Proverbs 31:25

Strength and honor are her clothing; she laughs at the future.

We know the future brings uncertainty, difficulties, and obstacles, yet this woman is so confident in her wisdom (implying a relationship with YHWH), that she is able to laugh without fear at it.

She is ready because she has rooted herself in what is good and lasting.

As Psalm 1 tells us, spiritual development and freedom come from journeying on the right path (a long obedience in the same direction), and being rooted in God as our source of energy and the good ways He has gifted us indicating how we may rightfully navigate reality in our real lives now, day to day.

*Interesting note, I just read that Psalm 112 is the male counterpart to this poem of Proverbs 31:10-31. Never knew that.

Luke 18:1-8

The parable of the persistent widow.

Will the Son of Man find faith on earth?

Jesus tells His disciples to not lose heart no matter how things look, no matter how long justice seems to take according to our finite minds.

Will you stay faithful to YHWH and anticipate His justice despite great injustice such as this Isis evil?  Will you remain true to the end, believing in the second coming and new heavens and earth?

We don’t talk of this as much these days it seems, but this is what Jesus appears to be indicating here–to be faithful and persistent to the one true good God in the face of what is so horrible and seemingly never ending. Do not grow weary in doing good or in prayer. The importance of prayer is stressed in this passage by Jesus Himself. Persistent prayer is powerful in ways we probably don’t even know, not least of which is the changing of our own hearts.

I believe so much of Scripture is about trusting God no matter what. Trust in the midst of whatever is going on, good or bad, is key to living the Christian life. Trust implies that you are acknowledging God’s presence and care. He is for us, no matter how dark it appears.

Will He find us faithful until He returns?

Proverbs 30:8-9

Proverbs 29:23

The arrogance of people causes them to fall; but a lowly spirit holds glory tight.

Humility is valuable for the wisdom enterprise because it depends on a teachable spirit. Wisdom is not a natural trait that needs to be preserved in a human. Folly is natural; wisdom must be inculcated. To do so, people need to be open to criticism of their words and behavior. They hear and change. On the other hand, because of pride fools will resist criticism, even mocking those who try to help them in this way. The results are clear. The proud are doomed to repeat their mistakes and end up falling, while the humble will gain glory.

-Tremper Longman III

Proverbs 29:25

Anxiety about people is a trap, but those who trust Yahweh are protected.

Those who trust in YHWH have nothing to fear from any person.

Perfect love casts out fear. 

Don’t fear those who can only kill the body, but Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

One who fears God does not fear human beings. Do we really fear God? Or is it a mental concept only?

Sometimes I wonder if, in our Western Christianity, we fear death too much. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Perhaps this is not real to us. Perhaps deep down, we do think that this life is all there is.

In God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Ps.56:11]

Anxiety about people is a trap that even the most religious can fall into, and it is a hard one to get out of.

Luke 16:1-13

The parable of the unfaithful, but clever steward.

The moral of this story seems to be to use our possessions to serve people and further God’s kingdom rather than simply accommodate ourselves and make our lives more and more comfortable.

We are only God’s managers of anything we have.

Proverbs 28:23

Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise. 

Proverbs 27:2

Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it. Let the praise come from a stranger and not your own mouth. [NCV]

Don’t sing your own praises. Let someone else do that for you.

Performing for an audience of One, you won’t feel any need to talk about how awesome you are.

It’s interesting that this proverbs tells us to let a “stranger” praise us. I wonder if its implication is that this is usually true, unbiased praise as opposed to just your mom praising you because she will no matter how awful you are at something, be it basketball, info graphics, or relating to people. Or someone who wants you to be their friend so desperately that they don’t have the cullions to be honest with you when you don’t really deserve praise for something.

Proverbs 27:3

Stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a complaining fool is worse than either.

This is so true…a person living foolishly, with no reverential awe for God, who complains about their life is about the most annoying thing in the world. It can really wear you down and be life-stealing.

Luke 14:34-35

Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! [NLT]

Unsalty salt is as pointless as a disciple who does not live as a disciple.

Are you affecting others for the kingdom of God in some way, or keeping it all to yourself?

You either live as tho Jesus is Lord of your life, or as tho YOU are lord of your life.

Proverbs 26:13

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion in the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

As laziness grows and grows, so do the excuses. We say the most ridiculous things to get out of hard work…

“I heard some zoo animals escaped and there may be one in my area. Better I stay home and be safe all day than take a chance and go to work.”

Which is about as asinine as, “I don’t have time, really, to spend with God.” HAHAHAHAHA! I mean what else is even close to as important as spending time with the Creator and Sustainer of your very life? We have all the time we could want, we just fill it with fatuity.

In my own modern, culturally sensitive translation of Proverbs 26:13, it would read:

The lazy person postulates, “I have 4 more seasons of this series on Netflix to get thru this week! How can I possibly squeeze God and His work in anywhere?”

Remember, whenever we say we don’t have time for something, what we are really saying is, “I value something else more.”

What do you value more than time with God?

For a while for me, it was going to the gym. That is a good thing, but I have found time spent alone with God is much more enriching. [Not that God is not with me at the gym of course, but it’s a matter of focus and available faculties, mind you]

Luke 13:22-30

The Narrow Door.

What an intense and sobering section of Scripture.

Do you know Jesus, or just know of Him?

Is it a superficial fascination, even admiration, or sincere submission to Him and His ways?

These are some of the most jugular questions of life we can possibly ask ourselves.