2019 Jan 15 Proverbs 15, Psalms, Galatians 5
2019 Jan 15 Proverbs 15, Psalms, Galatians 5
Wishing you a good day with a hearty welcome! Let's pick up in Proverbs 15, with verses 18-25.
"18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel. 19 The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is like a level highway. 20 A wise son makes his father rejoice, But a stupid man despises his mother. 21 Foolishness is a joy to one lacking good sense, But the man of discernment walks straight ahead. 22 Plans fail when there is no consultation, But there is accomplishment through many advisers. 23 A man rejoices in giving the right answer, And a word spoken at the right time—how good it is! 24 The path of life leads upward to one with insight, To turn him away from the Grave below. 25 Jehovah will tear down the house of the haughty, But he will preserve the boundary of the widow."
Prove 15:18 As James 1:19 says, "everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger." For the world to sustain peace in the future, we all must learn not to be "hot-tempered," but to treasure Christian mildness and slowness to anger, or patience. Christian mildness is a gentleness of spirit that should pervade our life throughout each day, affecting all we say and do. It is a gentle manner, that is sensitive to the ideas and feelings of others, not wanting to hurt them but rather help and heal. Anyone impatient and quick to anger threatens true peace among humans, 'stirring up strife.' We should learn to quickly recognize when we are beginning to be irritated by something--that is the time to act to think through the situation, seeking to fix the problem, find a solution, or see how to cope with it until we can. Try not to get to the point of angry words escalating tension with another dear person. Especially among true Christians, we should be "forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same. But besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union." With true love and patience, we can often 'calm a quarrel,' seeking true peace with others in harmony with God's laws and guidance for us. We should patiently respond to any temper of others with a gentle, calming response, thus defusing an otherwise unhelpful or harmful conversation. (Prove 15:1).
Prove 15:19 A lazy person tends to focus on or imagine the difficulties and thorny problems in situations and does not want to get involved, thus excusing his inactivity. A diligent upright person, on the other hand, has learned how to cope with most problems, trusting God's help in good faith, while focusing on the rewards of accomplishment--to such ones the path is smooth, "like a level highway."
Prove 15:20 How important to seek to correct a child going morally astray, to help him or her become wise, as godly insight shows such a one is actually 'despising his own mother.' This one is resentful of his own mother's correction, no matter how loving it may be offered. May parents ensure their discipline is rendered with genuine love, in imitation of the way Christ corrected his disciples, offering illustrations and stories to teach important lessons. We can get to know Christ's teachings and share these with our children, helping them to understand the way of true Christianity. Still, the child needs to come to understand and appreciate such loving guidance and instruction. Helping him or her gain understanding in matters of life and spirituality will go a long way in helping him appreciate counsel. Help the young one see the big picture of a matter, and the most important pieces of the puzzle and how they relate to each other. Proverbs 17:10 says "A rebuke makes a deeper impression on one having understanding than striking a stupid person a hundred times."
Prove 15:21 Foolishness in the Scriptures is clearly a negative trait, causing one to "go astray," even "die" for lack of discipline. (Prove 5:23). Remaining naïve will result in foolishness, and it also comes out in one who is impatient (Prove 14:18, 29). Thus young ones need to be taught to look ahead with foresighted prudence at the consequences of their speech and actions, and to act accordingly to steer away from badness, and its resulting troubles, problems, and grief. This would include the dire consequences of being impatient, running ahead of Jehovah rather than waiting on Him to provide for our needs and wants, or desires. We could impatiently let go of God's loyal love, leading to treachery and spiritual ruin. Let God satisfy us, as we are "content with the present things," until we reach our goals--for instance, a loyal Christian marriage partner.
Prove 15:22 A wise person "listens and takes in more instruction." (Prove 1:5). Thus may we be humble, as truly wise persons are, considering others superior to us. They have gifts and talents we may not possess, and may have knowledge to share of which we do not know. May we consult especially with ones affected or impacted by our decisions, taking their points of view into consideration, benefitting from their advice.
Prove 15:23 May we delight in words spoken "at the right time," and with joy to seek to give the right answer to one in spiritual need.
Prove 15:24,25 God's ways are elevated above mere human ideas and thinking. God told the wayward nation of Israel, at Isaiah 55:8,9: "“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts." May we benefit from God's elevated thinking as we learn to think as He does, and as Jesus did. Remember, Jesus once strongly corrected Peter for thinking, 'not God's thoughts, but those of men,' which threatened to stumble Jesus from his faithful course. (Matth 16:23). May we always let God's word trump mere human ideas, even if it means we may be 'proved a liar.' (Romans 3:4). This takes honesty and humility before God, to acknowledge a mistake, but will bring God's favor and blessing. Those arrogant, or haughty in spirit, refusing to humble themselves before God, should take a lesson before they suffer the loss of their "house," their good family name and reputation, or even by their pride causing the spiritual downfall of their own family. On the other hand, Jehovah looks out to support faithful widows, especially those serving God while lovingly waiting to be reunited with their dear husbands in the resurrection.
Psalm 87 (Book 3, 15th psalm) refers, not only to the former literal earthly Jerusalem when it had God's favor, but also to New Jerusalem, "Mount Zion...a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem." (Hebre 12:22; Revel 21:2-4). This has reference to the rulership of God's Kingdom over mankind, which must be acknowledged by all who will gain eternal life among the people of God. Especially those chosen as anointed kings in association with Christ Jesus are "born again" as adopted sons of God, receiving his scourging discipline and training to be worthy of the privilege. (John 3:3; Hebre 12:6). Verse 5 says "And about Zion it will be said: "Each and every one was born in her." And the Most High will firmly establish her." As mentioned in verse 7, it will be said of Zion, "All my springs are in you." Just as a spring comes from one parcel of land, and moves on to be a source of life-sustaining water through many other areas, so Jesus and Zion will prove to be a source of living water for humanity, spiritually sustaining.
Galatians 5:7-10 reveals how easy it could be for one to persuade us away from the truth, if we're not careful. This was happening to the Galatians, as the apostle Paul reveals in these verses: "7 You were running well. Who hindered you from continuing to obey the truth? 8 This sort of persuasion does not come from the One calling you. 9 A little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident that you who are in union with the Lord will not come to think otherwise; but the one who is causing you trouble, whoever he may be, will receive the judgment he deserves." We must be careful to uphold the truth of God, again, letting God's word always trump the ideas of man (Romans 3:4). Be alert to the misleading use of lies and half-truths, and other speech designed to confuse others for selfish purposes, be they for wealth or power, for material or other gain.


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