts the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  This would make sense that there would be three expressions of ‘holy’ to our God.  The Lord has this praise going on at all times in His presence.  Isn’t it neat that we can join in at anytime and be a part of the ongoing worship time that is going on in the heavens?  Our God is holy.  He does ALL things so perfectly.  When we cry out and tell the Lord that He is holy, we declare how wonderful and perfect our Lord is.  Let us remember to worship the Triune God and realize that He is holy.  Let us join in with the unceasing praise and tell our God how holy He is.

Proverbs - God is Not Mocked

Proverbs 26:10

The great God that formed all things both

rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

God formed everything so everything belongs to God.  He is the One who determines the law of sowing and reaping.  He determines what happens when we choose wisdom or foolishness and He has been quite generous in His instructions and warnings.  He rewards the fool and rewards the transgressor.  A transgressor is a sinner who violates the boundaries the Lord has clearly set and a fool is one who recklessly lives too close to those boundaries.  Both of these people will see direct results from their choices.  We cannot live either of these lives and not expect to have the results.  God is not mocked.  Whatever a man plants, that he will reap.  We must remember this when faced with the temptation to live foolishly or sinfully.  Our great God who formed all things rewards the fool and the transgressor.

Knowing God - His Kingdom Rules Over ALL

Ps 103:19

 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

The Lord’s kingdom rules over all.  It doesn’t matter whether someone believes in the Lord, His kingdom will still rule over them.  We may choose to ignore the laws of gravity and jump out of a building but the laws still apply to us.  We just didn’t want to submit to those laws so we suffered needlessly.  The Lord’s throne is established and what He says is sin, is sin.  What He says will destroy us, will destroy us.  The more we know of His ways, the more protected we will be if we submit respectfully and obediently to them.  The Lord is the One who determines right and wrong.  His kingdom rules over all.  Let us willingly come under His rule and enjoy the safety and protection His covering gives us.

Proverbs - A Parable from a Fool

Proverbs 26:9

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

When someone is seriously intoxicated, they don’t necessarily feel certain pain.  A drunken person can have a thorn in their hand and not even notice it.  When a message intended to give instruction is sent in the mouth of a fool, people won’t even notice the potency or strength in the message.  This is why it is very important that we live as wise women.   When we are living wisely we can give our children and those around us truth and it will be given with strength and power.   The truth we share will be backed up by lives that are built upon that truth.  We won’t be foolish women trying to give parables and instruction that seem pointless and innocuous to our listeners.  As we continue learning the difference between foolish and wise living in the book of Proverbs we will be better equipped to speak the truth and live the truth. The Lord tells us in Hebrews 13:7-8, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you, considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”  The Lord considers the conduct of the messenger and equates the effectiveness of the truth with the example.  As we consider this warning, it should help us not only open our mouths with wisdom but build our lives with it.

Proverbs - Whom Deserves Honor?

Proverbs 26:8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Giving honor to someone who is doing something foolish according to God’s standards is like binding a stone in a sling.  You are setting up a possible occasion of wounding and offense.  We don’t want to give ammunition to the enemy to hurl unnecessary pain and affliction upon other people.  One way to avoid this is by not giving honor to a fool.  We don’t praise foolish decisions, we don’t look up to a foolish woman and we certainly don’t espouse foolish responses as ‘clever’ or ‘quick’.  We must understand foolishness and regard it as something we don’t want to be nor regard in any sort of honorable way.  We must grow in our discretion and recognize foolishness by the guidelines of the Word of God in order to avoid this great mistake. 

Knowing God - He is the God of ALL Nations

Ps 86:9-10

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

God is the God of ALL nations.  He is not a just a Jewish God.  He is not an American God.  He is not a Mexican God.  He is the God of All nations.  This is why we must be careful when interpreting His character in the light of our culture.  We must remember that He works in ALL cultures.  His Word is not to be preached to other nations with a cultural slant of our own.  The glorious news about Jesus Christ is that He came to save the whole world.  The message of salvation is not to be encased in a nation’s ideals but to presented in light of eternal truths applicable to ALL men EVERYWHERE!  Even the Lord’s covenant with Israel was intended to demonstrate to the nations that surrounded Israel how wonderful Jehovah is!  Rejoice today and maybe pray for some people in another country to know the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done for them and their nation!

