Comfort for God's People

Here are some passages from Isaiah 40 that I found encouraging.

"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).

This passage seems appropriate so close to Christmas because verse 3 is the verse John the Baptist quoted when people asked him who he was. They wondered if he was the Christ. And he seemed very glad to reply that he was not, but that he was the voice in the desert announcing the coming of the Messiah.

"'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:25-26)

"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28b-31).

May God bless your hearts this week, providing comfort and joy when you need it most.

"My Times Are in Your Hands"

Isn't that a great phrase? It's from Psalm 31.

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (Ps. 31:14-15a).

Here are two more encouraging verses from this psalm. It is important to note that David, while writing this psalm, was experiencing a difficulty of some kind. Life was not a bed of roses. But he chose to praise God.

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul" (Ps. 31:7).

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" (Ps. 31:24).

When You're Just Not Feelin' It

Satan's been at work. He's been trying to get at me all this week. I've had unpleasant dreams, I'm stressed about work, Christmas is right around the corner, and things just don't seem right. So what do you do when you feel like this? I prayed hard last night that God would protect me from Satan's attacks. This morning I e-mailed close friends to ask them to pray for me. And then I read Psalm 29 and 30.

David wrote these psalms after he had come through a difficult time. Sometimes it's hard to read scriptures like that when you haven't yet reached that point in a period of difficulty. But that is faith. Faith is believing that God will answer, that He will come through, no matter what suffering you have experienced.

Here are some verses I found encouraging:

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace" (Ps. 29:11).

"O LORD, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit" (Ps. 30:3).

"[W]eeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5b).

I am reminded here of Dr. Green, a minister from the Oak Cliff area in Dallas, that has come to speak at our church twice. One of his sermon titles was "How Long the Night?" If you didn't hear that sermon, I recommend that you access the sermons on my church's website. Some "nights" are very, very long. As Christians, we do have the assurance that this long night on earth will end with rejoicing in our new home of heaven.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever" (Ps. 30:11-12).

I'm not feeling that way today. But I have felt it before, particularly in the last few months. I know my God is good. And I know that He will bring me joy.

True Trust

Here's a passage from Psalm 28:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one" (Ps. 28:7-8).

I also read Isaiah 37 this morning. The king of Assyria sent word to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, that he shouldn't trust God because Assyria had already conquered so many other lands. He told the people of Judah not to be deceived by Hezekiah's word that God would protect them. So Hezekiah talked to God. He said,

"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth...It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God" (Isaiah 37:16, 18-20).

And God said that He would take care of King Sennacherib of Assyria...and He did.

Hezekiah, in this instance, was the most interested in God's reputation. Of course he wanted protection. But he was most certainly angry that this king belittled his God. Even when it seems that your situation is hopeless, trust in God.

Take Heart

Some encouragement from Psalm 27....

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident...For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock...[A]t his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD" (Ps. 27:1, 3, 5, 6b).

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Ps. 27:14).

Everlasting Joy!

My mother loved a song by Maranatha that, I've just discovered, is based on Isaiah 35. I remember singing along and marching in place to the cassette tape. Even as a child, I felt such encouragement from the message in the song. The song is taken from the last verse in the chapter. I'd like to share other passages in the chapter first.

The title of this chapter in the New International Version is "Joy of the Redeemed." That sure caught my interest!

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy" (Isaiah 35:1-2a).

Crocuses, I believe, are one of the first flowers that push their heads out of the ground in the spring. I have seen many photos of crocus sprouting up from under layers of snow. This imagery makes me think of the neverending winter (with no Christmas!) in Narnia that did finally come to an end.

"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with a vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you'" (Isaiah 35:3-4).

I like that we are told first to be strong. Sometimes we have to be strong even as we are afraid. But we are able to be strong because we have access to God's power, and that gives us cause to be unafraid. I also like the fact that God will "come with a vengeance" to save us. The enemy better watch out; he's going to get it in the end.

"Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:6).

Several years ago a CD titled "Streams in the Desert" was produced with several different Christian artists contributing to it. It's a beautiful piece. Though I haven't listened to it in a while, I recommend it.

And here's the passage that inspired the Maranatha song:

"[T]he ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away" (Isaiah 35:9b-10).

I have a thing with crowns. When my mother and I saw the Crown Jewels during our trip to England in 1999, I went back to see them about five times. They are amazing. But a crown of everlasting joy? Aaaaahhhh. That is my kind of crown. And can you imagine--"gladness and joy will overtake them"? I can get pretty filled with the joy of my God. But when I get home, that will be some serious joy! Can't wait till we're all there together.

Hope Vs. Hope

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4-5).

Hey, isn't this--or a psalm like it--used in a Third Day song? I love Third Day--my favorite Christian band ever.

Recently my husband and I had a discussion about the use of the word "hope" in the Bible. We English speakers use the word "hope" in a cross-your-fingers-and-wish kind of way, such as "I hope it snows tomorrow." But the Bible's "hope" is different. It is an assurance, a solid belief that we will be protected, that God, goodness, and justice will ultimately prevail. In the above passage, David, I think, was reminding himself that no matter what situation arose that day, God had his back. He would be safe.

"The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

Whoa. God confides in His people. This thought reminds me of the passages that talk about responsibilities God gives us, such as "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48b). But the idea that God confides in us baffles me. But really, when you think about it, it makes sense. God created us for Himself. He made us to have a relationship with Him.

"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare" (Psalm 25:15).

David understood that he could not rescue himself. God alone has the power to save us. And more than that, thanks to God the Father and Jesus, we have access to the power that confronts and combats evil in our lives, as well as the Spirit to guide us. Never forget that you are a child of God and therefore are empowered to do battle with Satan. You are equipped to fight. God never sends His people into a war zone without weapons. You've got them. Use them.

The Sure Foundation for Our Times

Not much to say in comment to the following passages. I pray they encourage you as much as they did me this morning.

Grace and peace to all of you.

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter...The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure" (Isaiah 33:2-3, 5-6).

A glimpse, perhaps, of what we long to experience "in that day":

"Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar" (Isaiah 33:17).

Praise God. Knowing what is in store for us makes it easier to get through each day. But it'll be awesome to get home, won't it?

God's Other "Child"

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters" (Psalm 24:1-2).

As Christians, we find comfort in knowing that God loves us because He made us; we are His creation. We are not God's only creation, though. He also made the earth. In fact, He crafted the world before He made us.

