June 7

Proverbs 16-18
One of the most difficult aspects of relationship is understanding, both in being understood and in understanding the other.  Solomon says, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”  Proverbs 18:2  If we are only waiting to share what we have to say in a conversation, we are not listening.  I remember an exercise my psychology professor had the class engage in.  We were paired, and then one half of the pair had to listen to what their partner was saying for a full sixty seconds.  Then they were to try and repeat what was said.  This involved concentration and truly hearing what the other person was saying.  When the only goal was to repeat what they said, understanding became a solid by-product.  Of course, Solomon knew this thousands of years ago.  Try it the next time you are having a conversation with someone.  You might discover that your opinion isn’t so important after all, and you will strengthen your relationship with the other person.

June 6

Proverbs 13-15
There is an old pop song with the lyric: “If lovin’ you is wrong, I don’t want to be right.”  Unfortunately, this is the guiding wisdom for many.  Solomon states it another way: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”  Proverbs 14:12 This is what happens when we are guided by our own feelings, instead of relying on God’s word.  I have had many conversations with people who are caught up in a sinful manner of living where their only defense is that it just seems right.  Some are so defiant as to completely reject the word of God in favor of their own feelings.  They become a god unto themselves.  The greatest difficulty with this approach is the inability to save oneself from eternal damnation.  We are much better off if we avoid making judgments based upon our own feelings, instead testing what is right or wrong with the Bible being the final authority.  In the final outcome we will not only have gained eternal life, but will be able to look back and actually see how the true right way brought better results throughout this life.

June 5

Proverbs 10-12 Words mean something. I know that sounds obvious, but we often spout off without considering the impact of our words. Solomon says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 When we speak in anger, we sometimes fail to take the needed time to weigh our words. The results can be devastating. Relationships can be irreparably harmed in seconds. There is an old hymn that encourages us to never let angry words be unbridled. Rather, we are encouraged to love one another. If we allow love to be the guiding force for our words, we will have no regrets. Our relationships will be nourished and well fed. Let's guard our tongue, becoming wise, bringing healing to those tense situations.

June 4

Proverbs 7-9
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:9-10 As a teacher, I found that there are those who do not like instruction.  These are insulted when another seeks to give them help, so they reject any teaching.  Instead, they choose to learn through painful experience, or not learn at all.  And then, there is the other end of the spectrum, those who will receive instruction from any source available.  These are often referred to as lifelong learners.  They are ever learning, always open to change, and continually growing.  The former live with frustration and fail to enjoy life to the full, while the latter develop an inward peace as they joyfully experience all that life has to offer.  It is our choice, whether to be wise or foolish.  If we choose wisdom, we must begin with recognizing the fearful power of God, seeking to know the One who, through just speaking the word, brought all of creation into existence.  As we come to know the Lord in ever increasing knowledge our wisdom will grow and, with it, our joy and peace.

June 3

Proverbs 4-6
Solomon continues to give solid advice to his son for life.  In chapter four, verse three, he says,”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  In a world that celebrates intellect, we would do well to heed these words.  Regardless of what our logic tells us, our heart rules.  It was the heart Satan went after with Adam and Eve.  He tried the same thing with Jesus in the wilderness.  The devil is no dummy.  He knows that if he can find an unguarded heart, he can tempt that soul to turn form God.  Once he does that, he’s won the battle.  So, guarding our heart not only makes good sense, it is a matter of life and death!

June 2

Proverbs 1-3 Brad Harrub instructed a group of men at a men's retreat in Montana recently on rising up to be the men God intended. On the subject of parenting, he said that our instruction manual is the book of Proverbs. Indeed, Solomon is instructing his son with wisdom coming straight from God! From today's reading, he says, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3 He wrote many other pearls of wisdom in these three chapters, but this particular one touched me, because Jesus said that all of the law and the prophets rest on love. The Apostle John tells us that God is love. And the Apostle Paul proclaims that the greatest of all spiritual gifts is love. When we come to understand love as a gift from God, and that this gift is God Himself, we gain an appreciation for love, recognizing its power and purity. There are those who would distort this gift, tarnishing its image, and making it something it isn't. We should have nothing to do with that perversion. Instead, we must remain faithful to the pure, perfect, presentation of the love of God in Christ.

June 1

Song of Solomon 1-8
This is a wonderful celebration of marital love.  Yet, it does have a glaring inconsistency.  Even though Solomon is declaring his love for one woman, he still maintains multiple wives and concubines.  His polygamous lifestyle, seemingly winked at by God, doesn’t really mix well with our idea of love.  I understand that he lived in a different culture, and that we live in a fallen world.  However, with the wisdom he received from God, one would think that he would practice monogamy.  It’s quite clear from Genesis, forward, that monogamy is God’s will for mankind.  But, He seems to allow some of His most famous and respected leaders throughout the Old Testament to have more than one wife.  It is this inconsistency that causes some to reject the Bible as the inspired word of God.  It’s important to understand that God has had a developing plan from the beginning for the redemption of mankind and the adornment of His bride, the church.  He has unfolded this plan over thousands of years, removing one blemish after another.  In the final presentation, where there will be neither male nor female, all of the inconsistencies will be gone, along with the glaring blemishes witnessed throughout the ages.