Knowing God - He Redeems

Ps 130:8

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

He Redeems

The Lord forgives us of all our iniquities (Psalm 103:3) but here we learn of His ability and will to redeem His people from all their iniquities.  Redemption is the ability to take something that is either worthless or actually destructive and turn it into something useful and/or profitable.  It is buying back something from something else and giving it the freedom to become all it can be.  When we sin, there are consequences.  By the sacrifice of Jesus, we are freed from the eternal responsibility of paying for our sins but the temporal effects of sin remain.   The Lord can take those effects and redeem them, using them for His glory and our good.  Truly He works all things together for good to them who are the called according to His purposes.  We need not grow unnecessarily weary when reaping from our sin.  We need to look to our God who can redeem us from our sins.  He is able to take those things that were meant for evil and turn them around for our good.  He is mighty, powerful and redemptive.

Proverbs - Grass Shows and Withers

Proverbs 27:25

The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself,

and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

There are some beautiful hills by my house that turn so green in the spring they almost seem to be alive with color.  The cows graze on them and the brilliant green is practically hard to look at.  As time goes on the summer sun comes and the green turns to a dull brown awaiting fire danger signs and decay.  No matter how beautiful things can be in this life, all flesh is as grass and the glory of man is as the flower of the grass.  Things are fleeting and our joy and purposes must not be in the temporal.  We should invest in that which remains – the seed of the Word of God and our relationship with Him.  Sisters, let us pursue that which abides and stays alive.  Let us rid our days of temporal pursuits that amount to little and fill them with that which remains.

Knowing God - God Feeds Us

Matt 6:26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Our Heavenly Father Feeds

The birds of the air do not receive a paycheck.  They are not shopping at our local grocery stores.  They do not have bank accounts.  Our heavenly Father feeds them.  He sets up the seeds to be there for them.  He has those early morning worms surface for the birds to enjoy for breakfast.  He moves upon the park visitors to bring bread crumbs to feed them.  He has inspired those who make bird feeders and those who buy them in order that the birds will be fed.  How precious our Father is.  Let us remember that if the Father feeds them, how much more can we trust Him to meet our needs?  We are much better than them according to God’s revealed value system.  Who might He be moving upon or how might He be orchestrating events to meet your needs today?  Don’t be anxious; be excited to see His faithfulness demonstrated towards you.  If you find yourself a bit apprehensive, some bird watching might do you good!

Proverbs - Riches Are Not Forever

Proverbs 27:24

                                                         

For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

When we are doing well financially we are not act like this will continue uninterrupted.  Riches are not forever and the authority we have now might not be with us tomorrow.  This should motivate us to be diligent and faithful in the calling we find ourselves in now.  We must know that we are but dust and our times are in His hands.   All authority is given by God and He sets down and lifts up.  We should enjoy where we are and seek to be faithful with what we have.  To be presumptuous about our future is to exalt ourselves above our God.  Let us remember that we don’t know what a day brings forth and seek to honor Him now.

Knowing God - He Heals Backsliding

Hos 14:4

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

He Heals Backsliding

The Lord reveals that we are sick when we are backsliding and we injure ourselves when we move away from the first love relationship we were designed to have with Him.  When someone turns back to the Lord, He will love them freely and He will heal their backsliding.  No matter what damage may have happened to a person during their backsliding time, God promises to be their healer.  This is great comfort when we are watching someone make choices apart from yielding to the Lord.  We fear they will be damaged beyond repair.  God promises to heal their backsliding.  This should help us stand in faith praying and trusting the Lord to work completely and thoroughly in their lives.

Proverbs - Diligence In Knowing

Proverbs 27:23

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

A shepherd needed to know what the state of his flocks was.  He had to be diligent.  He needed to know if all his sheep were accounted for as well as the physical condition of each.  We are often put in charge of people like the shepherd is given the sheep.  If we are moms, our children are our flock.  If we are over a classroom, the students are our sheep.  If we are over people at work, they are our sheep.  We must not be lazy in knowing the state of our flocks.  We must look well to our herds.  As we pray regularly for those we care for we will be sensitive to their needs and strengths.  Do you know what each of your children is struggling with?  Are you keeping your eyes open to those you oversee as to where they might need encouragement or direction?  Lord, give us the diligence to really know the state of our flocks and that we might look well to whatever herds you have given us.