As I read Psalm 24 this morning, it struck me how much God must love the earth. I've thought in the past that God created the earth and gave it to us to care for. But I never thought about God's love for His world. This realization could certainly alter one's perspective on environmental issues. Let's be mindful of how we can better care for this beautiful world over which God has appointed us stewards.

A Classic

Here's another great passage to read in the midst of the busyness of this season. It speaks for itself. Allow yourself to really consider each phrase as you read it; don't just skim over it, as it is commonly quoted.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23, NIV)

Isaiah's Aslan

December 9th will be an important day. C.S. Lewis' classic story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will be introduced as a film. There has been at least one version made of it, and well, it wasn't too great. But we live in the time of directors like Peter Jackson, who re-introduced us to the Lord of the Rings stories, and their crews of technological magicians. In anticipation of the opening of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, my husband and I have been re-reading the book at night. Even grown-ups need good bedtime stories! I thank God for my mother who read to me for many, many years and encouraged my reading beyond my childhood. She loved Lewis' works.

A shiny gem of scripture emerged from the text of Isaiah 31 this morning. For those of you who don't know (and I recommend you read the book before you see the movie--it's not long), Aslan is the name of the lion--a Christ figure--in Lewis' book. As you read the passage below, you'll see why I'm so excited to see the movie. And the fantastic thing is that this fantasy is real.

"'This is what the LORD says to me: 'As a lion growls, a great lion over his prey--and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against him, he is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor--so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.'" (Isaiah 31:4)

Just Rest

This morning I read Isaiah 30. God is beyond frustrated with His people. They don't want to listen to the prophets and hear what their future will be if they continue to ignore God. Despite God's frustration with them, He tells them how much He wants to do for them if they will only look to Him for their survival and protection.

"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...'" (Is. 30:15).

Isaiah further says, "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion...How gracious he will be when you cry for help! Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Is. 30:19b, 21).

Yesterday I read an article about napping. Short times of rest can re-energize us and make us more effective in our work. Furthermore, taking time to relax and be peaceful can do wonders for our mental health. Similarly, if we will quiet ourselves and tune in to God and allow Him to take the stresses that weigh us down, we will find that He is in fact our salvation of, not only our souls, but also of our daily struggles and anxieties.

The holiday season is here. I urge you to take many chunks of time, even if it's just 15-minute snippets, to quiet your spirit and remember what Christmas celebrates. And while you're at it, make times of peace and quiet a New Year's Resolution for 2006.

The Process of Pain

In Psalm 22, David is in serious distress. This chapter is a wonderful example of what to do when we are feeling the same way.

He begins, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?" (Ps. 22:1). God does not want us to try to hide our emotions from Him. After all, He knows our thoughts before we think them! He's a big enough God to handle your ranting, groaning, and complaining. But you must be prepared to quiet yourself in His presence, too, in order to perceive His response.

David goes on to say, "In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed" (Ps. 22:4-5). David reminds himself of God's track record. God saved His people from Egyptian captivity, among other bonds.

Therefore, based on his assurance of God's goodness and ability to rescue, David requests, "But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me" (Ps. 22:19). Because he has recognized what God has done in the past, David can now ask God for comfort and help.

David ends in praising God: "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help" (Ps. 22:22-24).

I pray that when you feel helpless and alone, you will follow David's steps of processing your pain.

The Worship of Rules...or the Rules of Worship?

Last night in church (our church added a Sunday night service, just like the morning service, this past August), the thought struck me that I seem to worship God more intently when I'm at home in my study reading His word or when I'm listening to worship music at home. At first, I felt somehow guilty about this, that I should worship God the most at church because, so the idea goes, that's where you do your worshiping. But then I thought about Jesus' words in John 4 to the Samaritan woman: "'A time is coming when you will worship neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks'" (John 4:21, 23).

When I read Isaiah 29 this morning, a verse with a related message stuck out to me: "The LORD says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men" (Is. 29:13). So, you see, the important thing is not where you do your worshiping; it is that you actually do worship and it's the condition of your heart when you worship. Our narrow human minds like to keep things in a neat little box. But God's ideas cannot be confined to such small spaces.

While church may not be your primary place of worship (mine is in my house), God wants you to be involved in a church family. We are called to encourage one another. It's hard living out in the world, so we need times of encouragement and refocusing so that we can effectively live for God in the world. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."

Another verse I found amusing and significant was Isaiah 29:16. "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" How often do we think we know what's best for us better than God does? I like this verse because it's a silly but effective reminder that God is in charge and He knows best.

Joys of Kings

I read Psalm 21 this morning. King David praises God for all He has done for him. Two verses include "joy" in them, and that's what I'd like to share today. David must have been quite a guy. It's encouraging to hear a king with such power be humbled by his God and find his supreme joy in Him.

"O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!" (Ps. 21:1).

"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence" (Ps. 21:6).

God's Garden Take 2

I love that the major site of God's original creation was a garden. God enjoys enjoying what He has made. He must really like food. Should I say I must be a girl after His heart, in that way? ;) Think about it...He promises us a huge banquet meal when the earth is made new. He put His first children in a garden and told them it was there for them to enjoy it. He walked with them, so it seems natural that He would have hung out with Adam and Eve, plucking berries, slurping on honeysuckle, and biting apples so succulent that the juices must have run down His chin. (Note: The Bible says the infamous fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was "fruit," not specifically an apple. I think it's a shame that apples get a bad rap for that scandal.)

In Isaiah 27, there are some yummy verses about "that day."

"In that day--'Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it'" (Is. 27:2-3). Maybe we're the vineyard. Maybe He's preparing the vineyard for us. Either way, I like that God is tending it in anticipation of our homecoming.

God goes on to describe how things will be at the end of earthly time.

"'I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me'" (Is. 27:4-5). I'm not sure what exactly is going on here, but I'll take a stab at it. It seems to me that God is saying it would be easier if the problem of evil were simply briers threatening His creation. But unfortunately, souls are involved, so He has to provide for reconciliation. We are the briers. Specifically, our sinful, fallen nature is the briers. We must come to Him and make peace. God must be against sin because of His pure nature of holiness. And fortunately, He is a loving God, so He gave up His Son to die for us, to make our peace with God and His peace with us possible.