Knowing God - He Took Time To Grieve

Matt 14:13

 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Jesus heard how John the Baptist was beheaded.  When he heard this, Jesus departed to a place away from ministry, crowds and responsibilities.  Jesus was fully human.  Jesus sets an example for us in this response to the horrific death of his cousin.  He shows us that we may need to set aside some time to grieve and process losses and horrific news.  Jesus made a choice to be alone with His Father after such news.   We are allowed to grieve and we are more than allowed time to process things apart from social obligations.  If you get bad news and you sense a desire to get away for a while, Jesus’ example frees us to pursue this.  

Proverbs - Fools and Messages

Proverbs 26:6-7

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Both of these proverbs let us know that sending a message by a fool is not a good thing.  We can actually end up causing harm and sending the wrong message.  This reminds us to be cautious when choosing someone to give a message.  If the person seems to be a bit of a fool on the other line of a phone call, we’d best call back and leave the message on the voice mail or answering machine.  Also, when asking someone to represent us to anyone, we should evaluate if this person tends to be a fool.  Remember some of the attributes of a fool?  They vent all they feel, they tend to be slothful, often blame others and are usually right in their own eyes.  If we see these things in someone we should refrain from sending any sort of message through them.  If we do, it will be like cutting off the feet.  The message really won’t arrive and damage could be done.

Knowing God - He Delivers With Gladness

Ps 105:43

 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

It is wonderful to realize that when the Lord wants to deliver us, He intends the deliverance to result in joy and gladness.  Oftentimes it is difficult at first to leave a land of slavery in our lives.  We might have a trademark sin that we keep falling into and it almost feels comforting because it is so familiar.  When we stop running to that idol and are starved of its familiar comfort, we may find ourselves frustrated, angry, lost and sad.  This is predictable and it is temporary.  When we are finally freed from the sin’s constant bombardment of promises of pleasure, we will find ourselves glad and joyful.  The Lord will bring his people out of these lands of slavery to a place where enduring joy thrives.  Remember, sorrow may last for a moment but joy comes in the morning.  

Proverbs - Answering a Fool

Proverbs 26:4-5

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

These two proverbs seem like a contradiction but they are not.  They are telling us that sometimes when you answer a fool according to his folly, he can see how foolish he is being.  Other times, if you answer him this way, you lower yourself to a standard that the Lord would not want.  How do you know which one to do?  You must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  The Word of God is not a law book that can work without the leading of the One who wrote it.  It is called the ‘sword of the Spirit’ because only He has the ability to know how and when to use the Word of God in the most effective manner.  There are cults and false religions that use the Word of God to support the most blasphemous lifestyles and doctrines.  Satan used the Word of God against Jesus in the wilderness.  When dealing with a fool, we can get quite riled up and either get pulled into their foolishness or try to come at them with sound wisdom.  Sometimes one will work and sometimes the other.  We must remain quiet in our spirits and seek to respond as the Holy Spirit leads.  This will be the most effective response whether it is one or the other. 

Knowing God - He is a Triune God

1 John 5:7

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Our God is a triune God – a God who has an identity in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We are to worship and know Him according to truth.  This truth is determined by who He is.  Who He is has been revealed in His written Word, in the manifestation of God in Christ, in creation and through a continued revelation by the manifestations of His Holy Spirit.  In this scripture, the Lord has clearly revealed His nature.  These three are one.  How does that work?  I cannot clearly explain the One who created the mind which I use to understand, but I do have something that helps a little.  The scriptures tell us that we are made in His image.  The Lord explains a bit about us in this verse.  Paul says, “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess 5:23) We see that we are triune beings.  We have a spirit, soul and body.  Our body speaks to us and tells us when we are hungry.  Our spirit is that which has been made alive and is now to rule our bodies and souls.  Our soul is that which, thinks, feels and makes decisions. All three of these make up who we are.  They are not independent.  They work together.  Although the triune God is much more complex than I could clearly outline, I think this truth of being made in His image helps us have a better grasp of how three can be one.