Knowing God - The Beginning and End

Rev 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

The Beginning and the End

The Lord declares Himself to be the beginning and the end – the Alpha and the Omega.  He is the One who started everything and He will bring it to a close.  We need to trust in the One who can complete the things He wants completed.  He starts things and He finishes them.  Maybe something just seems to be stagnant and not going in the direction of completion.  We need to look to Him and trust in Him to see it to its finish.   Those who know the name of the Lord place their trust in Him.  Sometimes we can be weary or overwhelmed but He never grows weary.  Let us look to the One who is able to finish what has been started.  That is His name.  He is to be trusted.

Proverbs - Tools For Fools

Proverbs 27:22

Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle,

yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Fools are not to be handled with anger and force.  It will not drive foolishness from them.  If you are dealing with a foolish child, be cautious of your footing.  Do not be pulled into heated arguments and physical lashes.  When you discern foolishness, listen to the only wise God and seek His counsel on what to say and what not to say.  Foolishness can be driven out by the rod of correction, not the rod of anger.  Correction involves speaking the truth and bringing the foolishness into the light of truth.  Be a mom who can hold her ground because you are standing on the rock.  

Knowing God - He is Begotten From the Dead

Acts 13:33

 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Begotten From the Dead

Jesus rose from the dead.  In His resurrection we see God’s incredible power.  Every sin was placed on Jesus Christ when He died.  He was the atonement/sacrifice on our behalf.  He died.  He laid down His life for us willingly.  Jesus hadn’t sinned so He did not have to die.  He chose to die for sins He didn’t commit.  Because He was sinless in and of Himself, death could not hold Him.  Jesus is the first begotten from the dead.  Revelation 1:5 refers to Jesus as “…the first begotten of the dead…”  When the Son of God was prophesied about in Psalm 2 it was about His resurrection.  It is very important for us to know that Christ has risen.  We see in First Peter 1:3 that God has “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”  Because He was begotten from the dead, we are begotten from a hopeless life to a life with great anticipation of all He can do in the most sin-stained situations.  We must remember that Jesus is the resurrection and remember that no matter how dead we find something Christ is more powerful still. 

Proverbs - Praise Can Refine Us

Proverbs 27:21

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

Praise is like a furnace to us.  A furnace and fining pot were meant to soften the silver and gold so that any impurities would go to the top and be skimmed off.  When we are praised it is meant to melt us and bring to the surface any impurities to be skimmed off as well.  Praise will help us see whether the Lord gets the glory or we take credit.  Praise will help us know whether we have pleased the Lord or whether we pleased men.  The next time you are praised allow it melt you and bring anything to surface the Lord wants to skim off.

Knowig God - God Is Slow to Anger

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

God is Slow to Anger

We learn from this section of God’s Word that we should turn towards the Lord when we realize we have done wrong.  He lets us know that He is gracious.  He understands.  He is merciful.  He wants to extend forgiveness and redemption.  He is of great kindness.  He wants to deal with us in kindness not wrath.  He is slow to anger.  He does not blow up suddenly.  He can be turned to and He is a God we can be broken before.  He doesn’t want to deal with us in anger, wrath or judgment.  He wants us to come as children who know we have sinned and are seeking His forgiveness, grace and kindness in the wounded state we find ourselves in.  Our God doesn’t want us to be afraid to come to Him.  He is a holy God but He is a gracious, merciful and kind God.  Turn towards Him, do not run away.  

Proverbs - Our Eyes are NEVER Satisfied

Proverbs 27:20

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

This is a great truth to know.  Our eyes are never satisfied.  If we go to any store at any time we will SEE something we like.  God made us this way.  We appreciate beauty and we tend to admire the new.  That is okay if we understand this about ourselves.  This will actually protect us from buying things that the Lord has not given us.  Before you go shopping or look in a magazine or catalogue it would be wise to state this truth before the Lord.  Perhaps you could thank the Lord that your eyes are never satisfied so may your eyes enjoy things without having to own them.  If we understand this about ourselves we won’t be so deceived into thinking an admiring eye must lead to a possession.  It is nice to look and enjoy fabrics, colors, designs and beauty.   We must never praise the gods of gold, silver and apparel.  We can enjoy and then know that our eyes are never satisfied.  They will always see something they like.  We must know that life does not consist of an abundance of possessions and godliness with contentment is great gain. 