Other neat-o verses:

"In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit" (Is. 27:6). I think this further supports that heaven will actually be heaven on earth.

"And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem" (Is. 27:13).

Dwelling in the Dust

"For dust you are and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3:19b).

God created Adam from dust. We will become dust. Throughout the Old Testament, dust is used as an image of mortality. It is sometimes used to refer to death. Also, putting dust or ashes on one's self was a sign of mourning in biblical times. We are made of dust, we live in a dusty world, and we ourselves will return to dust.

This morning I read Isaiah 26, which continues to talk about what God will do "in that day." The first verses I highlight deal more with what He does on earth, but can also apply to what He'll do in at the end of earthly time.

"The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws (or "judgments," says the footnote), we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts" (Is. 26:7-8).

"[A]ll that we have accomplished you have done for us" (Is. 26:12b). I really like that verse. Without our God's support, we will accomplish nothing. Sometimes things may seem successful, but that is only a facade.

Here's the verse that really got me. It includes "my" word, "joy," and it's just beautiful.

"But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead" (Is. 26:19).

As I discussed in my post yesterday, the earth will be made new. There's a verse in one of Paul's (I think it's one of his) epistles (Romans?) that says the earth itself is in the pains of birth. One day the earth will be delivered of its pain. In that time, the bodies of those who have died will rise. It's important to note that their spirits live now. It is their bodies, the dust, that will be birthed anew.

Again, if you want more information on these ideas, check out the sermon series "Amazing Place!" on my church's website. I'm just passing along ideas that I've heard and have processed in my own mind, as I'm finding other verses that support them.

May God bless you immensely with His joy today. Remember that His joy is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10b)!

God's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

A few months ago our minister taught a series about heaven. My husband and I missed a few of the sermons due to my husband's hip surgery. So a couple of nights ago we accessed our church's sermons online and listened to the messages we had missed. One of the main ideas our minister discussed was the "new earth" that is described in the Bible. "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 65:17a). It seems that earth, the "new earth" that God will restore, will be our eternal home. God originally walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Abandoning that perfection would be conceding defeat to Satan. God simply can't do that! So, He will redeem the earth as He has redeemed us.

I read Isaiah 16-25 this morning and found more verses that remind me of God's promises of restoration. The first one shows how our salvation is at all possible.

"In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness" (Is. 16:5). Jesus, who became man, will reign finally. Earlier verses in Isaiah have prophesied about His perfect government.

The other verses I read this morning describe the earth's curse and its purification as well as the gifts God will give us after the "makeover" of the earth. Two years ago my husband and I bought a house that had not been cared for by its former owner. For years, it had been mistreated and left to ruin because of the hard hearts of its occupants. But we bought it and have restored much of the house (such things take time for mere mortals) to be a home of enjoyment and comfort. The same can be said of our earth. When Adam and Eve sinned, humankind was not the only one lost. The earth was cursed as well. "The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth" (Is. 24:4-6a).

But then, when the earth has been made new, we will celebrate. "On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken" (Is. 25:6-8).

If you're interested in hearing more about heaven, I recommend this series. Click on "My Church" on the right side of this page. Once on my church's website, click on "Sermons Online" on the left side of the home page. The series is titled "Amazing Place!" and began on April 3. I believe there are 11 sermons total.

I can't wait till the makeover is complete and the time for the revealing has come!

Calling for Heavenly Back-up

When a police officer needs help with a situation, he calls for back-up. Similarly, in a difficult battle, a military officer may send for reinforcements. Sometimes in this life, we need help in dealing with frustrating situations. We need back-up.

King David understood the need for additional support. More than that, he knew that God's reinforcements were best. He said, "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion" (Ps. 20:1-2). When you're having trouble with a situation, call for heavenly back-up. Request divine reinforcements. God has made his troops available to us.

Furthermore, David recognized that God was to be given glory for His works on man's behalf. "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God" (Ps. 20:5). Notice in this verse that God is praised for victory, not humankind.

As a king, David had to consider military tactics and political strategies. It was his job. But he knew where real strength lies. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm" (Ps. 20:7-8).

When you are feeling overwhelmed, pause a moment, collect your thoughts and emotions, and make that request for God's back-up.

Words of the Skies

My mother loved clouds. Really, she loved nature in general. But in recent years, she was particularly fascinated with clouds. Subjects of her photography were as often clouds as they were family and friends.

So this morning as I read the opening lines of Psalm 19, I naturally thought of her.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." ~Psalm 19:1-4a

Perhaps King David was enjoying the simplicity of a glorious sunrise, and his thoughts turned to the simple joys of following his God. After describing the beauty of the heavens, he said, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes" (Ps. 19:7-8).

Perhaps David was awake before dawn because he couldn't sleep, worried about a decision to be faced. Or perhaps the weight of his position made rest impossible. Sometimes you have to find wisdom in the simple before you can find wisdom in more complicated and confusing matters. I imagine that he found comfort in the knowledge that God's laws of nature as well as those of morality are perfect. Even without a proper amount of sleep, I think David probably felt very rested that morning. Drawing on God's strength provides much more energy than an ordinary night's sleep.

I myself was awake before dawn this morning. The window of our study faces east and is calling me to just sit and watch. I think I'll go listen to the skies talk.

Running Through Walls

A few lines from the Jimmy Buffett/Mac McAnally song "Coast of Carolina" declare, "And the walls that won’t come down/We can decorate or climb or find some way to get around/Cause I’m still on your side/From the bottom of my heart."

As I read Psalm 18, verse 29 stuck out to me with a similar thought. It says, "With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall" (Ps. 18:29). The footnote tells me that in the original language, the first part could be "With your help I can run through a barricade." I love that. We've all watched movie scenes in which a character tries to break down a stout door. Oftentimes, he can't do it, and yet, even when he can, it usually takes a few tries or a handy battering ram that is nearby. What if he just ran through it? With God, that is possible. And, recalling the story of Jericho, God has demonstrated that sometimes walls will fall just by yelling at them...in a God-prescribed fashion, of course.

Sometimes, though, the walls don't come down. Instead, God shows us how we can decorate them (accept them and find the good in the situation) or climb them (overcome our struggle with the circumstance) or get around them some way (find a resolution other than what you'd thought of originally). Why? Cause He's still on our side, and He loves us from the bottom of His heart.

