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.