pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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Pure and Upright

Reading: Proverbs 19 and 20

‭Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you might grow wise in the future.”

To choose to ignore wisdom is to choose to be a fool. Folly first of all corrupts the heart against God. That can lead a foolish son to be a “disaster to his father” and a “contentious wife” to feel like a “constant dripping.” Fools jump right into fights and they mock justice. Fools and liars will not escape. They will perish. Therefore the sage says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you might grow wise in the future.” Here one finds true life, contentment, and peace.

We seek and we enjoy these gifts. That is some of the reason that we plan. This is good to do but we are also reminded “the Lord’s purpose will succeed.” This is why we must never stop listening to wisdom and why we must never refuse discipline. When we do stop, we wander. The walk of faith is long and slow and steady. Advice for our walk comes from “the deep waters of the heart.” It requires long, slow, and steady care. With understanding we can draw from these waters, gaining wisdom and finding true life.

Listening closely and drawing deeply from wisdom allows us to apply it to our lives and to our living. Doing so we learn to restrain our anger and to walk away from senseless fights and to ignore an offense. We come to value wise speech as “the most precious jewel.” We grow to be gracious to the poor. We wait upon the Lord’s salvation. We learn to walk with integrity and honor. We, like our children, are known by our words and by our conduct. May we be pure and Upright, bringing glory and splendor to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we see that all of who and what we are really matters. Guide us to walk as you call us to walk, clinging to wisdom and understanding and discipline, walking in your way. Keep our ears and hearts open to your guidance and your correction. Use our deeds and words to make your will and way known. Amen.


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A Strong Tower

Readings: Proverbs 17 and 18

‭Proverbs 18:10 – “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.”

There are three themes that stand out to me today as we read and ponder Proverbs 17 and 18. To read these words in a few months or in a couple of years, other themes might stand out. That is one reason we read and read and read our Bibles. That being said, the first theme that emerged today was that wisdom or understanding brings peace to our lives. It is better to eat crusty, dry bread in peace than to feast in a quarreling house. It is love that covers offenses. But fools keep repeating words and actions that bring or lead to division. Therefore, it is “safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in their folly.” Let that sink in.

The second theme concerns God’s testing and refining and correction. Like a crucible refines and purifies silver, so God tests our hearts. For the wise and understanding, a rebuke goes deeper and impacts us more than “100 lashes to a fool.” For those who seek understanding and wisdom, these draw us together. As the community of faith we too love one another all the time, especially in times of trouble and trial.

The last theme has to do with the power of our words. First, the wise restrain their talking. The wise are cool headed. The understanding recognize that words are “deep waters” and hold the power of life and death. The wise guard their words, loving life, eating well of its fruit. Fools babble on and on, caring just for their own opinions, allowing careless and thoughtless words to bring harm and hurt.

Proverbs 18:10 stands out today as a summary verse, as words to cling to: “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are indeed our strong tower, our rock of refuge, our place of peace. Walk closely with us, guiding our words and actions so that we too might bring peace and refuge and strength to a world in need of these things in their lives. Use us in the building of your kingdom. Amen.


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Path of Righteousness

Reading: Proverbs 16

‭Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

Today’s reading contains mostly examples of how to live in alignment with God’s will and way. Verses 1 and 9 summarize this idea well. In these verses we are reminded that although we plan our path using our hearts, it is God who answers our plans and who secures our plans/path. The sage reminds us that God “tests our motives” too. Are our plans and the desires of our hearts pure? Are they aligned with God’s heart?

Many of today’s verses speak to answering this question. If we commit our work (and our lives) to God, then our plans will succeed. If we see and work towards God’s purposes, if we walk the right and good road, then God will be glorified. If we seek wisdom, then we will have insightful speech and can offer enhanced teaching. Verse 31 reminds us that we’re long-term projects: “Gray hair is a crown of glory.” Eventually this is found “on the path of righteousness.”

There’s a bit of practical advice in today’s verses. Honest scales and balances are God’s way. Integrity and honesty matter in God’s world. Therefore, “better a little with righteousness than great profits without justice.”