Here are a few other verses I enjoyed in Psalm 18:

"The LORD is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Ps. 18:2). This morning I read a bit about the Scottish clan from whom my family comes. Descriptions of old castles and sites of battles peppered the narrations. A photo of Caithness, Scotland, showing the cliffs near the sea, captured my attention. If you want to see it, go to http://www.clangunn.us/. The cliffs look strong and immovable. They've been there for centuries. Yet God made them. And He is infinitely stronger than any rocky terrain.

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters" (Ps. 18:16).

"[M]y God turns my darkness into light" (Ps. 18:28b).

"For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?" (Ps. 18:31).

God Will Take Care of It

Psalm 17 reveals a man who needed help. Men were after David, and he had every right to fight back. But David knew his place.

"Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry...May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right...I have kept myself from the ways of the violent" (Ps. 17:1a, 2, 4b). David knew that it was in his best interest to leave vengeance to God. He knew the permanent damage that bitterness and anger could do to his heart. Instead, he turned to God to take care of his enemies and to comfort his spirit.

"Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes...hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me" (Ps. 17:7, 8b-9a).

David also understood that this life is not the end. He said, "O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life" (Ps. 17:14a). He understood that chasing after power in this life is worthless.

I'm not sure how much David understood about the coming Messiah. But he revealed some wisdom (could it be divinely given wisdom?) when he said, "And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness" (Ps. 17:15). This verse echoes the verses in the New Testament that talk about how Jesus is our righteousness and about how we are clothed in His righteousness and, therefore, look like Him.

I also read Isaiah 13 this morning. Isaiah 13 describes an oracle regarding Babylon that the prophet Isaiah saw. The Scripture says, "I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath--those who rejoice in my triumph...The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens..." (Isaiah 13:3, 4c, 5a). It is hard to tell if God is summoning His people or if He is calling His angels to war. At any rate, this passage reminds me how much God hates evil. He is a God of justice, and He will conquer evil. In fact, He already has--at Calvary. We can claim that victory, but evil still slithers around us in the world. But one day, evil will be permanently crushed.

Wells of Salvation

"'Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation'" (Isaiah 12:2). That last part reminds me that Jesus became a man in order to become my salvation.

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (Is. 12:3). This verse reminds me of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. He offered her living water, water that would satisfy her endlessly, water that would allow her to never thirst again (John 4). I am also struck by the first phrase--"with joy." We Christians often lose our joy in our day-to-day tasks and frustrations. Let's not lose our joy, but reclaim it every day. We are the redeemed children of God!

"Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you" (Is. 12:6). This verse reminds me of my favorite name for Jesus--Emmanuel. It also excites me to think of the Christmas songs we'll soon be singing, celebrating Jesus' birth.

Hope these short musings have renewed the power of God in you today.

Real Security

Sometimes, even when things are going fine, I feel that life is so uncertain. And that is why in times like that I go to the Psalms. David was a man of great power, yet he went to God for comfort and counsel regularly. He knew that God could give him what no one or nothing else could. We often think other people or other things will give us comfort, and sometimes they do. But that kind of comfort will not last or will not be as complete as we need it to be. Only God can provide the deep nurturing and assurance that our souls need.

Here are highlights from Psalm 16.

"Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge" (Ps. 16:1).

"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me" (Ps. 16:7).

"I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (Ps. 16:8).

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Ps. 16:11).

Next time you feel anxious or blue, open up the Bible and allow God to remind you that He is right there with you. Listen to some good worship music, too.

From the Stump of Jesse

A stump is not a very inspiring image. It is dead, lifeless, and quite ugly. But sometimes stumps are not really dead. Isaiah 11 begins with the prophesy of someone great coming out of a stump. It reminds me also of people in the New Testament saying that nothing good could come out of Nazareth.

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him" (Is. 11:1-2a). The last part reminds me of the Spirit of the LORD coming to rest on Jesus like a dove when He was baptized (Luke 3:21-22).

Jesus showed deep compassion while He was on earth. Isaiah says, "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth" (Is. 11:3b-4a). Because Jesus is God, He can see into people's hearts. He knows the purposes of our actions and words.

The next parts of the chapter seem to reveal what will happen some day. "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them...They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will by full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Is. 11:6, 9). There is so much hatred and selfishness in this world. This verse encourages me and reminds me that someday Jesus' government of peace will rule.

And we will all be gathered together. Where there have been divisions unification will bring the broken pieces together. "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for all the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious" (Is. 11:10). "United in Christ." Maybe someday we'll really understand what it means to be the body of Christ.

God of Justice and Mercy

God is definitely mad at Israel in Isaiah 10. He has allowed other rulers to oppress them. (The funny thing is one of those guys thinks he did it all himself, not understanding God allowed him to reign. See Isaiah 10:12-16 for more about that.) Yet God does not like to see oppression. He says through Isaiah, "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and rob my oppressed people of justice, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless" (Is. 10:1-2).

However, God is a God of pure goodness; no sin can be associated with Him. Despite being oppressed by others, God's people are not sinless. Therefore, "yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised" (Is. 10:4b.

What then can be done? Can we do anything to change our sinful state? Nope. We can't. But as God told the Israelites in this chapter, "Very soon my anger against you will end" (Is. 10:25a).

Can God ignore sin? No, He can't. But God is a generous and creative God. He has always had a few tricks up His sleeve to trump what Satan intends to do to us. I glanced at the title for Isaiah 11. It looks like tomorrow holds some good, encouraging reading! Stay tuned....

Christmas Is Coming

You don't have to go far to know that Christmas is fast approaching. Holiday decorations are in retail stores, and commercials on TV are advising you on what to purchase for family members this holiday season. I have always loved Christmas. But in the last couple of years, I have been pained at observing our society's misguided use of it. I want Christmas in my home to be first and foremost about God's ultimate gift of love for us--sending His Son to become a fellow human being in order to save us.

This morning I picked up where I last left off in Isaiah. I was thrilled at seeing the title of chapter 9--To Us a Child Is Born. Chapter 8 painted a bleak picture for Israel. Things didn't look good for God's chosen people. He had given them chance after chance to redeem themselves and repent of their evil ways. But they did not, not fully anyway. So, what will happen?

Chapter 9 opens this way: "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Zaphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan" (Isaiah 9:1). One has the sense of a new dawn breaking the horizon, a new sun unlike one that has ever been.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest" (Is. 9:2-3a). We are people walking in the land of the shadow of death. The result of sin is death--eternal death. But...God presents us with hope....

