Meditations From Proverbs, Part 8

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." - Proverbs 4:7

The Lord has much to say about wisdom, and therefore we must pay specific attention to His advice on the matter. When we are told to get wisdom and understanding, I sense the Lord is conveying to His saints that they must not only gain wisdom, but know how to effectively apply it. Solomon was a wise man but failed to apply what he knew, and then went after "strange wives" and their idolatrous worship. James tells us that we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Can you think of an area where you possess wisdom but have failed to apply it? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 7

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." - -Proverbs 3:27-28

The Scriptures have much to say about sharing with those in need. We often say "I don't have any money," or "I don't have the time to help or get involved." Such statements may, in reality, be subtle lies that we tell in order to avoid inconvenience or sacrifice. It's an easy out. All of us have something to give. I am guilty on all counts: I can be quick to dismiss someone in need, even though I have the time and finances to help. But after all, I have my own problems - why should I take on theirs? Because when we share with others, God returns the blessing and shares out of His grace with us. Who in your life needs help? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." -
Proverbs 3:5

Why would God implore us to not lean upon our own understanding? Is not driving a car or using the telephone based on human reason? Am I not called to use common sense, logic and clear thinking as I go through the maze of life? Most assuredly we are. This however, is not what the Scriptures are speaking of. Paul is most pointed in his comments when he says, "…hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (I Corinthians 1:20). Worldly wisdom can be summed up as follows. It is a wisdom that is man centered, based on a temporal value system that glorifies man and his supposed genius. It is based on the false assumption that man is basically good and given enough time, money, and education he will eradicate his evil heart and usher in a perfect world. This type of reasoning is foolishness with God. Have you fallen for the lie? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 5

"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." - Proverbs 3:1-2

I have not forgotten you, nor have I taken a vacation from God. I have simply taken some time over these holidays to be with my family and prepare for next year.

We now enter into chapter three with the never-ending proverbial message to gain wisdom. Here we have two general promises of God regarding length of life and prosperity. Two things must be noted at this point. Proverbs are not doctrinal statements, but general truths. We all know of godly people who didn't live long, but generally speaking those who are wise live longer than those who are foolish. Secondly, the term prosperity does not always mean physical health and wealth. It carries with it the idea of living victoriously and escaping the moral pollution of this world. Wisdom guides me safely through the channels of life, giving clear warnings of rapids, rocks, and shallow waters. Read daily and she will be a faithful guide. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 4

"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." - Proverbs 2:5

The verses preceding this explain the meaning of "then" in verse 5. After receiving words of instruction, inclining our ear unto wisdom, applying our heart to understanding, crying out for knowledge, and seeking wisdom as we would search for a hidden treasure, "THEN" we will know God. Yes there are prerequisites to having a deeper understanding of Him. We must passionately pursue him through His Word. When the world seeks for treasures, which are often found in dangerous places, such as the bottom of the ocean, or the top of mountains, or in caves, they do so with reckless abandon. They will lay down their very lives to gain wealth that perishes. This is how we are to seek wisdom which does not perish. Where has your spade been digging? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 3

"For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." - Proverbs 1:32

We have a nature that pushes wisdom away. God guides us through the maze of life with His Word, so that we may avoid the consequences of our fallenness. The reason God says what He does is that He knows our plight and sinful bent. Proverbs helps us make wise choices that would otherwise not be made. We tend to be lead by our flesh and not the spirit. This is our scar from the fall. As we go through this book together, I would encourage you to consider those proverbs which are calling you to change. As we change together, we will see God do great things. That the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 2

"Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." - Proverbs 1:31

The law of the harvest is found in both Old and New Testaments. It is an inviolable law that will have its day. No matter how clever our ways, man cannot escape the inexorable consequences that come to those who refuse to be wise except in their own eyes. Meditate carefully in Proverbs and note the consistent warnings that come from not obeying the voice of wisdom. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From Proverbs, Part 1

"Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares." - Proverbs 1:20

We now enter into a study of wisdom, which has been defined as "seeing life from God's perspective" or as "a skill for living." We are told early in the first chapter of Proverbs the importance of learning about wisdom and the consequences of rejecting it. Wisdom is often personified: "Then shall they call upon me..." (Proverbs. 1:28). Perhaps this is because all wisdom and knowledge dwell in Christ (Col. 2:3). As we meditate together, we must also apply what the Lord shows us or our time in His Word will be for naught. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 20

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." - Psalm 119:165

We are a people who are too easily offended. We stumble at the slightest hurtful statement. We fall apart when someone forgets to honor us, or remember us on a special day. We believe we have the right to be praised and exalted. These, of course, are natural fallen tendencies that every sinful heart is prone to accept as normal behavior. However, when the law of God reigns supreme, the petty issues of life fade into oblivion. So who has hurt you lately? How are you responding? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 19

"Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love." - Psalm 119:161, 163

As we read through Psalm 119, we find many statements about persecution, violent words, and being hurt by the wicked, all of which are followed up with positive words about God's holy law. This is where we go to get strength to face a world that will spar with us daily. Its philosophies, morals, and integrity are in direct opposition to God's Word. What have you found recently in the Scriptures that would encourage you in your walk? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 18

"Thou art near O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth." - Psalm 119:151

In the Old Testament God drew near to people. In the New Testament He indwells the believer. We are the temple of His Holy Spirit. To be indwelt with the Spirit is not the same as being filled with the Spirit. All believers have the Spirit of God residing inside, but not all are filled. To be filled means to be under the Spirit's control or leading. It is a constant, habitual awareness of His presence and a desire to be led by Him. The Spirit will never lead contrary to God's Word. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 17

"Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights." - Psalm 119:143

What are behind such words and why the contrast between trouble and delight In God's commands? How can we delight during times of trouble? Such paradoxes are planted throughout the landscape of Scripture. This in fact is the strangeness of our pilgrimage. How can one die to live, give to get, be cut down but not be destroyed, be humbled to be exalted, or watch the outer man perish while the inward man is being renewed? These are truly enigmas which cannot be explained but can be experienced. I trust you are experiencing them. These are Holy Pleasures. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 16

"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." - Psalm 119:136

There is a balancing statement in Psalm 37:1, which warns us to not be upset because of "evil doers." The Word always brings balance. Yes I should grieve over the condition of evil men and the wicked condition of the world. This is my soul as it relates to living in this fallen world. However, my spirit will see God as fully in charge. We will always have this conflict as believers. "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24). That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 15

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." - Psalm 119:130

As you may well know, revelation of truth in God's Word is revealed in stages. This is sometimes referred to as "The Unfolding Drama of Redemption." However, redemption is not the only unfolding truth. Many are the revelations of Scripture that are found as the Holy Spirit mines the Word for those who meditate day and night. The blessings are countless as we discover precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10). What truth is presently being unfolded for you? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 14

"The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts." - Psalm 119:110

The Scriptures set two types of fear before us and give us counsel on each one. Proverbs 29:25 tells us that the fear of man brings a snare. We have all experienced the fear of man, and we have learned what bondage it puts us in. On the opposite side of the biblical ledger, we are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must learn to fear God above all. He controls all events, is sovereign in all matters, and therefore deserves to be revered above mortal man. I need much work in this are of my life. Whom do you fear most? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 13

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” - Psalm 119:128
The psalmist says he hates every false way. This is quite a statement in that it suggests he knows what every false way is. To know the false way means we must know the true way. For there can be no false without true, nor can there be bitter without sweet, or soft without hard. Standards invite contrast. God’s Word is the ultimate standard by which everything else is to be measured. To know His Word is to know the right way. When a society disregards the ways of God, then evil ways enter in. There are five steps in which this takes place. An evil is introduced to society and is first met with resistance, then is tolerated, then accepted, then embraced, and then promoted. Ever hear of gay marriage? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 12

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. " - Psalm 119:114

To reflect on these words is to consider what the psalmist must have been thinking. What was he hiding from? What was he being shielded from? Since all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), then I must come to see that I also need a place in which to hide from the cold and caustic ways of this world. My refuge is found in God’s Word. The shield of faith is strengthened in His law (Romans 10:17). Yes, we are to hide but only for a brief time to get refreshed. We then come forth in the power of God to face a hostile world. Many hide behind entertainment, staying busy, making money, and other worldly places of refuge. Hide out in the Word as a daily practice. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 11

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" -
Psalm 119:103

I love how the psalmist uses vivid analogies to drive home a point. Here he tells us that the Word (spiritually speaking) is sweeter than honey. In other words, God's Word satisfies his soul more than honey satisfies his taste buds. Yet how many of us rise in the morning and find that our stomachs are hungrier for food than our soul is for the Word? This is no small issue. There is a very strong contrast being made that tells us what our spiritual experience should be – food for thought. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 10

"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalm 119:89

Sometimes when I'm invited into a high school or college classroom to speak on evolution and creation, I will point out how the biology textbook of last year has to be corrected and updated for this year. I then point out that God's Word is without error and therefore needs no pen and ink changes, no updates to keep up with some new discovery. The reason it needs no change is that truth never needs to be fixed. That's why it is called truth. When the psalmist tells us that God's Word is settled, he means there will never be any corrections. We must stand firm on this truth. Don't fall for Satan's lie, "Yea hath God said?" That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 9

"The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law." - Psalm 119:85

We cannot escape doing battle with proud and difficult people in this world. You may have it at work, the church, or with members of your own family. People will attack us on many fronts, but the psalmist, in the surrounding verses, remains steadfast in God's Word. This is where we will find our strength and perspective. We will learn when to confront and when to remain silent. True testimony is revealed when we respond biblically to the proud and haughty of this world. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 8

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." - Psalm 119:71

In Psalm 119:67 the psalmist admits to wandering from the Lord. He then tells us that affliction brought him back to the ways of God. We learn little during times of ease and prosperity. However, when difficulties come our way, we find an increasing dependence upon the Word of God. We search the Scriptures to find wisdom needed to get through the tough times. Thus it is good to be afflicted, but only if it yields a deeper walk with God. What are you learning about God in your affliction? That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 7

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." - Psalm 119:59

How often do we think about our ways? The term "way" is very significant in Scripture as it applies to journey and destination. "…but the way of transgressors is hard" (Proverbs 18:15). "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:23). We must consider our ways and see if they live up to the ways of God. Do you sense that you may be in the way of sinners, as Psalm 1 instructs us against? What corrections need to be made to be in the right way? Conscience, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit work well together in letting us know if we are off track. That's the way I see things.

Meditations From The Psalms, Part 6

"Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness, holding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way." - Psalm 119:36-37

Please note carefully that the psalmist prays that God would do two things for him that he could not do for himself -- incline his heart and turn away his eyes. The strong teaching that we must heed is that we do not have the power to resist covetousness and vanity. Our flesh is overpowering, thus we must daily call upon the Lord for strength. What might your battle be today? That's the way I see things.