Knowing God - God Chooses and Brings Forth

Neh 9:7

 Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

God Chooses and Brings Forth

The Lord God chose Abram.  He had a plan and planned on using Abram.   After Abram was chosen, the Lord brought him out of the land he was familiar with took him to a land he didn’t know and gave him a new name.   As believers the Lord not only chooses us to come out of the world and follow Him but He chooses us for certain kingdom plans.  We have a holy calling according to His purpose and grace in Christ.  When we sense Him choosing us for something and we don’t know whether we can leave familiar territory we can take great solace knowing that as the Lord brought Abram forth out He will bring us forth as well.  He is looking for the willingness and surrender of a follower who says I know I have been chosen and I am willing to go wherever you want me to go.  We do not work for God.  We work with God.  God works through us.  Let us, like Abram, be ready to be led forth by a God who not only calls but leads us in our calling.

Proverbs - Our Hearts Are Mirrors

Proverbs 27:19

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

Water serves as a mirror.  When we look into the still water we see a reflection of who we are.  Our heart serves as a mirror as well.  When we have time to sit and still our hearts we will find out who we really are.  Have you ever just taken the time and allowed yourself to realize the motives and intents of your heart?  Have you ever read a scripture and asked the Lord to send it into your heart and show you the deepest roots of anything that might be off or even that which is in line with His heart?  Our hearts are at the center of who we are.  As we think in our hearts that is how we are.  When an ugly motive surfaces, take a good look at it and fix it.  Bring it before the Lord and seek Him to cleanse your heart.  Consider what God says about it and think on His truth concerning it.  Let the mirror of your heart give you a good look at yourself and trust Him to perfect that which concerns you.

Knowing God - He Won't Forgive Us At Times

Matt 6:15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,

                     neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The Forgiveness of Your Father

Jesus is speaking here and He makes quite the statement.  He is very clear.  If we do not forgive people of the offenses and sins they have committed against us, our heavenly Father will NOT forgive us your sins.  This is very heavy.  This shows us that our Father takes forgiveness seriously and He has the choice and right NOT to forgive.  Jesus represented the Father perfectly.  Jesus is letting us into the knowledge of our God.  A friend had once made this statement about forgiveness and it really hit me.  “How many of us would turn to God and say, ‘I want you to forgive me and deal with me, the way I forgive and deal with people who sin against me?’”  This is quite the challenge, isn't it?  The Father spared nothing to make forgiveness available to us and He is abundant in pardon.   Forgiveness is valuable to Him and He intends for those who have been forgiven to walk in forgiveness towards others.  Our Father is a forgiving Father and will NOT forgive those who do NOT forgive others – a heavy statement, but true.  

Proverbs - Waiting on Our Masters

Proverbs 27:18

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof:

so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Our master is Jesus Christ and we wait upon Him and do what He asks us to do.  If we are married, our husband is over us and we should put his requests above ours.  If we are employed, those who we work for should be served by us.   If we are in a ministry, our overseer should be a priority in the carrying out of our duties.  When we see ourselves as servants and want to wait on those who are over us, we will be honored.  As we tend to the things we are given, we will eat the fruit of it.  Sometimes our plights may be a result of a lack of diligence and servitude.  Ladies, let us wait on our masters and tend to whatever fig tree we find in our care.  We will be honored and we will eat the fruit thereof. 

Knowing God - God Instructs and Teaches

Isa 28:26

 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

God Instructs and Teaches

This verse is taken from a section where a farmer’s job is being described.  It is quite detailed on the tools and procedures involved with farming.  Here, we see that it is God that gives the farmer the know-how to do his farming.  God shows him when, with what tools, in which order and how to do his job.  Our God knows how to do everything.  He wants to instruct us in whatever ‘farming’ we have to do.  Are you starting a new job or position?  Be open and dependent on God to lead you to the right resources, mentors or training that would equip you to work well.  Do you have something you have to do around the house that you really don’t think you are quite gifted in?  Call out to the Lord, ask Him to teach you and then…be instructed by Him.  He will begin to lead you and give you the peace you need to do the things you have been called to do.  Resist self confidence.  Replace it with a confidence in a God who loves to instruct and teach.  Approach your work with an open heart and humble mind.  Watch how he can give you good success and be certain to thank Him and give Him the glory!