Proverbs - Fools Need Correction

Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

Fools need outside consequences to awaken their inner conscience.  A fool often has a hardened heart and needs to feel the pain associated with his choice to begin to instruct him the way he should go.  If our children are foolish and disregard the voice of instruction, we need to consider what sort of ‘rod’ to use to correct them and put them back.  Even if they don’t get the deep truth behind our admonition, the fear of the ‘rod’ should help protect them and guide them to safety.  This could be a ‘time out’, restriction, ‘swat’, or some other bridle, but it is intended to protect the fool from his own bents.  If you deal with a fool who is under your authority, don’t expect them to turn from their ways based on words alone.  Prepare consequences, clearly explained, that they might be inclined to choose well and avoid the natural consequences of foolishness down the road.

Knowing God - It is ALL His

1 Chron 29:11

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

King David says this as they are getting things ready to build the temple.  King David would not build the temple but he could get things ready for the construction.  After all the gold, silver and materials are gathered, David begins to express the greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty of the Lord.  He proclaims that all this is in heaven and in earth is the Lord’s.  No matter what beautiful things we have been allowed to enjoy, ALL that is in heaven and earth is His and He is exalted as head above all.  When we have an opportunity to see beautiful things our eyes must stay on the One who made it all.  Our Lord is to be exalted as head over all.  He is greater than kings.   He is more glorious than gold.  He is greater than any sort of craftsmanship.  He is majestic and all we enjoy is because He has made all things.  Let us glorify Him in the times of material blessing and pleasure.  Let us exalt Him above all.

Proverbs - A Curse Causeless

Proverbs 26:2

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,

so the curse causeless shall not come.

Sometimes Christians get scared of curses.  Maybe there is a ‘satanic’ group cursing area pastors or maybe someone in their anger breathes our threats and cursing.  If there is no cause for the curse we need not fear.  There are things we can do that can cause our days to be cursed.  The Lord spoke in the Old Testament that he puts before us a blessing and a curse.  We need to choose this day whom we serve.  If we are serving the Lord, the curse is causeless and we need not fear.  The words of men can be very intimidating and the threatening of our adversary can leave us a bit startled.  Still, we need to remember that if these curses are not based in a cause, something we have chosen against the Lord, they will not come.  Fear not.

Knowing God - He Used His Word to Fight

Matt 4:7

Jesus said unto him, It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Jesus quoted the Word to Satan.  He uses the word ‘again’.  Satan used the Word to challenge Jesus and Jesus used the Word to answer back.  The Lord will use His Word in our lives to fight the enemy’s challenges.  If the Lord used the written word, how much more should we be diligent to know the Word and quote it in the face of our adversary?  By Jesus using the Word in the enemy’s face, we are shown the example of appropriate response.  Jesus didn’t just speak a summary of God’s Word but He spoke what was written.  May we grow in our ability to study, memorize and use the Word. 

Proverbs - Honor

Proverbs 26:1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

The proverb here is letting us know that honor is completely inappropriate for a fool.  We should not honor a fool.  Sometimes people flatter and speak highly of a fool to gain something.  The fool could be in a position of influence and someone might give them honor hoping to gain something.  We must be careful when giving honor and make sure that we are rendering honor to whom honor is do.  If we want to make it easier for our children to honor their father and mother we should seek to be wise women and leave folly aside.  When we conduct our lives in a manner seeking to make the wisest choices, honor will naturally follow.  Honor is to esteem someone highly and put them in a place of high regard.  Who are you honoring?  Are they foolish or are they wise?  Remember that honor to a fool is like lying out on the beach and having the snow fall all around.  It doesn’t fit the scenario and people are not prepared for it.

Seasons have appropriate conditions.  We like the snow but not at the beach when we are clothed for warm seasonal weather.  We like the warmth of the sun but not when Mr. Snowman is trying to maintain his identity.  The Lord is letting us know that honor is not appropriate for a fool any more than the cold snow is appropriate for summer activities.  Our world honors fools all the time.  There are awards given for music containing destructive lyrics. There are honors given to actors who portray characters that lead people to live lives that are foolish and destructive.  As followers of Jesus Christ we must consider who we honor and speak highly of.  Those who give us His truth deserve honor.  Those in authority over our lives should be given honor.  Our parents deserve our honor.  Before we speak highly of someone, consider if their lives are filled with foolishness according to God’s standard and then render honor to whom honor is due and withhold honor from a foolish person.