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end" (Is. 9:6-7a).

What joy! We were completely without hope. We could never save ourselves because none of us is blameless (Psalm 14:1-3, Ps. 15:1-2). We were meant for the grave. But God sent a Redeemer, His Son, a part of Himself, to pay the cost of our sins. One of my favorite Christmas songs is, of course, Joy to the World. When you understand the significance of Christ's birth, His death, and His upcoming return, joy seems to be the only logical choice of responses. And can you imagine a government run by God? Talk about compassion in politics! A ruler who rules with peace--only God could effectively pull that one off.

As the holidays draw closer, make a point of reading about Jesus--the prophesies about Him, the narration of His birth, the stories about His life in the gospels. Yuletide stresses may melt away as you bask in the glory of our "newborn King."

None of Us

Proverbs is a great book to read, but I'm glad it's over. It's nice to have a little variety in one's reading material! :)

This morning I read Psalm 15. It's only 5 verses long, and often when I run across a chapter that short, I'll go ahead and read another. But I didn't need to do that this morning. The psalm opens like this: "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless" (Ps. 15:1-2a). Ouch. "Blameless"? That doesn't include me. Reading the next few phrases hurts even more. "He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman" (Ps. 15:2-3).

The last few days I have not been very disciplined in my prayer life. And I can tell. You can read the Scriptures all you want, but if you don't ask God to bless your application of it and give you the strength and power to follow what you read, then you're headed for trouble. Conversely, if you pray but aren't reading your Bible, you're shutting yourself off from many of God's responses to your prayers. Anyway, it's easy to know what you're supposed to do, but it's another thing entirely to do it. And here's the thing: we cannot live up to God's standard of our own accord. It's simply not possible. James said, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check...No man can tame the tongue" (James 3:2, 8a).

Only one human was ever perfect. And thankfully, He made up for our sin. In fact, He erased it completely, once and for all. We will stumble all our lives. We will never become perfect in this life. But we are called to follow Christ's example, and the way to do that is to ask God to empower the Holy Spirit in us to develop the fruits of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23a). Another thought: When you ask God to purify your heart, you'd better be prepared for it to sting.

I'll close with this verse that I ran across in James that talks about heavenly wisdom--quite appropriate after finishing up Proverbs. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:17-18, emphasis added).

A Modern Day Woman

I always forget that Proverbs 31 holds more than "The Wife of Noble Character" passage. There are nine verses preceding it that are words of wisdom from a king's mother. The last two verses struck me strongly. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Prov. 31:8-9). I have been considering such ideas quite a bit lately. It seems to me that we need to follow Jesus. He spent time with the misfits and outcasts of society, with the poor. He told them that they were the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). We need to recognize the value of all people, regardless of their financial status.

Now...this ideal to which women ought to aspire. Quite frankly, I used to resent Proverbs 31:10-31. That's a tall order! "Her lamp does not go out at night"? (v. 18). She works constantly, and yet she's still dressed in beautiful clothes and looks great. Yeah, right! But as I have matured and really thought about this passage, I have begun to realize that many, many women follow in this woman's footsteps. She does work hard, but she is also wise. "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard" (Prov. 31:16). Okay, so where did she get the money to buy the field? Well, she works for it: "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes" (Prov. 31:24). One of the mistakes that Christians make is that it is believed a woman should downplay her beauty and not accent it. No! She makes clothes for a living, and they're nice ones, too. Also, she's making good money from her clothing business and her vineyard (gosh, I'd love to see it), so "she makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple" (Prov. 31:22). In those days, purple dye came from shellfish that were rather rare. So purple clothing was a sign of wealth.

But she does not indulge herself at the expense of others or of her own character. "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy" (Prov. 31:20). She also takes care of her own household and takes care of her servants. To make a parallel to our society, a wise woman takes care of those who take care of her, whether it's the people who do her drycleaning and bag her groceries, or who are her employees.

She also realizes that "charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Prov. 31:30). "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come" (Prov. 31:25). And what about her words? Does she gossip or speak ill of others? "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (Prov. 31:26).

So, what is her husband up to? I believe he is "respected at the city gate" (Prov. 31:23) partly because of her. Also, "he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all'" (Prov. 31:28b-29). He acknowledges her and compliments her. And he doesn't do it just at home to her. Verse 31 says, "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." I think her husband brags about her to his buddies. Plus, the city leaders probably recognize her work for the poor.

Is it such a tall order? I don't think so. It's simply a woman following God's call on her life. And when that's your objective, God gives you His strength to accomplish it.

This and That

I read Proverbs 27 and 28 this morning. Here are verses I highlighted:

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Prov. 27:1). We may make plans, but we never are completely sure that they will come to fruition. We must look at each day as a gift.

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel" (Prov. 27:9). A true friend has your best interests at heart, and his or her advice brings joy because of his or her pure motives.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Prov. 27:17). My husband and I requested that our minister include this verse in our wedding. Margaret Fuller said, "Two persons love in one another the future good which they aid one another to unfold." Love is tricky in that you love someone as they are, but also love him and, therefore, help him to achieve the full potential that God has created within him.

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man" (Prov. 27:19). If you are miserable, your face shows it. But if you tend to the beauty of your heart, it will flow into your outward appearance.

"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever..." (Prov. 27:23-24a). This verse deals with our financial affairs. If you neglect your finances, how can you expect them to be in good health? You must maintain your financial health as you do (or should!) maintain your physical health.

"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion" (Prov. 28:1). So true! Someone who knows he is wrong often acts very defensively and often thinks he has been found out, even if he and God are the only ones who know what he has done. Conversely, when you are following God's ways, you know you are safe ultimately.

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" (Prov. 28:13). This verse makes me wonder again if David drove this point home to his son Solomon over and over. One who harbors a sin in his heart will not find true joy. The funny thing is that oftentimes a person thinks he or she is hiding a sin, but others do know about it. The best thing for everyone is for that person to confront the sin. He or she may find that people will not condemn him or her, but will be supportive and loving.