Proverbs - Friends Keep Us Sharp

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Friendships are healthy.  The body of Christ is made up of many members.  One part supplies what the next part needs.  To sharpen a knife or a pair of scissors, another piece of metal is rubbed against it bringing back to its optimum performance and removing the natural dulling time brings.  Ladies, we will dull if we isolate ourselves and just have our husbands and children as influences.  We need to be around other sisters and trust that they will sharpen us and we will sharpen them.  When was the last time you spent some time on the phone or went out to lunch with another sister?  If you are a woman who tends to isolate, you meddle or interfere with wisdom.  Get close to some great gals and watch some of your dullness fade away!

Knowing God - He Will Hide Us

Ps 31:20

God Will Hide Us

 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

The Lord reveals to us that in our lives we will be talked about by people.  He tells us that this is often associated with pride.  He also shows us that He will hide us from the pride of man.  It may continue but we will be safe in His presence.  He will keep us secretly in a hiding place from the words of others that might wound us.  How precious our God is.  He knows that in this life we will have people that talk about us and their words can feel like fiery darts.  He promises to hide us and keep/guard us.  This will protect us from growing bitter or withdrawing from people for fear of conflict.  We can love people knowing we are protected from the penetrating impact of hurtful words when we are hidden and guarded in His presence.  This hiding is intended to provide a safe place of refuge from which we can continue to walk boldly in all the Lord has for us not having the fear of man but rather, walking in the favor of God.

Proverbs - Don't Be Such a Drip

Proverbs 27:15-16

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind,

and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

A continuous dripping is something very annoying.  There is a rhythm and a constancy of noise that just grates on one’s nerves.  This is what we are like when we are contentious.  We move away from being a rain that refreshes and waters and become a drip.  A drip comes from a collection of water that releases in a systematic dropping that cannot bring refreshment or cleansing to anyone or anything. Could you imagine being thirsty and having to hold a cup under a dripping faucet?  Sure the water is there but it is being released in a frustrating way.  We can be like that, giving our opinion here and there with the intent to provoke and frustrate those who hear us.   When a man tries to cover for her it is like trying to hide the wind.  We should never place our husbands in such an awkward place as to cover the phone or excuse our comments.  We were meant to be helpers and blessings.  We should be women who seek to serve and not be served.  We should be women who are clouds with water intended to refresh and water those around us, not contentious drips who are troubling those who surround us.

Knowing God - He Does the Saving

Ps 17:7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness,

O thou that savest by thy right hand them

which put their trust in thee from

those that rise up against them.

You Do the Saving, We Do the Trusting

We learn a few truths in this piece of scripture.  We learn that people will rise against us.  We don’t like this, but it is true.  We learn that our response to people rising against us is to put our trust in the Lord.  We want to defend ourselves or find sympathetic ears, but we mustn’t.  We learn that God saves by His right hand those who do place their trust in Him at these times.  We want to save ourselves, but He is the One will do it.  It is important to realize that using our shield of faith/trust is really the militant response to attacks/fiery darts being thrown at us.  When we have the Lord between us and them, we are shielded from injury and we yield our defense to a God who has the resources, authority and wisdom to save us.  Our God cares when people rise up against us.  He knows we don’t like it, but He asks us to be more focused on trusting in Him than being discouraged by people.  He will save us with His right hand and we should cry out to Him asking for Him to show us His marvelous works!

Proverbs - Shhhhh...It's Early!

Proverbs 27:14

He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,

it shall be counted a curse to him.

This is quite an interesting observation.  We must not call people and wake them up based upon our own sleeping schedules.  We should be sensitive to the sleep patterns of those we love.  If our friend has a new baby we should not make her phone ring early in the morning, she won’t be blessed.  If we get up early and enjoy the dawn but our friend enjoys a later wake up, do not call or stop by because it works around your schedule.  If your neighbors rise early and you have loud music playing at night, it is inconsiderate and you are ruining their morning.  If you start a construction project in the dawn and wake up those who live near you it will be counted a curse.  Let us not live to please ourselves.  Let us not look out for our own interests but also on the interests and schedules of others.

Knowing God - He Called Us. He Saved Us.