And there are warnings today too. It is important to remember the outcomes of wicked or evil choices. The Lord “detests” arrogance and pride, evil deeds, and slanderous and gossipy speech. All of these behaviors run against God’s will and way and against God’s plans and purposes for our world and for our lives. Yet these sins are ever before us, tempting us to walk the world’s path. With God’s strength and presence, may we instead choose to walk the path of righteousness. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, it is so easy, so tempting, so alluring to simply choose the way and path of the world. So, God, pour out your Spirit’s wisdom and power, enabling us to choose your path of righteousness. Amen.


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Humbly Walk

Reading: Proverbs 16

‭Proverbs 15:3 – “The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on evil and good people.”

In verses 28 we read that a righteous heart thinks before answering while the wicked heart blurts out evil. Our words really matter. The sage also shared that the sensitive answers turn back wrath while offensive words stir up anger. Similarly, patient people calm strife while hotheads stir up conflict. Our words affect others. Let our words be carefully considered.

When our words are wholesome, they bring others life. When we speak with wisdom we spread knowledge. But with unwholesome speech there is no knowledge. This kind of speech breaks the spirit – and the heart. Our words affect others. Let us speak words of truth and love, hope and wisdom.

If we are wise and careful with our words then we reveal a close walk with God. God loves those who pursue righteousness and whose words are pure (in alignment with God’s will and way.) God detests those who lay evil plans and who walk the path of wickedness. Speaking of the consequences the sage writes, “God snatched the arrogant one’s house” while watching over and preserving the widow’s home… May our actions and words be pure.

The sages also touch on the “why” concerning the pursuit of righteousness. We’re reminded that having “a little” while fearing the Lord is better than “great reward” with turmoil. We’re reminded that to “eat greens” surrounded by love is far better than “a plump calf” surrounded by hate. There is much to be said for peace, contentment, simple joys. Today’s readings closes with this gem: “The fear of the Lord is wise instruction, and humility comes with respect.” May we humbly Walk before the Lord who is worthy of our respect and of our love and of our obedience. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as our words really matter, guide our words. Help us to speak words that build up, that encourage, that spread love and life and faith. Fill our hearts, Lord, with your presence, for there we find joy, hope, love, contentment, and peace. Yes, God, may it be so. Amen.


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A Healthy Fear

Reading: Proverbs 14

‭Proverbs 14:22 – “Don’t those who plan evil go astray? Those who plan good receive loyalty and faithfulness.”

Today’s key verse summarizes the overarching idea of Proverbs. The goal of Solomon and other sages who contributed to this book was to teach naive young men how to walk faithfully with God. To ignore this wisdom is to turn away from God, to “go astray,” to choose death.

The naive have and will always exist. Therefore Proverbs will be ever relevant. The naive think they know it all but can also fall prey to believing anything. Their sphere of thinking is fairly small, usually centered on self. Common sense is in short supply. All of this can lead to lurching forward in awkward ways. The inward focus can lead to things like “despising” those with needs. With wisdom and maturity brings a thoughtfulness to one’s steps, words, and actions. One begins to see beyond self. Care and concern for others becomes a new reality.

As one gains wisdom and maturity, one also begins to understand the heart. Wisdom brings an understanding of our own heart and of the hearts of others. One grasps and grapples with joy and sorrow, happiness and distress. Empathy develops. We read, “Wisdom resides in an understanding heart.” One moves from considering to prioritizing other over self.

Wisdom eventually leads to a revrent fear of the Lord. This guides one’s choices, words, actions. One chooses integrity over the “crooked path.” One develops a strong confidence and trust in God’s care for us and for our families. Wisdom and a healthy fear of the Lord draws us close to the “fountain of life.” There we are guided to seek a continual walk in God’s will and way. May this be our path and our choice.

