Proverbs 2:5 "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."
If/then.
As someone who writes a lot of computer programs, I have had to figure out a lot of if/then relationships. One of the challenges of writing a computer program is deciding what to do when the "if" is not true.
For example, if I am writing an inventory program to count green balls, I might say, "if the ball is green, then count it." But what if the ball is red? What do I tell the system to do? Do I send it to the incinerator? Put it in a bin? Ship it back to the manufacturer to be recycled? Ignore it?
In the previous verses, we have some "ifs." If we cry after knowledge, if we ask for understanding, if we seek wisdom like it is a hidden treasure...THEN we will understand the fear of the Lord. THEN we will understand the knowledge of God.
What if we do not cry after knowledge? What if we do not ask for understanding? What if we do not seek after wisdom like it is a hidden treasure? What is the "THEN" then?
What does God do? Send us to the incinerator? Put us in holding bin? Ship us back to be recycled? Ignore us?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom. The opposite of wisdom and knowledge is foolishness.
If we cry, ask, and seek then wisdom and knowledge will follow. If we do not have a hunger and thirst for God, then foolishness will consume us.
As we go through Proverbs, let's pay careful attention to joys of wisdom and the consequences of being a fool.
We only have to read a little further to discover a few benefits of wisdom:
2:7 victory, protection (a shield, a buckler)
2:8 projection, direction (guarding our path), preservation
2:9 good judgment
2:10 pleasantness, satisfaction
2:11 discretion - protects us; understanding - guards us
2:12-15 we will be saved from getting caught up in the wicked schemes of others
2:16-19 we will be saved from the life robbing consequences of moral impurity.
2:20-22 we will live at peace in the place where God has placed us.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Proverbs 2:3&4
KJV: "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;..." good things will happen...
NLT: "Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure."
Wisdom and knowledge do not come easy.
God will give us wisdom if we will ask. That's what "cry out" means. We cry out because we are really really want to understand. We cry out after people when something is important. "WAIT.. your dress in caught in the door." WATCH OUT for that ball! DUCK! We lift our voice loud when we want others to understand - like in baseball: "I'VE GOT IT!" lets the other player know that you intend to catch the ball and they should back off.
We use our loud voice when something is urgent or important.
It is very urgent and very important that you get as much wisdom and knowledge as you can.
James 1:5 tells us that God will give wisdom generously to those who believe. It also tells us that we must not doubt God's promises (it is not wise to doubt God - He always keeps his promises).
Proverbs 2:4 compares wisdom to a hidden treasure.
Do you remember that time that you lost your Disney Ticket? Your favorite truck? Your favorite Polly Pocket? Your $50 dollar bill? Do you remember how hard we looked?
We did not rest until we had found your precious treasure.
God wants us to have that same kind of desire and passion for Him. He wants us to have that same kind of perseverance.
Do you remember the story about Jacob? He wrestled the angel until he got a blessing.
Sometimes we have to wrestle with ideas until we finally "get it." Some things are hard to understand, but there is a good reward for those who keep wrestling until they find the treasure.
Later in the proverbs, we will learn that wisdom is more valuable than silver or gold.
Gold and silver are hidden in the ground - where do you think God's wisdom is hidden?
Let's start hunting!
NLT: "Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure."
Wisdom and knowledge do not come easy.
God will give us wisdom if we will ask. That's what "cry out" means. We cry out because we are really really want to understand. We cry out after people when something is important. "WAIT.. your dress in caught in the door." WATCH OUT for that ball! DUCK! We lift our voice loud when we want others to understand - like in baseball: "I'VE GOT IT!" lets the other player know that you intend to catch the ball and they should back off.
We use our loud voice when something is urgent or important.
It is very urgent and very important that you get as much wisdom and knowledge as you can.
James 1:5 tells us that God will give wisdom generously to those who believe. It also tells us that we must not doubt God's promises (it is not wise to doubt God - He always keeps his promises).
Proverbs 2:4 compares wisdom to a hidden treasure.
Do you remember that time that you lost your Disney Ticket? Your favorite truck? Your favorite Polly Pocket? Your $50 dollar bill? Do you remember how hard we looked?
We did not rest until we had found your precious treasure.
God wants us to have that same kind of desire and passion for Him. He wants us to have that same kind of perseverance.
Do you remember the story about Jacob? He wrestled the angel until he got a blessing.
Sometimes we have to wrestle with ideas until we finally "get it." Some things are hard to understand, but there is a good reward for those who keep wrestling until they find the treasure.
Later in the proverbs, we will learn that wisdom is more valuable than silver or gold.
Gold and silver are hidden in the ground - where do you think God's wisdom is hidden?
Let's start hunting!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Proverbs 2
Proverbs 2:1 "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;"
...good things will happen.
But today lets talk about "hide my commandments with thee." I do not know what has happened to the church, but I do not see to much emphasis on scripture memory today.
"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Where is that? Do you know? That, and John 3:16 were bedrock verses that we all had to know as a kid.
We had the Bible Memory Association, AWANA, Traning Union, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Wednesday night.. something... but I remember that any time we went to church there was always something to memorize. Along with the memorization there were award trinkets or ice cream suppers. It was very exciting.
