Rev. E. Anderson
June 19th MAKING LIFE SECURE – Proverbs 3: 21-26
One of the purposes of wisdom is to put the safeguards into our lives so that we may be secured from setbacks that overtake many people. Wisdom seeks to present good rules of belief and conduct that if carefully and persistently adhered to ensure the well being of life. They are there to be a genuine preventative to tragedy. To motor on our highways we need to be conversant with the Highway Code so that we know how to drive with due care and attention. It is impossible to estimate how many have died before their time because they became heedless to the sound advice presented to them.
There are promises given here that are worth noting in making life secure. There comes the gracious adorning of life, the filling of life with pure and true energy, the bringing of honour and respect, deliverance from chaos and calamity, the keeping of one on track, the gift of sweet repose and the saving from panic and the living under the protection of God. These certainly are worthy considerations that should encourage all to pursue wisdom whatever the cost.
In life it is easy to be side-tracked by all kind of destructive factors. We have a responsibility to God, others and ourselves to make sure that we do not become foolish and act contrary to what is good. Seek to live secure and fully protected by wisdom - the wisdom that comes from God and His Word. In safeguarding yourself, it benefits others that observe your code of conduct.
June 20th BEING NEIGHBOURLY – Proverbs 3: 27-30; Luke 10: 25-37
One of the enormous blessings of life is to have good neighbours, that is, people who you really can get on with, not only with those who live next door, but also with those one continually rubs shoulders with. It is certainly a distinct advantage to have people, who are close by, that are genuine friends and that you can truly be a benefit on a daily basis. If there is one thing that wisdom teaches us is to develop real friendship with people that we are regularly in close contact with. In order to have good neighbours at every level an individual must seek to be a good neighbour. This is something that must always be worked hard at.
To become a good neighbour one must learn not to presume upon those near at hand in any way. Because they are close one must not seek to be over-forward with them and take for granted their kindness. There are two things mentioned that must be applied with grace and consistency. The motive and action should always be, what good can you do for your neighbour, being ready, like the Good Samaritan to give yourself, time and goods to their well being – vv27, 28. There must never be any wilful intent to do harm – vv29, 30. Behaving in line with wisdom will cause your neighbours to value the testimony of your godly life style.
You can begin to make a greater impression on those that are in your circle of contacts. Go out of your way to be friendly. See how you can best affect those that you mix with so that they will be influenced by knowledge of God and His ways. Do not be proud and stand-offish but be warm and committed to the well-being of all around. They will, in the end, admire and be affected by your wholesome lifestyle.
June 21st GOD’S ESTIMATION – Proverbs 3: 31, 32; Psalm 37
Wisdom does lead us to the knowledge of God’s evaluation of people and helps us to choose those we are going to associate with and what we are going to be in terms of character. The sound advice is not to ‘envy the oppressor or opt to copy his example.’ An oppressor is an evil, violent and brutal person that seeks to extract from and damage other people. This generation is not lacking in this type of person! They seem to get what they want at the expense of others and for a while appear to come off best. The clear mind of God comes out in a clear statement: “For the froward – perverse is an abomination to the Lord” – v32. He hates this kind of evil and those who proceed down this line will suffer the consequences.
In contrast there is an assuring affirmation of whom God esteems highly – “His secret is with the righteous.” This means He has all the time in the world for those who reject and object to the way of evil especially in tyranny and oppression. The Living Bible says that, “He gives His friendship to the godly.” The best thing that could happen to a person in life, above all, is to discover a dynamic and personal friendship with God. He is prepared to share His confidences and counsel with those who embrace His spirit and standard of living.
The choice is left with us as to how we are going to live. We can become hard, harsh and brutal by reason of evil and seek to make life difficult for others or we can be humble and holy to sweeten and enrich others today. The great factor is that as we apply the wise way, God is pleased to become one with us and share His presence and direction in our lives
June 22nd A HOLY HOME – Proverbs 3: 33; 2 Samuel 6: 1-12
It is important to have a good, happy home. Children should be brought up in a well ordered and blessed family so that they can look back upon their childhood as one of pleasure. Parents are responsible in making sure that above everything else that the home becomes a dwelling place where all that is good occurs. It is obvious from this wise saying that the Lord is aware of the real condition of each family unit and He wills to see the birth of a holy, happy home. It states: “The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked; But He blesseth the habitation of the just.”
The assured word is that the Lord will favour the home that distinctly honours Him by eliminating evil and instituting all that is right and good. The household of Obededom came under the direct and distinct hand of the Lord’s blessing and He was pleased to dwell in that home in a signal fashion. The head of the home and all that dwelt under its roof came under the benediction of God. Everyone became aware of the wonderful things God was doing in the household and so the news of this unique factor must have spread far and wide.