"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses" (Prov. 28:27). This idea keeps nudging me more and more. I am reminded of the verse that says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). Our society is so driven by materialism. It is destroying our spirits. Chasing after more wealth is like chasing after the wind. The wind always changes, and has one ever grasped the wind between his fingers? It is not right to be blind to the obstacles that face other members of our society. It is pathetic that we often long for more than what we have when we have been blessed with so much. How can we love and save the world if we don't even know what's going on in parts of our own country? I was taught that life is not fair, but I always believed that we should try to make it as fair as possible. Compassion seems to be a lost virtue at times. May God convict our hearts to begin to look for and love all His children.

Keep It To Yourself

Proverbs 26 isn't the most cheerful of chapters, but two verses stuck out for their wisdom.

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself" (Prov. 26:4). In our society, we say, "Don't stoop to his level." This is one of those instances when it's probably best to just drop a matter.

"Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own" (Prov. 26:17). Getting involved in someone else's argument usually doesn't end well.

I pray you measure your words before you speak them and consider your possible actions today.

The Poetry of Proverbs

Often the wisdom of Proverbs is straightforward. But other times poetic imagery brings the words to life in a way that simple prose just can't match. Enjoy the beauty of the words in the verses from Proverbs 25 I found especially inspiring. Some are comforting and others just hit the nail on the head in the area of undesirable behavior.

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (Prov. 25:11)

"Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." (Prov. 25:12)

"Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters." (Prov. 25:13)

"Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give." (Prov. 25:14)

"Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble." (Prov. 25:19)

"Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." (Prov. 25:20). Sometimes it helps to cheer up one who is down, but sometimes you ought to "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15b).

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." (Prov. 25:25)

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." (Prov. 25:28)

I hope you enjoyed the analogies in the verses as much as I did. May you store up the wisdom of them in your heart.

The Strength and Beauty of Wisdom

The strength and beauty of wisdom are illuminated in Proverbs 24. Verses 3 and 4 are particularly delightful. "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures" (Prov. 24:3-4). This past weekend, my husband and I worked on organizing our garage. I ran across some little treasures as well as some old letters and essays from my high school years. This passage reminds me that impeccable furniture and flawless decor do not make a home. A home is built of laughter, long talks about God's love for us, our hopes for our work for Him, and memories of those we love. Here's another beautiful verse about wisdom: "Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (Prov. 24:14).

Wisdom blesses us with hope and strength for the present as well as the future. "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength" (Prov. 24:5). Verse 10 says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" Now, of course, times of trouble are difficult. But if you have been storing up wisdom and the strength it begets, when those hard times come, you will be more able to face them with courage and peace.

Also in this chapter are some verses about how to respond to those who hurt you.

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove..." (Prov. 24:17-18a).

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out" (Prov. 24:19-20).

"Do not say, 'I'll do that to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did'" (Prov. 24:29).

These verses remind me of what Jesus would say centuries later: "'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven'" (Matt. 5:44-45a).

Wisdom doesn't always make sense to our earthly minds. But the more you follow your Savior, the more His words make sense.

Making God's Desires Your Own

I have been thinking lately about what it is that God desires most. I believe that 1) God desires glory for Himself and that we will glorify Him with our lives, and 2) God desires peace and love to exist among His people and between Himself and His people. I thought of the tidings of the angels at the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased" (Luke 2:14; American Standard Version).

I have also begun to think about what is truly in our hearts as Christians. Do we act as we do because we truly desire what God desires or because that's what we've been taught to do, and we've been brought up to be a "good person"? One's actions do not always reveal what is really in his or her heart. But God knows each of our hearts, even better than each of us knows himself or herself. Solomon put it this way: "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart" (Prov. 21:2, emphasis added). It is one thing to keep silent when someone wrongs you, but it is another thing entirely to pray for that person (Matthew 5:44). Who was it that suggested that? Oh, yeah, only Jesus, the One we claim to be following if we are Christians! I suggest that we follow Solomon's lead as he wrote in Proverbs 21:1, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Wouldn't it be nice if all leaders did this?

Proverbs 21 offers more insight into the desires of God's heart as well as how, in the end, "it all comes out in the wash."

"When justice is done, it brings JOY to the righteous but terror to evildoers" (Prov. 21:15). God is a God of justice. It cannot be any other way since He is supreme good. Injustices incur wrath in God. Let us remember that we each also incur the wrath of God. Thankfully, however, He is also a loving God of mercy and forgiveness, who does not wish any of His children to perish (2 Peter 3:9b), and His Son willed Himself to atone for our numerous sins.

"He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor" (Prov. 21:21). Here's another example of a lasting reward (as opposed to a temporary reward, as I discussed in yesterday's post). God will reward those who desire what He desires.

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD" (Prov. 21:30-31). As Paul said, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b). I love verses like this. Makes me want to stick my tongue out at Satan. What arrogance to think he could ever ultimately win against God. Actually, it makes me want to get out my sword and get ready for spiritual battle. Well, I already have (Ephesians 6:17)! But I can't wait to see God triumph over Satan at the end of time. That will be so cool. Back to Proverbs 21:30-31...what comfort this passage holds for those of us who claim God as our Father!

I pray that you cling to God and His ways today, for His ways are the just and loving ways that bring life.

Temporary Rewards vs. Lasting Rewards

Rewards are a significant factor in creating motivation. If we know there's a good thing at the end of our work, we will usually do the work. The trick is to understand the difference between temporary rewards and lasting rewards. Proverbs 20 offers wisdom in considering the different types of rewards and their implications.

"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest he looks but finds nothing" (Prov. 20:4). A lazy person "rewards" himself with relaxation in the present moment. But a wise worker understands the future will come, so he rewards himself with food at harvest time by doing the work when it needs to be done.

"The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him" (Prov. 20:7). Parents must make difficult choices in raising their children. Sometimes it is tempting to participate in unethical or questionable behavior in work situations in order to advance one's career. One could justify that he or she is trying to make more money for the benefit of his or her children. But at what cost? Being a model of integrity is a better blessing to one's kids than more money, or the hope of more money. Sometimes it seems better to give one's children many things, such as toys and clothes. But in the long run, the children may become spoiled by such extravagance, may never be satisfied in their adult lives, and may not have thankful hearts. A heart of contentment and gratitude is a greater blessing than dozens of toys under a Christmas tree that will eventually end up being relegated to the attic. (Note: Giving to one's children is certainly a good thing. Just be aware of how many things and be sure to develop their own generosity to others.)

