I apologize for the delay in getting these out. I had some technical difficulties trying to get these posted while we were away.
7-8-13
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life and obtains
favor from the Lord." Proverbs 8:34-35
Why listen, why watch, why wait? As many have said over the years,
the Christian life isn't difficult, it's impossible! Only One has
ever lived it; Jesus! So again, why listen, why watch, why wait?
Solomon answers it very simply and to the point. We listen, we watch,
we wait for LIFE! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the
life..." We listen for His way! We watch for His truth! We wait for
His life! This only happens in the context of a growing relationship
with Jesus. Like any other relationship the more we invest in it the
healthier it gets.
He has given us His Word that we might know Him! The more we listen,
watch, and wait for Him the clearer we hear, see, and know Him!
Solomon understood and adds the clarification 'daily' knowing how
badly we need Him every day!
"Father please give us ears to hear Jesus, eyes to see Him, and he
patience to wait for His timing in our lives. Please forgive us
Father for being so distracted that we don't hear, don't see, and
don't wait for Jesus our King! Thank you for your patience. Truly
your grace is amazing."
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7-9-13
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge
of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
In another of many proverbs about wisdom Solomon again promotes the
value of accepting wisdom's invitation and the foolishness of
rejecting it. In this chapter, just like chapter 8, wisdom is
personified as one sending out an invitation to a magnificent banquet.
Again, as in chapter 8, the reward is life and understanding (9:6).
But how?!?!
Similar the last chapter in which Solomon encourages us to listen,
watch, and wait for true wisdom (Jesus), here he challenges us to "the
fear of the Lord." How does that work? The fear or
reverence/respect/honor of the Lord is simply caring more about what
the Lord thinks than what we think ourselves or what anyone else
thinks.
When we care more about what God thinks then we will necessarily live
consistent with His desires! This is "the beginning of wisdom" and
besides that we increase in the knowledge of God which brings a
greater understanding of Who He is! Greater understanding leads to a
greater more personal relationship with Him.
Laurie and I have been blessed of the Lord to have spent the last 8
days with our kids (Scotty & Dana) at their home in Kona, Hawaii.
It's been over five years since we saw them here last. Time together,
all kinds of conversations, & living life together has seriously
enhanced our knowledge, understanding, and love for them. Our
relationship with God is no different.
The fear of the Lord is in no way negative, it's a desire to please
Him that leads to deeper relationship with Him. 1 John 4:18 says,
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in
love."
"Father, please help us rest in your great love. O God please cause
your love to be so profound that we will "delight in the fear of You"
just as Jesus did."
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