Prayer: Lord God, on this journey of life we mature in many ways: physically, emotionally, relationally, vocationally, spiritually. All tend to come with age and experience. We can be a part of the process or we can just go with the flow of life. As your disciples, guide us to engage the process, to invest in our lives, especially in our faith. Rooted deeply in you we find strength, compassion, empathy, love. In you we find meaning and purpose. Draw us deeper and deeper into you, fountain of life. Amen.


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Right Living

Readings: Proverbs 12 and 13

‭Proverbs 13:13 – “Trouble will come on those who despise a word, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.”

One theme that we see in today’s readings is the value of being willing to listen to God. Fools tend to think that their way is the right way but the wise are willing and open to advice. A wise son (or daughter) listens while mockers do not. Parents who love their children discipline them. Those who withhold discipline “hate their children.” When we choose to listen to and to follow God’s will and ways, we grow in both wisdom and in our faith.

We also grow in God’s favor. This is a second theme that we see today. God favors the good but condemns the wicked. The way of the righteous leads to life. The detestable path of the wicked leads to death. As the righteous walk this good path, they rejoice in the light. The lamp of the wicked will go out, leaving them in darkness. May our light shine for all to see.

This theme of right living is also revealed in how we impact or affect others. The plans of the righteous are just and their words are full of truth. This gives good guidance to their neighbors. The wicked deceive, leaving neighbors to wander. There’s a personal application too. Righteousness guards our words and our lives. Wickedness only misleads. Actions matter too. The prudent act intelligently but fools display stupidity. Walk with the wise and become wiser. Befriend fools and invite trouble.

We also find some practical advice in today’s readings. If one works the land, they will have plenty to eat. Empty pursuits yield nothing good. The lazy have strong desires but get nothing. The diligent are satisfied. Not wealthy, but satisfied, content, blessed. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in all we do and say and think, may we honor you and bring you the glory. In all that we seek, work, and strive for, may we consider first your will and your way. In our interactions and encounters, may our lives be a witness to your design and purposes for our lives and for our world. Amen.


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Decisions, Words, Conduct

Readings: Proverbs 10 and 11

‭Proverbs 11:18 – “The wicked earn false wages, but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.”

Today we begin the middle section of Proverbs. For 13 days we will work our way through chapter 30. These 21 chapters are filled with two-part lines that almost always contrast the good or wise choice with the evil or foolish choice. Although not grouped together in the text, one can find themes within our readings.

One theme today centers on finances. What we do with our money reveals much about our faith. Laziness leads to poverty while hard work leads to riches. We are to give generously though. Stinginess will lead to growing needy. While there is solid earthly advice here, there are also heavenly implications. Riches won’t help on the day of wrath. But righteousness will rescue us. Our decisions matter.

Another theme focuses on how our behavior or choices affect our relationships and our community. When we are hateful, we stir up conflict. When we choose love, offenses are lessened. Virtuous living blessed the community but words of evil destroy it. Along these lines, slander betrays trust whereas keeping confidences builds up the community. Our words matter.

A third theme today touches on the eternal. The wages of the righteous are life and the earnings of the wicked are death. Wisdom leads to humility but pride leads to shame. Walking God’s path is a refuge for the innocent but ruin for those who do evil. If one brings trouble to their family they’ll inherit the wind. But the fruit of righteousness is the “tree of life.” That’s found in heaven. Our conduct matters.

Prayer: Lord God, as we navigate this life, we do so in relationship and in community. Our decisions, our words, our conduct – they all affect our relationship with you and our relationships with each other. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to live faithful, righteous lives, building up the community and the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Wisdom’s Path

Readings: Proverbs 8 and 9

‭Proverbs 8:4 – “I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity.”

As we turn to chapter 8 we learn of wisdom’s authority and foundation. Wisdom cries out to “all of humanity.” All people are meant to live according to her ways. All people are to learn to fear the Lord. Kings and rulers govern by wisdom. Her “fruit is better than gold.” She walks the path of righteousness and justice, providing for those who love her. The prideful and the arrogant? There is no place for them on the path of wisdom.