"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right" (Prov. 20:11). I am not a parent, but I imagine that it is often exhausting and frustrating when disciplining a child. It is easier to give in to a child, but when a lesson in developing his or her character is at hand, you will be blessing your child with lasting rewards by sticking to your guns and doing what you know what is best for your child in the long run. Better to develop good habits early on than to do to break bad habits later.

"Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you" (Prov. 20:22). This one really doesn't make sense to the world. The choice in this situation is either the temporary reward of getting revenge or the lasting reward of knowing you are acting as God would want you to. Plus, I don't think vengeance brings joy. But deliverance does.

So what do we do when the way to lasting rewards doesn't seem to make sense? Here's what Solomon said: "A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (Prov. 20:24). If you are truly seeking God's will for your life and are following the Spirit's prompting, you may not even understand what you're doing! But God will know where He is leading you. And that's all you really need to know. Remember: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Here's the "oops, I messed up again and didn't do the wise thing" verse: "Who can say, 'I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'?" (Prov. 20:9). Answer: None of us! So don't beat yourself up about it. Do the wise thing, which is to learn from your errors and move on. Life is too short not to pursue an abundant life, and wisdom is one of the ways to secure a life of joy.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

We all have decisions to make on a daily basis. Sometimes, though, we face major decisions. Now is one of those times for me. So, Proverbs 19 holds some very good advice.

"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way" (Prov. 19:2). One should always consider a matter carefully, collecting as much information about the topic as possible. It is also wise to take one's time in making a decision.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" (Prov. 19:21). So, I can only conclude that if you desire God's will and purpose in your life, then you will always succeed. It may not always feel like it, and your plans may change, but if you truly desire what God desires, you have the assurance that you are living your life appropriately and will have God's blessing.

"The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble" (Prov. 19:23). Again, if you honor God with your life, everyday stresses tend to lessen. You will still have to face the frustrations and troubles of this earthly life, but you will be blessed by the comfort that only God can give.

One verse off this topic that I found interesting is Proverbs 19:15a: "Laziness brings on deep sleep...." (Actually, being lazy is a decision, too.) I'm not sure what the intention of this phrase is. But I have found that the more you avoid work or issues you don't want to face, the harder it is to do it. Better to go ahead and do what needs to be done than to put it off, thereby making it even more difficult than it would have been starting out.

I ask you to pray for my church's minister. He is doing mighty things for God that Satan will probably try to attack. Pray for Rick, the leaders of the church, and the church as a whole, so it will support the efforts of the church. Thank you!

Words, Work, Etc.

Proverbs 18 is another chapter that addresses a variety of issues. We'll start off with one of the threads that is the tapestry of Proverbs: our words.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Prov. 18:21). Other places in the chapter, Solomon talks about "the fruit of a man's mouth." Basically, the messages you send with your mouth are what you are feeding yourself. If you are feeding yourself spiteful, negative, or crude messages, you ought not expect your spirit to be very healthy.

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions" (Prov. 18:2). Most of us know at least one person who likes to talk but doesn't like to listen. Not much else to say, except that behavior like that is foolish.

"He who answers before listening--that is his folly and his shame" (Prov. 18:13). Very similar behavior to that addressed in the previous verse. It is impossible to have a reasonable discussion with a person like this, so don't bother getting frustrated. It's not worth the energy! Again, behavior like this alienates people and ends up making the speaker/non-listener look stupid because this type of person does not speak based on knowledge or what others say.

Now for a verse on relationships. "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). Some people tend to have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and others have a small circle of very close friends. I have always belonged to the second group. There is absolutely nothing wrong or wiser about having a large number of friends. But there are only a few friends in one's life who will be loyal no matter what happens. These are the friends who are gifts from God and are such a support to our hearts.

Friends help us in so many ways, one being keeping our spirits up in hard times. Verse 14 demonstrates the importance of this. "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?" (Prov. 18:14). As I've said before, we live in a fallen world; therefore, bad things will happen to us. But it is wise to focus on God and surround yourself with people who will redirect your eyes back to God when you become downcast. That is the way to make it through the bad times.

A word about work ethic: "One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys" (Prov. 18:9). It seems that not many people truly take pride in their work these days. The way to success in many workplaces is to do the bare minimum and rely on office politics to safeguard one's position. That may bring worldly success, but it is NOT God's way. Don't be discouraged when others around you are rewarded when they have done nothing of merit. Remember Colossians 3:23-25: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism."

It's a tough world out there, people. So what do we do when we are so beaten down by it that we feel helpless? "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" (Prov. 18:10). 'Nuff said.

Postscript to "Keeping Your Mouth Shut..."

I thought about this earlier, but I guess I forgot about it. But I think it is vital that you understand this before you attempt to tame your tongue. James said, "[N]o man can tame the tongue" (James 3:8a). Before you say, "See? I told you so. I shouldn't even try because I know I'll fail," consider Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." You will not be able to tame your tongue with your own efforts alone. Ask God to give you the wisdom, strength, guidance, and desire to control your words. Ask Him with your whole heart and will. You must be willing for His will to be accomplished in you.

Whew! Okay, I feel better now!

Keeping Your Mouth Shut Is Step 1

While the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, it may be possible that just keeping your mouth shut is the precursor to wisdom. In Proverbs 17:28, Solomon says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." James, in the New Testament, spent most of a chapter explaining the importance of taming the tongue. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:9-10). If we truly want to follow Christ and bring glory to our Father, we must learn to weigh our words. Consider the power of words. We can do damage with our words, or we can do good with them. Life, really, boils down to a series of choices. We are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). For these reasons, let us consider the words of Proverbs 17 on these matters.

"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out" (Prov. 17:14). I'm glad I haven't kept a record of how many stupid arguments I have perpetuated with my husband. I would be embarrassed by how long the list would be. In a card given to us for our wedding from my mom and dad, my mom had written a paraphrase of what their minister had said in a sermon. It went something like this: "When two people stand before God in Judgment, they're going to feel pretty silly telling Him they split up over how the toothpaste cap was put on." Those arguments are so ridiculous, but they are also dangerous. We have seen recently the devastation that comes from a dam breached. So think wisely before you open your mouth.

"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends" (Prov. 17:9). When someone offends us, one of the first things we do is tell someone else about it. We say we need to vent, that we need to have someone validate our feelings. Are you bringing joy to the world when you do this? (By the way, I'm saying 'ouch' the whole time I'm writing this.) And if the person who offended us and the person to whom we are repeating the story know each other...well, you're demonstrating a severe lack of good judgment. Are you promoting peace and love between fellow human beings? Nope. Is God pleased when you do that? Nope. Ouch.