2 Tim 1:9

Saved Us and Called Us

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

The Lord has saved us according to his own purpose and grace.  We need salvation, He wants to use us.  When we step into the realm of being adopted as sons through faith in Christ, we are transferred into a life that is defined by God’s plans and purposes.  We are not getting a ticket to heaven, putting in our pocket and continuing to live our lives with our own ideas and plans ruling and reigning our lives.  He has not just saved us but He has called us with a holy calling.  This is a great truth.  This tells us that our lives have purpose that far exceeds any sort of noble plans we might conjure up.  It is of the upmost importance that we face each day with full assurance of our salvation and our calling.  We may not know all He has called us to but we do know that He has a holy calling for us.  Be open and led by His Spirit for His purposes today and you most likely will be walking in that calling with a great sense of inner purpose and calling even if you don’t recognize it.  

Proverbs - Business and Trust

Proverbs 27:13

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,

and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

In business matters the Lord wants us gentle as doves and wise as serpents.  We do not get into a business matter with a stranger and trust them without some sort of collateral.  The money we have been given has been given to us as stewards.  Stewards are managing someone else’s money.  The money we have is the Lord’s and we answer to Him for how it is used.  We have every right to check into someone’s credit score, work history and reputation; even if the person says they are a believer.  The book of first John declares over and over again that many times a person will say that they are a believer when, in fact, their lives disprove this.  If someone is insulted with your inquiries when they are a stranger to you, be warned.  No one who is doing right is afraid to come to the light.  Be wise, dear sister.  Do not be simple and gullible.  If you do not know someone’s character you have the right to research.  Do not be deceived into thinking that searching out truth is a lack of faith.  We are to place our faith in God alone.  People are allowed to be scrutinized especially in business dealings.

Knowing God - God Teaches Us His Will

Ps 143:10

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

God’s will is something we need to be taught and His Spirit is a good teacher.  His Spirit will lead us and teach us.  God doesn’t just order us to do His will; He wants to teach us to do His will.  God’s Spirit is faithful to lead and guide us into all truth.  He is a member of the Trinity so He is in tune with the Father’s will.  He can effectively communicate the Father’s heart and the way He wants things done.  Thank You Lord that Your Spirit is good.  Teach us and lead us into the land of uprightness.

Proverbs - Prudence

Proverbs 27:12

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself;

 but the simple pass on, and are punished.

This is very wise advice.  We want to be those prudent women, don’t we?  If we anticipate evil we must take the appropriate measures to avoid it.  If we are struggling with spending too much money, we should avoid the stores.  If we are struggling with overeating, we ought not place ourselves in temptation’s way.  If we see that our children struggle with obedience when they don’t get their naps, we should insist on a nap.  If we know our husband is going away for a few days, we should make ourselves available to meet their sexual needs.  If we see a bill is due, we should set aside the money.  If we see a potential for conflict we should seek how to be a peacemaker.  We ought not live in the moment in such a way that we are not prepared for the season to come.  When we foresee the evil we should ask the Lord how we might hide ourselves from that evil and be protected.  Do not be that simple woman who just goes on with life and experiences unnecessary evil.

Knowing God - God Prepares Things

Isa 64:4

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

God Prepares

God has things prepared for those who wait for him.  When we wait upon God we are looking to Him and for Him to work in our lives and the situations for which we are interceding.  When we pray, our Heavenly Father already knows what we have need of.  He has things laid up for us and oftentimes it is the simple request that sets these preparations into action.  When we approach our God we must understand that we are not informing Him of the details, we are seeking Him to have His way in these situations.  He has things prepared for those who wait for Him.   He knows the best answer for every situation and it most likely is one that has not entered our mind.  It is good to know that our God has prepared things for us and it is a great comfort when we come before Him and seek Him concerning matters.

Proverbs - Wise Children

Proverbs 27:11

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

Praying for wisdom for our children is quite the need.  Our children have foolishness bound up in them and by asking the Lord to give them wisdom and help them to obey wisdom when she calls, helps us answer those who reproach us.  As moms, we really enjoy the wise choices our children make.  When they live wisely we can enjoy the parenting role much more.  We are not so beat up nor or we beating ourselves up for the blame the enemy often puts on us for our children’s foolish choices.  Let us continue to ask God to give our children wisdom so that when the enemy reproaches us we can rest in the fact that we have done our part, asked God to do his part and allow our children to do their part. 