Knowing God - He Hears Our Thirst

Isa 41:17

 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

The Lord lets us know here that when someone is lacking something and they have tried to find it and yet come up empty, the Lord hears them.  He doesn’t only hear the cries of His people, but He hears our searches, thirsts and discouragement.  When He hears us He does not forsake us.  The Lord is committed to His people by covenant.  For Christians, this is a new covenant that is not made with the blood of animals but with the blood of Jesus Christ.  If the Lord did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, also with Him, freely give us all things?  The Lord sees your thirst.  The Lord sees the fact that you cannot find that which will quench your thirst and He hears you.  He will not forsake you.

Proverbs - Ruling Our Temperament

Proverbs 25:28

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like

a city that is broken down, and without walls.

This is a great proverb.  A city that did not have walls in the Old Testament days was extremely vulnerable and susceptible to bandits, takeovers and looting.  The walls needed to be built and maintained.  If a brick or two began to crumble, someone must be assigned to rebuild and shore up any weak sections of the city walls.  Our spirits must be ruled.  We are to rule over our own spirits.  This refers to our disposition and mood.  Our wills are to be walls.  We don’t just let our moods go wherever they want and submit to the whims and suggestions of our emotions and feelings.  We surround our feelings with the walls of our wills.  We don’t allow the borders of our feelings to flow over into our words and actions.  We must strengthen our walls and keep these things in check.  We don’t want the enemy coming into our days, lives or families, stealing away the precious substance the Lord has put within us.  Ask the Lord to show you how to rule your own spirit and remember that every time you do, your city is being protected with walls that keep the enemy out and safety within.

Knowing God - He is the Light of Israel

Isa 10:17

 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;

The Lord is called the light of Israel.  The Lord shall be a fire.  The Holy one is a flame.  The Lord is able to devour thorns and briers.  The Assyrians had conquered Israel and their presence was like thorns and briers – trapping God’s people in subjection to them.  When we find ourselves trapped by things we must remember that the Holy one is a flame and able to devour those very things that seem to be encroaching on us and restricting us in moving freely as His children.  Thank You Lord for being the light of Israel and the Holy One is a flame.  Lord, devour those thorns and briers that are standing in our path that we might accomplish all You have for us.

Proverbs - Too Much Glory is NOT Good

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

Honey is sweet and delicious.  A little honey goes a long way.  If honey is spread too thickly, it usually runs off of the bread and onto our hands.  This stickiness is absolutely troublesome and everything we touch seems to take on this undesirable feel.  This is how glory works too.  When a man is legitimately praised for a talent or job well done, it is good.  People thrive on affirmation and it is sweet.  When a man looks for this praise himself and uses manipulation or leading questions to get it, it is not good.  The ‘honey’ drips all over and what was meant to be sweet is now troublesome and messy.  Let us be women who do not lean in to hear and bring about our own glory.  We will let other men’s lips praise us but we will not be those who instigate and cause such praise to be given. 

Knowing God - The Lord Will NOT Protect

Josh 23:13

 Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you.

                                                                      

Joshua warns the people of God that if they begin to compromise and join with those who do not serve the Lord, the Lord will not drive out their enemies before them.  The Lord loves to fight for us but He expects us to know which side of the battle we are on.  We cannot expect God to fight our enemies when we join with them as if they are our allies.  They will be snares and traps to us.  They will be thorns in our eyes and we can lose the inheritance the Lord has for us if we mistakenly or rebelliously embrace the very things the Lord wants to drive out of our lives.  The Lord fight for us, yes, but He will step back and allow the consequences of our actions to come forth when we do not position ourselves in opposition to the things He is fighting.  

