Remember

The Word of God says this in Proverbs 3:1-10, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my mitzvot. For length of days and years of life, and shalom they will add to you. Let kindness and truth never leave you—bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will gain favor and a good name in the eyes of God and man. Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Adonai and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor Adonai with your wealth and with the first of your entire harvest. Then your barns will be filled with plenty, your vats will overflow with new wine.”

One of the big problems in life is that many of us don’t take these words deep in our hearts where they will truly change our lives.  Of course many do not want to acknowledge that God even exists.  

Please read Proverbs 1:1-9, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: to acquire wisdom and discipline, to understand the words of insight, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and fairness, to give discernment to the naïve, knowledge and discretion to the youth (let the wise listen and increase learning and the discerning obtain wise counsel) to understand a proverb and a puzzle, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. The fear of Adonai is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching. For they are a garland of grace for your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

Even as believers, many of us have a problem with these words.  We may be able to quote some of these verses but when it comes to putting these words into practice we have a hard time.  I wonder how many really study the Proverbs or even read them at all, or if you do, how many meditate on them.  I know I am guilty; oh, I have read them, but I have not made them a priority like some of the other books I have read.  Solomon was the wisest king that ever lived, I think he knew what He was talking about.

I wonder how many believers ignore the Old Testament all together, thinking that it was just written for the Jews; that is a big problem and should not be thought of that way.

Please read Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in.”

Now please read Proverbs 2:1-15, “My son, if you accept my words and treasure my mitzvot within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom, inclining your heart to discernment, yes, if you call out for insight, lifting up your voice for discernment, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will know the fear of Adonai and discover the knowledge of God. For Adonai gives wisdom. Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity. He guards the paths of justice, and protects the way of His kedoshim. Then you will discern what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will watch over you—discernment will guard you—to deliver you from the way of evil, from those speaking perverse things, who leave the straight paths to walk in ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing wrong and delight in the perversity of evil, whose paths are crooked and are devious in their ways.”

There is so much wisdom in these verses and there is none of us that couldn’t use more wisdom.  I think this is something else that many believers struggle with and that is the Lord’s discipline.  They think that because we live in the day of grace that God loves us so much that when we accept the Lord as our Savior, and we sin, that we have already been forgiven of our past sins, present sins and future sins, all have been covered like they never happened; this is not the truth. Yes, 1 John 1:9 says this, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  I believe if we are sorry for our sins and ask the Lord to forgive us He does but there are always consequences for sin.

Please read Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, never despise Adonai’s discipline or dread His correction. For Adonai loves those He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.”

Then go to Hebrews 12:4- 8, “In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed. Have you forgotten the warning addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of Adonai or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because Adonai disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He accepts.” It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons—for what son does a father not discipline? But if you are without discipline—something all have come to share—then you are illegitimate and not sons.”      

I realize that this book was written to the Jewish people also but read the book of Revelations chapters 2 and 3 to see what Jesus said to the churches.  And like the Word says, lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and so on.  Seek wisdom and cling to it, please read the book of Proverbs and the rest of the Word of God and it will become a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path; then you will want to hide it in your heart that you might not sin against the Lord!!  We all need to read and study the Word of God and ask the Lord to help us to remember what we read or hear that is truth and teach us through His precious Holy Spirit and bring the things back to us when we need them through His precious Holy Spirit also!!  I have given you something to think about and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!  May you have a super day!!