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife" (Prov. 17:1). We've all been in a situation at a dinner table in which the tension was so thick, it could be cut with, not a knife, but a spoon. Filet mignon, new potatoes with rosemary, and crisp salad could be the menu, but you will not enjoy that meal. Who could with such hostility lurking underneath the table? And God help everyone if the insults are passed around with as much frequency as the salt shaker. That reminds me that we are also to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). We are to preserve the unity and love that God bequeathed to us. Back to the dinner imagery...I'd rather eat Ramen noodles and be laughing my head off at something entertaining my husband said than eat in the finest restaurants in the world and be miserable.

Be honest with yourself as you consider these issues. Remember, too, that "the LORD tests the heart" (Prov. 17:3b). You cannot lie to Him. He knows you better than you know yourself. But He wants you to have life abundantly.

One more thought to keep in mind, particularly as we approach flu season. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Prov. 17:23). Keep your focus on God. Line your thoughts up with His. His ways are healing, and they are the way to life. Remember that a joyful spirit reduces the occurrence of stress, and stress is a key factor in becoming sick.

Anger and Guarding Your Heart

Anger management--certainly a skill that we all need to hone. Some people are fairly laidback, while others have steam coming out of their ears at the slightest annoyance. One thing I know for sure: when you manage the emotion of anger, you feel so much better. I would imagine that your physical health improves, too. Now, the emotion of anger is not wrong in and of itself. I believe it is a good thing that we become angry when hearing of injustices and abuses in our world. But we must monitor what we get angry about. For example, it's pretty fruitless and stupid to get angry about a fly buzzing around one's house. We must not let anger consume us. Proverbs 14 holds 3 verses that are reminders how important it is for us to manage this emotion.

"A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless." (Prov. 14:16)

"A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated." (Prov. 14:17)

"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." (Prov. 14:29)

So, the next time you find your anger beginning to boil, check yourself before you do something stupid, such as breaking an object or someone's heart.

Some other verses I found interesting....

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (Prov. 14:30). I have struggled with envy. It is not a pleasant feeling. For this reason, it is so important to guard your heart against such emotions. The horrible thing about envy is that it takes root easily, and the roots grow deep very quickly. Greed, malice, and hatred often shoot off of envy that has been allowed to stay in one's heart. Don't just prune away at your envy; dig it up, roots and all. And how do you do that? Consciously thinking of all you have that not everyone has is a good strategy. Doing it every day and writing down what you think of, a la a gratitude journal, is often helpful. Also, considering the difficulties the person of whom you are envious is facing is also a good strategy.

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (Prov. 14:23). As the phrase goes, "all talk and no action." Talking about plans can be a great motivator to actually getting the job done. But beware of talking about it to avoid doing it. One really looks foolish in that situation.

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down" (Prov. 14:1). This could probably be applied to many different situations. To me, at this moment, it is an inspiration to be persistent about improving the physical aspects of my home as well as about working on the talents and skills God has given me so that I use them to His glory. This verse can also be applied to maintaining marital relationships. Great marriages are not built overnight!

"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy" (Prov. 14:10). This verse intrigued me, and I looked it up in a variety of translations of the Bible. I'm not exactly sure what Solomon had in mind when he wrote that. But my interpretation is that each of us has sorrows, and each of us has joys. Others can sympathize and can rejoice with a person, but no one can experience exactly what that person feels. I think that is why knowing God is such a comfort. He made each of us and knows each individual better than that person knows himself or herself. And Jesus came to earth in order to experience life as a human being so He could serve as an intercessor on our behalf, knowing what it feels like to be human. The amazing wisdom of God, to know that's what we would need!

Money Matters and More

If you're feeling like some areas of your day-to-day life need some organization (or an overhaul), Proverbs sure is the book to read. It's almost exhausting sometimes to read, isn't it? Well, let's all remember that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

Solomon gives more advice on money matters in Proverbs 13. The first is really more of an observation and advice on how we should view money. He says, "One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth" (Prov. 13:7). Stories abound about wealthy people appearing in public and presenting themselves as "average" people. I always like to hear about these stories. I think they help in many ways. First of all, if you are wealthy, you shouldn't be showing it off. God gave it to you in the first place, and it is wise to remember that. Secondly, if you are not so wealthy, you are probably more of a victim to that disease of wishing you had what someone else has. I have found that people who look like they have a great deal of money often don't. They have numerous creditors instead! You cannot judge wealth by appearances. And does it really matter anyway?

So what should we all do in managing our money? We should not crave wealth, but God does make us stewards of what He has blessed us with. Furthermore, verse 22 does say, "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children." The Bible is full of direction in how to manage our finances. Verse 11b says, "[H]e who gathers money little by little makes it grow." Our society has trained us to want things immediately. But that is not God's way; therefore, that is not the way of wisdom.

This leads to an area related to money matters. What does it take to save money? Diligence and discipline. We must also consider an opposite trait: laziness. Most of us struggle with this in some area of our lives. What warning does God give? "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied" (Prov. 13:4). If you really want something, you'd better be prepared to work for it. God does bless us with things when we don't deserve them, but because He is a God of justice, He also rewards people for their hard work. And don't you just feel better when you've accomplished something, particularly when you didn't feel like doing it? The phrase "A clean house is a godly house" just popped into my head. Hmmm...sigh!

There are two other verses I found in Proverbs 13 that I'd like to share.

"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice" (Prov. 13:10). Isn't that true? When we humble ourselves, things seem to be so much more peaceful. And when you are humble, it's easier to accept your flaws and learn how to improve in those areas. Who wouldn't want to improve himself or herself?

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Prov. 13:20). Here is yet another warning about choosing your company. Whatever you are allowing yourself to be exposed to, whether it's the people with whom you interact, the television shows you watch, or the food you eat, that is what you will become. We must be very careful about what we take into our minds, hearts, and bodies.

Being a Christ-follower is a tough business. No one ever said it would be easy. Jesus said that His burden is light, though, compared to the burdens we carry with our own strength alone. So remember today that He's there to help you carry whatever it is you're dealing with. Give up your humanly pride and ask Him for some help. He wants you to look like Him, so He's eager to help you.