Give attention to your home and family because it rates high in the Lord’s consideration. Your dwelling place is to be the venue where He makes His presence and goodness known in a powerful manner as you respect Him, His Word and ways. He wants to crown your home and each resident with His constant blessing. A Christian family, with its godly presence and influence, serves to the good of those within the neighbourhood. It is a great way to propagate the Christian message.
June 23rd GRACE TO THE LOWLY – Proverbs 3: 34; 1 Peter 5
Pride is a subject that is mentioned quite repeatedly in the book of Proverbs. One of the things that this evil does is birth other evils and namely amongst them is ‘scorning.’ The scorner is the type of person who laughs at and abuses righteousness and the righteous. They poke fun and ridicule the ways that are honourable and make joke of those who reject their wicked antics. The godly are often put through their paces by such individuals and it is difficult to put up with their unseemly conduct. One has to state that the Lord is fully aware of their offensive attitudes.
As far as the Lord is concerned – “ Surely He scorneth the scorners.” The Lord holds them in derision! On the other hand, He not only shows profound respect for those who are humble, “He gives grace to the lowly.” They do not react to the scorner with the same spirit but manifest a loving and gentle attitude that is the result of the strengthening that comes by His grace. Instead of being proud and arrogant, they are the opposite. They put on humility as Peter records ‘as an apron.’ They are willing and to take up a very lowly stance in life and refuse to be embroiled in an evil attitude. They are here to serve in a humble fashion and leave their lives and in the Lord’s hands.
You may be, at this time, subject to a great deal of abuse from others, at home or even at work and school. At present, you are going through a tirade of oppression and defamation because of your faith and loyalty to the Lord. It would be easy for you to take the quick way out and renounce the Lord and all that is pure and true. Be reminded of the fact that Christ did say and teach that this kind of thing would happen – Matthew 6: 10-12. Stand firm amidst the evil provocation and receive a large dose of His grace to answer the situation!
June 24th A FATHER’S INPUT – Proverbs 4: 1-4; 2 Timothy 1
One of the great blessings of life is to have a good, loving and wise father. Such cannot be overestimated. It is of incredible value to have this quality person inputting life with the wisdom of years and experience. They enable us to be placed in a healthy and strong position of being able to make the right choices and so benefit on every hand. Even if one has not been blessed with a noble earthly father, there are those men in the Christian Church that are wonderful spiritual fathers that are able to come alongside and fulfil a gracious fatherly role that enriches life, faith and understanding. The apostle Paul regarded Timothy as his own son and aided him in achieving his spiritual destiny.
The statement is made: “I give you good doctrine” – v2. The Living Bible affirms – “For I speak the truth-don’t turn away.” According to Aaron Linford the term ‘doctrine’ means ‘that which is received’. It does not represent original teaching but that which is transmitted from the past. Evidently father had listened to his father and carried out his true teaching and found it to be wholly beneficial. So he was passing on that which he had been taught and learned. It was no new philosophy and ideology but that which had a great proven track record – see vv3, 4.
It is not to be simply a case of listening but retaining and putting into practice the sound instruction. The outcome of this procedure results in ‘life.’ It is finding out that what has been told concludes in a profitable and pleasurable existence. Learn from your earthly or spiritual fathers today for they seek your good. Having learned so much through the years a rich legacy has to be passed on.
June 25th SET YOUR PRIORITY – Proverbs 4: 5-9; 1 Kings 3
There is an apparent emphasis and urgency placed upon what should be the main pursuit of life in this book – it is the possession of wisdom: ‘get wisdom.’ What is meant here is more than a natural astute mind that possesses a great amount of intellectual ability that can be translated into many practical works of a worthy nature. It is that facility of mind and understanding that is able to grasp and apply those spiritual, moral and ethical principles that produce a godly and noble character that in turn produces honourable and praiseworthy conduct.
Wisdom has its objective for us on so many fronts. Her grand purpose is to ‘preserve, keep, promote, honour and crown life’ in every way – vv6, 8, 9. Her true and pure interest is that all who sit, listen and learn from her will discover that all she has to say and teach leads to the total construction and honour of life. She makes sure that life and work is not wasted but that it expresses its full potential and reaches the maximum in experience and excellence.
“When a man displays wisdom in his diction and direction, his friends and acquaintances, even his opponents tend to respect his judgements, rely on his promises and applaud his successes.” A. Linford
Do not lose out in life by failing in this pursuit. Be encouraged in the knowledge that you can settle for this priority and as you do so, you too will enjoy the enormous blessing of being wise and fulfilled. Take time out today to sit at her feet and learn of her and her ways. There is so much to discover, learn and know and to pass on that will enrich society.
