Have you ever tried to second guess God? Well let me tell you, it’s very frustrating. In college, I spent a year in Japan. There were thirty of us from colleges all over the United States. We lived with host families and we studied five hours everyday at a small private college in Kobe. Although…
Category: Proverbs
Whoever has it rests satisfied
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (Proverbs 19:23 ESV) The fear of the Lord leads to life… Whoever has (the fear of the Lord) rests satisfied… He (who has the fear of the Lord) will not be visited by harm. Does doubt…
Proverbs Day 31 – An excellent wife
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10 ESV) An excellent wife who can find, reminds me of the Jane Austen quote in Pride and Prejudice about the accomplished woman. Caroline Bingly and Mr. Darcy define an accomplished woman as one having extraordinary qualities. “no one can be really esteemed…
Proverbs Day 30 – Two things I ask
Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the…
Proverbs Day 29 – Fear of man
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25 NIV) My childhood could be characterized in one word – fearful. I was afraid my father wouldn’t love me, afraid my mother would leave me, afraid of strangers, afraid of people with unpredictable behaviors (those who came out of…
Proverbs Day 28 – Understanding Justice
Evil men (Evildoers NIV) do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. (Proverbs 28:5 ESV) This verse intrigues me. In regard to understanding justice, the comparison is between evildoers and those who seek the Lord. Two questions come to mind: What is Justice? How does seeking the Lord give one…
Proverbs Day 27 – As iron sharpens iron
Faithful are the wounds of a friend…(Proverbs 27:6 ESV) …the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9 ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV) I am blessed to have many friends in Christ. But I consider myself to be especially fortunate to have several friends who love…
Proverbs Day 26 – Without a whisperer
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. (Proverbs 26:20 ESV In other translations, the word whisperer is translated as gossip. Proverbs is full of comparisons which give us vivid illustrations of the points the author is making. Here in verse 26:20, the picture of a fire fed with…
Proverbs Day 25 – Give him bread
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, (Proverbs 25:21 ESV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you…
Proverbs Day 24 – Rescue those being led away to death
Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing of this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Proverbs 24:11-12 NIV) I often think…
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