Knowing God - The Lord Does

Ps 118:23

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

The Lord’s Doing

The Lord is doing and the Lord does.  He is not a God who watches and does not get involved.  The Lord does things and it is our privilege to perceive His doings and marvel at them.  Our God is not just a righteous Judge who judges what occurs, but gets involved and does things in a situation, with people and for people.  Our God is so full of love and so perfect, He does not need to do things for attention or affirmation.  This is why much of what He does goes unnoticed by us and we walk with a dull sense of the involvement He has in our lives.  Oh Lord, open our eyes to see your doings and even when we don’t see them let us praise you for those things we do not see.  

Proverbs - Maintaining Relationships

Proverbs 27:10

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity:

for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Maintaining relationships is a sign of mature love.  We should be cultivating new friends and revisiting friends from the past.  Sometimes we can rely upon family without realizing the Lord has put friends in our lives to pour into us things outside of the familiar.  Friends come form a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnic upbringings.  Some are further along in the Lord and others are excited new believers.  What a privilege it is to know so many people.  They each contribute so much to us and we should be careful to affirm and nurture our relationships with them.  Sometimes a new friend is who the Lord wants to use rather than someone we are used to running to.  Be sensitive to who the Lord has placed as a near neighbor and be aware that they may, in fact, be who the Lord wants you to run to in the day of calamity.  Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother who is far off.

Knowing God - God Gives Intellectual Abilities

1 Kings 4:29

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

The Lord Gives Intellectual Interests

We often hear of the Wisdom of Solomon, but have we considered the fact that the Lord gave him largeness of heart?  The word heart often stands for the very center of a person and their intellect in the King James Version.  This word heart is not used like we use it in Modern English such as feelings or generosity.  Solomon was given an intellect that was interested in all different types of topics and enjoyed learning in general.  The Lord can give us the aptitude and desire to learn.  Many times as a student I found myself in required classes that were completely outside of my natural interest.  I remember praying and asking the Lord to help me interested in learning.  I remember the Lord reminding me that if I were to learn all I could in each class I would be better prepared to take interest in all kinds of people whether I was naturally inclined to their likes or not.  This would help me love people and grow in my respect for others who had chosen to study things I would rather not have.  Ask the Lord to give you, like Solomon, a variety of intellectual interests.  Trust that He can use knowledge to equip you to be a better friend, witness and conversationalist.

Proverbs - The Fragrance of Good Advice

Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:

so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Hearty counsel is like good perfume.  Good perfume is not cheap.  It is made up of quality ingredients and seldom watered down by other cheap additives.  It is usually made of some sort of substance that, when crushed, gives forth a fragrance that lasts longer than when it was not.  The counsel we give should be a result of opinions that have been crushed by the weight of God’s counsel.  Our words to another must not be watered down and made to be close to the truth and yet not the truth.  When a friend seeks our advice, we should be slow to speak and quick to listen to what our Lord has to say about it.  We should rejoice our friend’s heart with the fragrance of advice rooted in our Savior who was crushed for our iniquity. We should pray with them and seek to discover what God has to say. Then we will leave them with truth that will go on and permeate future situations as well.  

Knowing God - He Defends

Ps 59:1

Deliver me from mine enemies,

O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

The Lord Delivers and Defends

Our God is to be called upon when people rise up against us.  He wants to deliver us and He wants to defend us.  Usually people come against us due to the stirring up by our adversary.  He is the accuser of our brethren and he loves division and discord.  The battle is not ours.  We are not to try and get out of the way of vain and empty accusations.  We are to stay focused on what the Lord would have us exert energy on and leave the defending and delivering to Him.  He has the ability and the love to defend us and He has the strategies and resources to deliver us.  We mustn’t fear what man can do to us.  If God is for us, who can be against us?

Proverbs - Be Where You Are

Proverbs 27:8

 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

Do you know your place dear sister?  Where has God placed you and are you cultivating the land and fulfilling the calling He has given you?   Are you wandering seeking to find worth and purpose outside of that which He has given you?  If you are, my friend, you are like a bird wandering from her nest.   You are vulnerable and at risk of injury or death.  What is your nest and are you wandering?  Your nest needs to be cared for.  Some of the materials your nest is made up of needs repair and more sticks and soft padding to keep it in tip top shape.  You are privileged to be where you are and your sense of satisfaction with life is directly related to caring for the place God has placed you.  Don’t be slothful.  Don’t be discontent.  Take where you are and be there.  Ask the Lord to help you stay in your place and take care of it.  You will be protected.  The Lord will be glorified and you will enjoy safety.