I still remember so many of those verses that I learned as a child. They comfort me and (sometimes) keep me out of trouble.
What a shame it would be if my adult children were void of such comfort and wisdom hidden within their hearts.
We have them on a systematic plan for memorizing scripture, but I wonder if it is enough.
I want them to experience every blessing that God has for them.
One of those blessings comes from a richness of scripture buried within their hearts.
To obtain this blessing requires discipline and hard work.
Maybe that's why its not so prevalent in our church culture today.
...good things will happen.
But today lets talk about "hide my commandments with thee." I do not know what has happened to the church, but I do not see to much emphasis on scripture memory today.
"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Where is that? Do you know? That, and John 3:16 were bedrock verses that we all had to know as a kid.
We had the Bible Memory Association, AWANA, Traning Union, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Wednesday night.. something... but I remember that any time we went to church there was always something to memorize. Along with the memorization there were award trinkets or ice cream suppers. It was very exciting.
I still remember so many of those verses that I learned as a child. They comfort me and (sometimes) keep me out of trouble.
What a shame it would be if my adult children were void of such comfort and wisdom hidden within their hearts.
We have them on a systematic plan for memorizing scripture, but I wonder if it is enough.
I want them to experience every blessing that God has for them.
One of those blessings comes from a richness of scripture buried within their hearts.
To obtain this blessing requires discipline and hard work.
Maybe that's why its not so prevalent in our church culture today.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Proverbs 1
Proverbs 1:32 "...the prosperity of fools shall destroy them."
I believe that it was one of my favorite radio preachers, David Jeremiah, that said that a lot of people in his ministry had survived the test of poverty. They went through a season of need and their faith was strengthened. On the other hand, he knew of only a handful of people who had survived the test of prosperity. Many had fallen away from the faith as a result of their blessings.
What is it about being blessed by God that makes us forget about God?
It happened to the Israelites. Read the Old Testament. Its a common theme. They cry out to God in their desperation, he delvers them, and then he abundantly blesses them. You hardly get to the next generation before God is a long forgotten afterthought. The cycle starts over. Desperation, deliverance, abandonment.
Our family has been through a season of not having much. We depended on God to provide when the budget did not work out on paper. He always provided our needs - often times in amazingly miraculous ways. I think that it is the pleasure of God to answer our very specific prayers. At that time we knew exactly what to pray for. We needed food, clothes, automobiles, or baby things. We prayed and God provided to us through his children.
Now we are in a season in which our budget is just a little bit bigger than our basic needs. I guess that is one definition of prosperity. Now its not quite as clear what exactly it is that we need to pray for.
I can see how it may be easy to forget to pray every once in a while when the belly is full, the barn is full of wheat (we got a doomsday supply when the prices started going up), and everyone is healthy. Somehow that ole wicked heart of ours tries to convince us that our blessings are a result of our own hands. We finally have it together (we think). "I can take it from here God" says the fool...right before he is destroyed.
But my God is wise. He keeps giving me things to pray about. He gave me a very uncertain job with no prospects for the future unless my performance was stellar. I prayed for stellar performance.
My performance was less than stellar - back on our knees - a cry for mercy (who wants justice at a time like this?). We get a contract extension - mercy granted. God gets the credit, not me.
I got an email today. More uncertainty about the future. Due to budget cuts we might need to find a place to land in 9 months (am I one of the "non-essential?" I don't know). Back on my knees. Pray for "essentialness."
I think I know how this is going to end. I will be found to be non-essential, but then God will either allow this job to continue or provide another opportunity. He never lets me steal His glory - or think for a minute that any good thing comes from my own efforts.
He has not let me forget how desperately I need Him. He has not let me forget how fragile and fleeting are the things of this world. He has not let me forget that it is He who provides our needs - not me.
I have prayed that having a little surplus at the end of the month would not cause me to "act the fool" and bring on God's destruction. God seems to be answering that prayer. You have to be careful what you pray for.
I believe that it was one of my favorite radio preachers, David Jeremiah, that said that a lot of people in his ministry had survived the test of poverty. They went through a season of need and their faith was strengthened. On the other hand, he knew of only a handful of people who had survived the test of prosperity. Many had fallen away from the faith as a result of their blessings.
What is it about being blessed by God that makes us forget about God?
It happened to the Israelites. Read the Old Testament. Its a common theme. They cry out to God in their desperation, he delvers them, and then he abundantly blesses them. You hardly get to the next generation before God is a long forgotten afterthought. The cycle starts over. Desperation, deliverance, abandonment.
Our family has been through a season of not having much. We depended on God to provide when the budget did not work out on paper. He always provided our needs - often times in amazingly miraculous ways. I think that it is the pleasure of God to answer our very specific prayers. At that time we knew exactly what to pray for. We needed food, clothes, automobiles, or baby things. We prayed and God provided to us through his children.
Now we are in a season in which our budget is just a little bit bigger than our basic needs. I guess that is one definition of prosperity. Now its not quite as clear what exactly it is that we need to pray for.