Beginning in verse 22 we learn of the origin of wisdom: “The Lord created me at the beginning.” Before anything else was – before the watery depths were formed, before the mountains, earth, or fields were formed – God brought forth wisdom. She was God’s architect. She was part of the creative process. Therefore she smiles upon and delights in the human race. She invites us to listen, to find in her life and favor from God.

Chapter 9 compares Wisdom and Woman Folly. Wisdom sets the table, prepares the meal, and invites the naive to come and eat. At her table the naive learn to abandon their simple ways. They learn to live and walk in the way of understanding. Walking this way, one gains knowledge of “the holy one.” Woman Folly offers the same invitation. But dining at her table leads to “the depths of the grave.” This sharply contrasts with choosing wisdom. Wisdom’s path leads to the heights of joy and hope, of peace and contentment. May we choose this path.

Prayer: Lord God, how we love your ways! You are the source of all that we need, of all that is good and just and right. Teach us to delight in you just as you delight in us. Shine your light on our path, strengthen our walk. Amen.


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On the Tablets

Readings: Proverbs 6 and 7

‭Proverbs 6:20-21 – “My son, keep your father’s command; don’t abandon your mother’s instruction. Bind them on your heart for all time.”

Chapters 6 and 7 share some common themes: keeping close the wisdom given to us and avoiding the adulterous “other.” This “mysterious woman” and no “handsome man” speak of the culture and time in which these words were written. Both chapters also urge us to write wisdom on our hearts – the core of who we are.

Chapter 6 begins with the dangers of allowing our word (or our integrity) to stand for another who may lack these things. The author contrasts the hard-working ant with the lazy person. Only one leads to poverty or disaster. Chapter 6 also includes a list of behaviors “detestable” to God. This list includes lying, arrogance, causing conflict, and senseless violence. One could add adultery too. The author writes, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap and his clothes not get burned?” What a wise question!

Chapter 7 begins with the encouragement to hold tight to wisdom, to bind it on our hearts. Most of the chapter deals with the “mysterious woman.” The writer notes that the “naive young man” falls to her words of seduction, which leads only to shame and death. This chapter notes that this woman lies in wait at every corner. And at every age and stage in our lives. The lies that she tells just change, working on our particular weaknesses at moment in our lives.

Writing God’s will and ways on the tablets of our hearts, keeping them ever before us, is essential to our walk of faith. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, your words written on our hearts remind us of the path we are to walk. Empower us with the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we do not walk the path that leads to death. Hold tightly to our hand as we seek to walk in faith and trust. Amen.


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The Good Path

Readings: Proverbs 4 and 5

‭Proverbs 4:23 – “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Today’s two chapters focus first on loving wisdom and then on avoiding the “mysterious woman.” The author encourages his sons to “let your hearts hold my words.” If one holds onto wisdom then she will guard one’s life. She will protect those who love her. Following these words of wisdom will lead to a long, good life. Therefore we are to love and guard and protect wisdom. The wicked, though, they “eat the bread of evil” and they “drink the wine of violence.” These destructive appetites must be fed. They lead to “deep darkness.” But the way of the righteous is light that gets “brighter and brighter.”

In 4:23 we read, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” In ancient thought the mind was the center of emotions, thought, reason. We are to guard these. This keeps us focused “straight ahead.” It keeps us walking on paths that are secure. The way of the wicked would be crooked and filled with obstacles that would make one stumble.

Chapter 5 focuses on the “mysterious woman.” Although her words “drip honey” and can be enticing and alluring, in fact they are “bitter as gall.” To get involved with this woman is to lose one’s strength, wealth, and reputation. This path leads to “bitter ruin.” The good path involves “drinking from your own cistern.” This is keeping true and faithful to your spouse. We are called to rejoice in this relationship. If we do not we are warned that we will be “caught… in the ropes of our own sin.” In Romans 6 Paul speaks of these “wages of sin.” They lead to death. May we choose instead the good path of life.

Prayer: Lord God, the way of temptation and evil is wide. It leads to sin and death. Guard our hearts and minds, O Lord. Lead us, your sons and daughters, to choose you and your ways. These lead to life. Guide us to your path, O God. Amen.