Proverbs - Don't Bow Down

Proverbs 25:26

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

We need never back down on doing what is right regardless of threats or intimidation.  We are not to bow our will to the whims and influences of this present wicked age.  We have been delivered from this evil world and its standards and directives are not our orders.  We serve the living God and to Him and to Him only will we bow.  When Mordecai chose not to bow to Haman, he proved his loyalty to God alone.  When Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego chose not to bow to the golden idol, they demonstrated their steadfast loyalty to God alone.  What is asking you to bow?  Who is asking you to bow?  Refuse to do so dear sister!  Do not be a troubled fountain or a corrupt spring.  Continue in your journey to please Him and disregard the mandates of the wicked.  As for you and your house – serve the Lord!

Knowing God - His Judgments Are In All the Earth

Ps 105:7

 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

The Lord’s standards are in all the earth.  They are for the Korean, American, Fijian, Jew, Canadian and every other nationality.  The Lord made the earth and all that is in it.  He accepts culture and has allowed cultures to have their own unique customs and traditions but these should bow to God’s eternal truths.  Whenever culture clashes with the Word of God, God’s judgments supersede cultural standards.  His judgments are in all the earth.  There is a universal conscience He has placed in all that are created wherever they may live.  Our God is the Lord and He is over ALL the earth.  His judgments are applicable in all the earth.  When we study what He says is sin and what He says is good and righteous we can be quite confident when declaring His truths wherever we go and with whomever we meet.

Proverbs - Giving Cold Water

Proverbs 25:25

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

The good news we have been given comes from a far country.  The good news that God wants to forgive us and has taken care of the debt is great news!  The people around us are thirsty. Their souls are thirsty. They may not look thirsty but it is their souls that thirst.  There is a dryness to their lives and a thirst that cannot be satisfied apart from a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Sometimes we are afraid to tell someone about the good news of Jesus Christ because demonic whisperings come in and suggest we will offend or cause damage.  God tells us that we are giving cold water to a thirsty soul.  The next time we are given the opportunity to tell someone that their sins can be forgiven, think about this proverb.  Consider yourself giving a cup of cold water to a dry and thirsty soul.  

Knowing God - He Desires Postured Prayer

Dan 10:10

 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

An angel was sent by the Lord to Daniel in response to his prayers.  The Lord sends His angels to do His work.  Here, the angel touches Daniel and it resulted in Daniel being on his knees and the palms of his hands.  This teaches us that one posture we can take in response to the Lord answering our prayers is on our knees with our palms on the ground.  In our society we have tried to move away from empty ritualistic positions of prayer so that sincerity of communication is sought rather than structured positions.  In doing this, we may be losing the fact that there are examples of different postures of prayer recorded in the scriptures.  The Lord’s touch is intended to have an effect on us.  Let’s be open and flexible to the responses He would desire from us as He reaches into our lives and communicates with us.

Proverbs - Redecorating

Proverbs 25:24

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,

 than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

These are the proverbs women know well.  They are often quoted by our husbands.  How do they learn these scriptures so fast?  Maybe they have experienced it to be true.  A brawling woman is difficult to live with.  We are told here that it is better to be on the roof of a house isolated and alone than to be in a beautiful mansion with a bitter and angry woman.  We know how this is.  When we are contentious we don’t even like to dwell with ourselves.  This shows us that getting a big house doesn’t make a happy family.  If we get into a mortgage we cannot afford we can end up on edge and be this brawling woman in a wide house.  To give our family a beautiful home our disposition and kindness furnishes them with great leeway to enjoy and dwell in peace and safety.  Rather than redecorating our rooms, let us redecorate our disposition.

Knowing God - He Turns Curses Into Blessings

Josh 24:10

But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

When Balaam was trying to curse God’s people, the Lord would not hearken to his prayer; rather He blessed them.  The Lord does not hearken to the wishes of those who want to harm His people.  The Lord can actually turn a curse into a blessing.   There will be opposition in our lives and there will be those who desire to curse us.  We mustn’t fear or resent those who do.  We must commit ourselves into the hands of our Faithful Creator knowing that He blesses us still and delivers us out of their hand.  

