Proverbs - Hurricanes and Rootedness

           

Proverbs 12:2-3

 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:

but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

 A man shall not be established by wickedness:

but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

                        When a palm tree faces hurricane force wind, the tree will bend and the leaves may depart.  It will not be uprooted though, and eventually straightens back up and re-grows the palms that make it a landmark for all to see.  As we seek to do things righteously we will not be moved.  No matter what is thrown our way, no matter how we may bend to the point of almost breaking, if we have established our responses by the Lord’s standards, we will not be moved.  Endure with the Lord’s leading and you will find yourself standing strong again positioned and gaining back those things that may have departed during your hurricane time.

Knowing God - He Feeds

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 - Loving Instruction

Proverbs 12:1

 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

                        A good teacher is one who wants to learn.  A teacher that doesn’t mind being corrected in order that truth may be exalted, is a teacher whose students will love learning.  Sometimes a mother will try to teach her children and wonder why they don’t seem excited to learn from her. Her children need to see her love for instruction.  What does she do when her husband corrects her?  Does she like to read and look things up? Are there new things she is exposing herself to?  Ladies, do you ever go to the library just to learn something about history, crafts, science, etc.?  Do you ever share with your children something you learned from the Word of God?  When they share something they learned, do you rejoice with them and ask them questions?  To be a woman who loves instruction is to be a woman who loves knowledge.  This will be contagious and your children will be much more easily corrected and instructed.

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 - Righteous Choices

Proverbs 11:30-31

 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:

much more the wicked and the sinner.

                        Much of Proverbs deals with wisdom.  One of the ways we can be those wise women who build our homes is by being concerned about the eternal destination of those around us.   Do you have a tender heart towards those who have yet to know Christ as their Savior and Lord?  Have you prayed with your children for those family members who are yet dead in their trespasses and sins?  Do your children know the plan of salvation and that more than all of their pursuits you desire for them to have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life?  If your household sees a woman who looks ahead to eternity, they will see a wise woman.

            God is not mocked.  Whatever a person plants, that person shall reap.  Sisters, do you know that if you choose the right thing you shall be recompensed in the earth?  Perhaps not immediately, but every righteous choice we make is certain to bring forth fruit.  Have the patience of a farmer and continue planting choices that please and honor God.  You will eventually reap a wonderful, delicious harvest. 

Knowing God - The First and Last

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 - Inheriting the Wind

Proverbs 11:29

 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:

 and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

                        Inheriting wind is not something we can really put our hands on.  Wind coming upon us is rather shaking, displacing and oftentimes loud.  The Lord warns us as women, that if we are the ones who trouble our own house we shall inherit the wind.  This word trouble means, to stir up or afflict.  Ladies, we have so much influence upon the climate of our home.  Keep your tongue and keep your heart!  Much of what you may be troubled by within your home is actually that which you have planted.  A foolish woman tears down her home, but a wise woman builds it up.  Be careful!  God has put you in authority over your children and the climate of the home.  Don’t stir things up!  You don’t want to inherit the wind, but rather a calm quiet home where the Wind of the Spirit moves freely and soothingly as opposed to the tempest wind of our pride.