2018 Dec 19 Proverbs 19, Psalms, Colossians 3
2018 Dec 19 Proverbs 19, Psalms, Colossians 3
Wishing you a lovely day! Let's consider Proverbs 19, verses 12-17:
"12 The king’s rage is like the growling of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the vegetation. 13 A stupid son brings adversity on his father, And a quarrelsome wife is like a roof that never stops leaking. 14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, But a discreet wife is from Jehovah. 15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep, And a sluggish person will go hungry. 16 The one who keeps the commandment keeps his life; The one who is reckless about his ways will die. 17 The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah, And He will repay him for what he does."
Prov 19:12 The king's power should not be underestimated or disrespected by others, whether it is power to harm or to bring blessings to others. The king in the favor of God himself judges righteously--no upright person should dread receiving his disfavor.
Prov 19:13 How much better to raise a wise son, one respecting God's law, able to comprehend it using discernment and understanding. A "nagging" or "quarrelsome" wife is disrespecting her husband, although his expressed love might be lacking as well. Look carefully at the situation, seeking how to correct it, so a difficult circumstance does not continue. It is a woman's "quiet and mild spirit" which is of great value in the eyes of God. (1Pet 3:4). Deep respect from his cherished woman is so important to the satisfaction of a godly man. (Ephe 5:33).
Prov 19:14 Jehovah is aware of a godly woman who practices discretion. Godly men may look to Jehovah in prayer to find a suitable wife, that can work together in doing God's will and finding true delight in their companionship.
Prov 19:15 What are you needing to accomplish? Do you have a to-do list? Have you converted it to a schedule, making time to do the things on your list, prioritizing them and choosing a time to accomplish each item? Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit to Jehovah whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Look to God and his word, and perhaps your parents, to determine suitable goals, short-term and long-term, then set about planning to accomplish them. "Divide and Conquer," meaning break down your goals into achievable steps. Reward yourself for completing steps toward your most important goals. Thus avoid laziness and sluggishness in life, learning to "find enjoyment for all [your] hard work. It is the gift of God." (Eccl 3:13).
Prov 19:16 Clearly, one should avoid carelessness or recklessness, acting without restraint or self-control. Self-control and Christian mildness, or a gentle manner, with faith in God, should all mark the life of a true Christian, as part of the fruitage of God's holy spirit (Gala 5:22,23). True wisdom should grow in such a person, with foresighted shrewdness to see the ill consequences of a wrong course and wisely steer away. (Prov 22:3). Perhaps life may be spared, where otherwise it may have been lost.
Prov 19:17 It is a Christian recommendation to have at least a little something on hand to help those in need (James 2:16). Such consideration, without fanfare, will be rewarded by Jehovah.
The next 8 verses of Psalm 119 each begin with the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
"145 I call with my whole heart. Answer me, O Jehovah. Your regulations I will observe. 146 I call on you; save me! I will keep your reminders. 147 I have been awake before dawn to cry for help, For your words are my hope. 148 My eyes open before the night watches, So that I can ponder over your saying. 149 Do listen to my voice because of your loyal love. O Jehovah, preserve me alive according to your justice. 150 Those who engage in shameful conduct come near; They are far away from your law. 151 You are near, O Jehovah, And all your commandments are truth. 152 Long ago I learned about your reminders, That you have established them to last forever."
Notice the psalmist calls to Jehovah with his "whole heart," determined to observe God's regulations. This may remind us of Christ's declaration regarding the greatest two commandments of the Mosaic Law, being to "love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul[or, self, life] and with your whole mind." Jesus said "This is the greatest and first commandment." The second is to "love your neighbor as yourself." Verse 150 shows that keeping God's law protects one from falling to shameful conduct, out of harmony with practice of true Christian love for others.
Colossians 3:8-10 shows some of the changes we must undergo as true Christians, putting on the "new personality": "8 But now you must put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, 10 and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it."
Just as a caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly, so those learning the truth about God and his purposes, and heeding the teachings of Christ, can make astounding changes in their lives in the power of God.
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