Knowing God - God Marches With Us

Ps 68:7

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

God Marches With Us

When the children of Israel were marching through the wilderness, they were in unknown territory facing unknown things.  Here we see that God actually marched before them through the wilderness.  This is a great truth indeed!   When we face those seasons of unknown territory our God will march through those wilderness times before us.  He will blaze a trail for us and we can have full confidence that He is leading us when we don’t quite know where we are going.  Thank You Lord for being that friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Thank you Lord that when things are unfamiliar you will be right before us leading us in the paths you have for us!  We are not alone!

Knowing God - He Can Cause Us to Hear

Ps 143:8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

He Can Cause Us to Hear

The Lord is able to cause us to hear His lovingkindness in the morning.  This implies that the mornings can often begin with a sense of hopelessness or discouragement.  The Lord can cause us to hear His favor amidst all the other things we hear in the morning.  He can cause us to know the way that we should walk.  We give Him our trust.  We lift up our soul to Him, and He causes us to hear His love and favor and shows us the path He has for us that day.  Our God is so loving and so faithful.  He wants us to hear His love and know His ways.  Trust in Him.  Lift your soul up to Him and He will do these things!

Proverbs - Wisdom Will Listen

Proverbs 27:5-6

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Hearing from someone that loves us about an action or pattern that is not in line with God’s plan for our lives, is a good thing.  A friend is someone who is willing to call us on things that will tear our house down.  They are not a good friend if they observe patterns and behaviors in us that are contrary to the Lord and yet remain silent and wait to watch the inevitable reaping we will face.  If we are building something with faulty materials, another person should tell us before we invest all of that time and energy into something that is bound to fall apart.   Enemies love to affirm things that they know will lead to our demise.  Friends will rise up and call us on things to help us have lives that are sturdy and blessed.  Are you that kind of friend?  Do you have that kind of friend?  Pray for both and don’t trust the kisses of an enemy.  Trust the wounds and open rebukes of a friend.

Knowing God-- He Will Scatter Those Not To Be United

Gen 11:8

So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth:

Bad Unity Will Be Divided

When the people of the earth built the tower of Babel, they built it so they wouldn’t be scattered throughout the earth. They decided to build together in a way that would make them feel that they were indeed one people that only needed each other.  The Lord saw that the people were finding their strength, identity and purpose in the relationships they had with each other.  Truly we need the Lord only to find worth, purpose and identity.  He scattered those who sought to avoid being scattered.  When we try to keep relationships at the point of excluding the Lord, our God might very well scatter us to keep us in a place where we realize He is who we really need.  He knows there is a great danger of exceeding emptiness when human relationships take precedence over abiding in the vine.  Our God knows what is best for us and He will do what He must to direct us in the way of true security and love.

Proverbs - Envy is Stronger Than Anger or Wrath

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Wrath is cruel.  It hurts and wounds.  Anger leads people to do things that are outrageous and we are often left in pieces.  This scripture warns us that as harsh as anger is, envy is much more volatile, powerful and destructive.  It would behoove us to pray that God would deliver us from people who are discontent and envious.  When King Saul began to envy David, it led to a prolonged pursuit that made David’s life miserable and vulnerable to Saul’s attempts to take his life.  We should be careful of how much we say to others about good things in our lives.  Some people cannot handle it and they end up comparing their lot with ours and fall into such a sin as envy.  Don’t just open your mouth and speak.  Be sensitive to the restraining work of the Holy Spirit and if He seems to be telling you to be quiet, be quiet.  We don’t want to contribute to the probability of having to stand before envy.

Knowing God -

Isa 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

The Lord’s counsel shall stand and He will do ALL His pleasure.  When people make choices, and He allows us to, these choices are under the Lord’s complete ability to use to accomplish His purposes.  We are not subject to the whims of man if indeed we belong to the Lord through the payment of the blood of Jesus Christ.  We are in a place where, like Joseph’s fate at the hand of wicked brothers, we are under the sovereignty and plans of our God.  We need not whine and be embittered at the sins others commit against us.  We had best lift up our eyes with great anticipation of how our God will have His pleasure in the matter.  We need not walk in blame but walk with a hope in a God who declares the end from the beginning.  Our God’s purposes are not thwarted by the mere will of man.  Our God’s counsel SHALL stand!