Proverbs - Drive the Gossip Away

Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain:

so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

This is a great proverb.  Wind is likened to an angry countenance and rain is connected with a backbiting tongue.  As wind drives this rain away, an angry countenance can drive away a backbiting tongue.  When we are with someone who is backbiting or gossiping we can make a facial expression that denotes disgust and anger with such words.  Apparently this will help the backbiting stop.  Disapproval by our expression will help blow these words away and stop the downpour of bitterness and contempt.  

Knowing God - He is So Beautiful!

Ps 145:5

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.

The Lord’s majesty is full of glorious splendor.  This means that God is so much more beautiful than we have yet to fully grasp.  The fact that God is King should draw us to a place where we meditate on the glorious splendor of this fact.  Our God is a King who does all things well.   Our God is a King who is motivated by love.  Our God is a King who pardons and receives.  Our God is a King who can take things and work them together for our good.  Our God is a King who can provide.  Oh Lord, the glorious splendor of your majesty is worth meditating on.  Your beauty is intended for my meditation.  I lift up my eyes and I WILL meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty.  

Proverbs - Love Begins in the Heart

Proverbs 25:21-22

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;

and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

Human need should compel us to action.  Just as the Lord sends rain on the crops of the wicked farmer and righteous one living next door to each other, we should remain open and willing to be vessels of His provision and blessing to anyone.  True love is not equated with the worthiness of the person we are loving.  Love begins in the heart and comes from the love of God that has been shed abroad there.  To remain sensitive and willing to meet our enemies’ needs, we must be in a place of forgiveness and peace in our dealings with them.  If we hear of some sort of trouble they are facing we should ask the Lord how we might be used to meet those needs.  We might even do it in secret where they don’t know it is coming from us.  This will pacify anger and help bring about God’s heart on the matter. When our ways please the Lord, He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us. 

Knowing God - The Lord Makes Himself Available

Matt 13:1

 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

Jesus left the crowds and sat by the sea side.  The crowds followed him there.  Why did he leave the house?  Why did he go to another location?  The bible doesn’t clearly let us in on this but we can learn from His example.  The house had a limited amount of seating.  Right before this, we see that Jesus’ family was standing outside of the house and was having a difficult time getting to Him.  Perhaps Jesus moved to the seaside to make Himself available to more people.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  He came that we would know the One and True God.  Jesus went to a different location where many could come and hear Him.  Like Jesus, it is important that we make ourselves available.  Sometimes the Lord may have us change jobs, move or even sit in a different location at church so that we might be available to love and minister to someone.  Let us be sensitive to the changes in our location and trust that He is leading us for His purposes.

Proverbs - Helping the Person Who is Sad

Proverbs 25:20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Taking away someone’s garment in cold weather would be mean and only rob him of his warmth.  When someone puts vinegar on nitre (baking soda) it begins to bubble and be very agitated.  When someone’s heart is heavy it is not time to make light of it and sing songs of rejoicing.  We are to weep with those who weep.  Turn off the radio and give the person a chance to mourn.  There is a time to mourn and allowing someone to do so will help them receive the comfort they need.  Blessed are those who mourn they shall be comforted.  Worldly people take someone who is mourning to a bar or party to try and help them forget their troubles.  This is like taking away their garment during such a cold season.  We are instructed not to do this.  When we are around someone whose heart is heavy we should be quiet and sensitive to their plight.  As we do this we will help cover them and protect them through such a difficult and vulnerable time.

Proverbs - Misplaced Confidence Can Be Painful

Proverbs 25:19

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble

 is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

A person is unfaithful when they exhibit certain patterns.  Some of these patterns are;   they are consistently late to appointments, do a half-hearted job on tasks given to them or ignore matters that are important to others when they find something else they prefer to do.  When we have people like this that we rely upon, it is like having a broken tooth.  We are trying to break tasks down and get them done, but this ‘broken tooth’ just causes so much unnecessary pain that the job can’t get done.  When we are people like this we cause those who are counting on us to feel like they have a toe or foot out of joint.  They are trying to take the next step but the problems and discomfort of this toe causes the journey to be painful and in constant need of nursing along.   Seek the Lord for who you are to put your confidence in when delegating a task.  Seek the Lord when someone hands responsibility to you.  Let us not be that broken tooth or toe out of joint.