I can see how it may be easy to forget to pray every once in a while when the belly is full, the barn is full of wheat (we got a doomsday supply when the prices started going up), and everyone is healthy. Somehow that ole wicked heart of ours tries to convince us that our blessings are a result of our own hands. We finally have it together (we think). "I can take it from here God" says the fool...right before he is destroyed.
But my God is wise. He keeps giving me things to pray about. He gave me a very uncertain job with no prospects for the future unless my performance was stellar. I prayed for stellar performance.
My performance was less than stellar - back on our knees - a cry for mercy (who wants justice at a time like this?). We get a contract extension - mercy granted. God gets the credit, not me.
I got an email today. More uncertainty about the future. Due to budget cuts we might need to find a place to land in 9 months (am I one of the "non-essential?" I don't know). Back on my knees. Pray for "essentialness."
I think I know how this is going to end. I will be found to be non-essential, but then God will either allow this job to continue or provide another opportunity. He never lets me steal His glory - or think for a minute that any good thing comes from my own efforts.
He has not let me forget how desperately I need Him. He has not let me forget how fragile and fleeting are the things of this world. He has not let me forget that it is He who provides our needs - not me.
I have prayed that having a little surplus at the end of the month would not cause me to "act the fool" and bring on God's destruction. God seems to be answering that prayer. You have to be careful what you pray for.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Proverbs 1
Verse 7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom."
I remember a comedian on TV in an interview just after he had his first child. The interviewer asked about his new role as a father. The response was meant to be funny, "I want my children to fear me," said the comedian. He went on to say that children do not need a friend, they need a daddy - and they need to have a healthy fear of their daddy.
I agree with this parenting philosophy to some degree, but what is "fear?"
I was always taught in Sunday School that "fear" meant a healthy respect for God or a reverence for God. That is exactly what I want from my children - a healthy respect. I want them to revere me as their father. Fearing God does not really mean that we are to be afraid of him - is what I was taught.
However, the more that I read the Old Testament, the more that I have come to believe that "fear" means "fear." As in, I am terrified of the consequences of disobeying God. To come face to face with God is a terrifying ordeal. What is the first word out of the mouths of mere angels? "Fear not." "Don't be afraid."
Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of all wisdom?
I believe that we only obtain wisdom through obedience to God. Sometimes God's ways seem odd or even a little goofy. If I have no fear of God, I will obey what is convenient and disregard the rest. If I am terrified that the God of the universe has consequences for disobedience, I will obey - even the goofy things. When I obey what I do not understand, I get wisdom.
That seems to be God's way. We obey first and understand later. Do you fear God enough to obey Him? If so, wisdom will come your way.
I remember a comedian on TV in an interview just after he had his first child. The interviewer asked about his new role as a father. The response was meant to be funny, "I want my children to fear me," said the comedian. He went on to say that children do not need a friend, they need a daddy - and they need to have a healthy fear of their daddy.
I agree with this parenting philosophy to some degree, but what is "fear?"
I was always taught in Sunday School that "fear" meant a healthy respect for God or a reverence for God. That is exactly what I want from my children - a healthy respect. I want them to revere me as their father. Fearing God does not really mean that we are to be afraid of him - is what I was taught.
However, the more that I read the Old Testament, the more that I have come to believe that "fear" means "fear." As in, I am terrified of the consequences of disobeying God. To come face to face with God is a terrifying ordeal. What is the first word out of the mouths of mere angels? "Fear not." "Don't be afraid."
Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of all wisdom?
I believe that we only obtain wisdom through obedience to God. Sometimes God's ways seem odd or even a little goofy. If I have no fear of God, I will obey what is convenient and disregard the rest. If I am terrified that the God of the universe has consequences for disobedience, I will obey - even the goofy things. When I obey what I do not understand, I get wisdom.
That seems to be God's way. We obey first and understand later. Do you fear God enough to obey Him? If so, wisdom will come your way.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Jesus Loves Me
Billy Graham was asked by Larry King, (paraphrase) "what is the most profound thing that you have ever heard?"
Billy Graham: "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
There have been times in my life that I have clung to the words of that song - like hanging on a jagged rock for dear life in the midst of a roiling sea. "...they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me."
Do you ever feel weak? Out of control? Unable to handle a storm? Are you ever scared?
Jesus loves you. He is strong. You don't have to be strong.
Jesus loves me when I'm good,
when I do the things I should.
Jesus loves me when I'm bad,
but it makes Him very sad.
Do you ever make Jesus sad?
Sometimes I make Jesus sad. Maybe he cries. I cry too.
He still loves me.
The Bible says so.
The Bible is true.
Billy Graham: "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
There have been times in my life that I have clung to the words of that song - like hanging on a jagged rock for dear life in the midst of a roiling sea. "...they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me."
Do you ever feel weak? Out of control? Unable to handle a storm? Are you ever scared?
Jesus loves you. He is strong. You don't have to be strong.
Jesus loves me when I'm good,
when I do the things I should.
Jesus loves me when I'm bad,
but it makes Him very sad.
Do you ever make Jesus sad?
Sometimes I make Jesus sad. Maybe he cries. I cry too.
He still loves me.
The Bible says so.
The Bible is true.
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