Proverbs - Carrying the Weight of a Wrathful Person

Proverbs 27:3

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

Carrying a stone or sand in your backpack is weighty and a burden.  Here we are told that a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.  A foolish person when given to wrath can really make our lives difficult.  A foolish child, husband or acquaintance can come in and weigh our lives down by their anger and venting.  If we sense this weight, we are proving the word of the Lord to be true.  The heaviness and burden of it are expected but what are we to do with things we end up carrying.  We are to cast our cares upon the Lord and He will sustain us.  Our prayer life might have to be upped a bit during the season of experiencing a fool’s wrath.  We might have to run into the bathroom, or take a walk and bring this weighty experience before the Lord.  He is able to lift our heads and He is able to help us carry such a weight.  Cast the fool’s wrath upon the Lord because He cares for you.

Knowing God - He is Our Hiding Place in Strange Places

Ezek 11:16

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

The Lord deals with His people and sometimes puts us in strange places because we have not put Him first in our lives.  He lets us wander to find out how much we need to stay close to Him and maintain an abiding relationship with Him.  When this happens, He is not forsaking us.  He is disciplining us.  When this happens, He does not leave us in our consequences.  He will be to us a little sanctuary in the midst of the heathen and in the midst of the land we find ourselves in.  Although our choices may have led us to unfamiliar territory and godless pursuits, we can anticipate that the Lord Himself will be a hiding place for us in the midst of our unpleasant consequences.  He will be as a little sanctuary, a little hiding place, in the midst of tough times even though we may deserve them.  Thank You Lord that You will NEVER leave us nor forsake us!

Proverbs - Receiving Compliments

Proverbs 27:2

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;

a stranger, and not thine own lips.

I love this verse.  We are commanded first and foremost to allow someone else’s mouth to say affirming things to us.  The next time someone says something nice to you, do not interrupt, cut off or excuse away such encouragement.  We are people who need encouragement and affirmation and the Lord will send people into our lives to give us such.  When we stop someone from doing this we are in deliberate disobedience to this command.  Receive from another and let those words affirm what the Lord is doing in and through you.  Say thank you.  Give God the glory as well, but don’t stop them from doing it.  We are also warned not to praise ourselves with our own lips.  We will be less likely to do this if we allow others to do this for us.  Sister, receive your Father’s praise and enjoy the times another person’s lips give you affirmation. 

Proverbs - Boasting is a Symptom of Control

Proverbs 27:1

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Boasting implies control.  Boasting tends to root itself in personal lordship.  We have been called to have Jesus Christ as our Lord and we are trusting that the Lord has ultimate sovereignty over all we do and plan.  We do not know what a day may bring forth.  We can plan but it is the Lord that directs our paths.  Boasting is being someone who speaks and believes that their plans are final.  We ought rather to say, “If the Lord wills, we will do this and that.”  Speaking this kind of option keeps us in a place where we understand that we are under the Lordship of Christ and His servants’ chief of all.  If we remain in this place we will not be so anxious or controlling.  We will be yielding and flexible and looking for His will to unfold throughout the day.  We will be considerate of others and loving in the face of interruptions.  Let us not be women who boast about tomorrow.  Let us be women who face this day with an open mind about His leading and face tomorrow with a childlike trust and anticipation of surprises.

Knowing God - God Can Be Robbed

Mal 3:8

 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

The Lord is confronting his people about their finances.  He tells them that they have ‘robbed’ Him of tithes and offerings.  That means that there is definitely a concept here that some of the money we have been given, He has distinctly claimed as marked for Him in a giving sort of way.  Sure, all of our money is His and we are to glorify Him with every penny, but this verse gives us insight into the fact that some of the money we have should be given to Him in a conscious way for His purposes.  How much?  How do we give it to Him?  Could it be as this verse suggests, a tithe, ten percent?  Could it also/or be offerings as we purpose in our heart?  Could it be both?  Is it in giving to our local church?  Is it in giving to mission organizations?  These things are not so clear to every believer.  I encourage you to humbly come before your God and ask Him if you have robbed Him financially in any way and ask Him what He considers the appropriate amount to set aside.  We don’t want to rob from the One who has spared not His own Son and will freely give us all things.