2018 Dec 23 Proverbs 23, Psalms, 1Peter 3
2018 Dec 23, Proverbs 23, Psalms, 1Peter 3
Hello, and a hearty warm welcome! If you haven't noticed, please take note of the spot on the home page for the most recent addition(s) or changes to the site. Also as explained in yesterday's blog, we're now using 5-character abbreviations for Bible books. Let's consider more from Proverbs today, this time chapter 23, verses 17-23:
"17 Let your heart not envy sinners, But be in the fear of Jehovah all day long, 18 For then you will have a future And your hope will not be cut off. 19 Listen, my son, and become wise, And direct your heart in the right way. 20 Do not be among those who drink too much wine, Among those who gorge themselves on meat, 21 For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags. 22 Listen to your father who caused your birth, And do not despise your mother just because she has grown old. 23 Buy truth and never sell it, Also wisdom and discipline and understanding."
Prove 23:17,18 Those violating God's standards for selfish purposes are on a slippery slope leading to disaster. Jehovah can know what each of us truly need and desire, and provide for us. If we're missing something, or needing something, let's look to Jehovah in prayer! Even a loyal marriage partner God can provide for us, if we look to Him! Let's never envy those leaving God's ways to find something. It is not true happiness that they will find! May we love and fear, deeply regard, our loving Father and God Jehovah.
Prove 23:19 Jesus once reminded us: "Pay attention to how you listen." We need to listen for the right things, not only "funny things", although we all enjoy laughing. But let us listen for true wisdom as well, the divine knowledge that can lead us and others to true happiness, real satisfaction and contentment in our lives.
Prove 23:20,21 Self-control is part of the fruitage of God's holy spirit that helps stabilize our life, enabling us to say "no" to things that are extreme, robbing us of life's balance. A servant of Jehovah, while loving and enjoying life, avoids the extremes that displease God and cause others to question our soundness of mind and reasonableness. The body can only handle so much wine and meat properly, and we should recognize the way God designed us and seek to live in harmony with it.
Prove 23:22,23 May we treasure and respect our parents, especially godly ones, seeking to instruct us in the right ways of Jehovah. May we love the truth of God so much that we refuse to give it up at any cost, treasuring true wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Let us recall the meaning of these terms, and continue to progress in letting such qualities affect our ability to receive divine knowledge successfully.
Psalm 23 is a famous Psalm, showing what it is to rely on God completely. Let's read it with God's name there as it should be:
"1 Jehovah is my Shepherd. I will lack nothing. 2 In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; He leads me to well-watered resting-places. 3 He refreshes me. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name. 4 Though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear no harm, For you are with me; Your rod and your staff reassure me. 5 You prepare a table for me before my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; My cup is well-filled. 6 Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for all my days."
May we look to God for guidance in life, letting integrity and loyalty to Him direct our steps in life. He gives us refreshing work to do, as we seek to bring glory to Him, telling others about the hope He has given us, rather than selfishly keeping it to ourselves. May we look for ways to encourage others, doing good for them, as we love God wholeheartedly, and our neighbor as ourselves (Matth 22:37-39). Let God's word and spirit strengthen us as we "walk in the valley of deep shadow." Rely on our God, in prayer to Him.
1Peter 3 reminds godly wives to "be in subjection to your husbands, so that if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, 2 because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect." Such qualities are treasured by humble, loving, God-fearing men, and may move some to have more love and fear of God. The true fear of God is a reverential respect for Him, fearing to displease Him in any way, refusing to hurt Him, out of love for Him and regard for His feelings. For a time the Israelites failed in this, as explained in Psalm 78:40,41: "How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness And made him feel hurt in the desert! 41 Again and again they put God to the test, And they grieved the Holy One of Israel." May we appreciate the love of our 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!
