Jehovah Jireh

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 30

Gold Nugget

Verse 8-9: Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. 

Commentary

One of the many names/titles that you may have often heard God referred to as may be Jehovah Jireh - often translated as The Lord Who Provides. Today's "gold nugget" shines the light on three positions in life: the person who lacks what he needs to survive, the person who lives in abundance and the person who has his needs meet without excess. We will quickly look at these three situations and how they can affect your spiritual condition. 

• The Person who lacks what he needs:
• The scripture from today's proverb describes how people who lack can bring shame to His name. "lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God." Two trains of thought - those who lack what they need can place them in a state of despair,  leading to potentially drastic measures; while the drastic measures, like stealing or something along those lines can bring shame to the name of the person you serve. 
• The Person who lives in excess:
• Jesus said "It's easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God". (Matthew 19:24) I believe today's "gold nugget" sheds light on this truth. People who live in abundance often can't relate to being in need - even being in need of a savior. They are so self sufficient that they can't make the connection with needing anyone aside from themselves. "Lest I be full and deny You". 
• The Person who has their needs meet without excess:
• This person fulfills what the Lord promises us in His Word. He will supply all our need according to His riches and glory. He knows what we have need of before we ask. Jesus said, "Take no thought of what you will eat or what you will wear". He takes care of the birds, He will take care of you. This person is content with whatever God provides him, knowing that God will not leave him starving and naked.

Over 20 years ago I asked my dad what he would want if God told him he could have any single thing he asked for. Figuring he would follow the pattern of Solomon when God made this offer to him, I expected him to ask for wisdom. Well, that was appropriate for Solomon, but my dad responded differently and it has stuck with me through the years. He said, "I would ask for contentment." After considering it, it is quite profound. If I have contentment, I have all I need or want. There is nothing I would ever have to ask for. Why would I? I am content. It goes without saying that we are not talking about being content with less than what we should be. It is more along the lines of the words of Paul - "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

Prayer  (For today, should the prayer be any other than the gold nugget itself?)

Lord, remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches- Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Amen

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A False Portrait

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 28

Gold Nugget

Verse 13: He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 

Commentary

It is natural for us to hid our faults. As a matter of fact, we are very thorough when it comes to how we portray ourselves. We go to extremes to hide our weaknesses and even further to hide our sins. Likewise, we go through just as much effort to accent our strengths or even the illusion of strength in an area that we may actually be weak in. We are so consumed with this need to convince people of who we think we are or who we want to be that it keeps anyone from truly knowing who we are. Even ourselves. 


Have you ever known someone who is so honest with who they are that they seem even to have no shame? Like the guy who will ask how to spell a word that surely any educated person should know. Does he not know that the word has a simple spelling? Shouldn't he be embarrassed to reveal his apparent weakness? Well, I know people like that and I want to be more like them. I don't want to necessarily have their weakness; I do however, want to have the strength they posses. Where we can see their weakness, we can also see their humility. I admire and respect people with humility. Especially those who are humble about their weaknesses in the flesh. I am encouraged when someone is open about a sin and confesses it for help and repents. 


As mentioned, we are so consumed with presenting ourselves as we want to be seen, that no one really knows who we are. In the process, we make ourselves unchangeable. We stunt our own growth (He who covers his sins will not prosper). I want to be able to benefit from God's mercy that is present through confessing and forsaking (But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy). 

Prayer 
Lord, as mentioned yesterday, when you open up the door for me to have people that can bond with me spiritually, I want to pour my heart into the relationship. I need someone of spiritual maturity that I confess my faults with. Someone who can pray with me and stand with me. Help me Lord, to know how deadly it is for me to keep sin hidden in my life. I want and need to be purged from the impurities of this world. Amen

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Iron Men

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 27

Gold Nugget

Verse 17: As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 

Commentary

Several years ago when I first started doing the proverb a day on a regular basis, several of us guys would get together to read and share our thoughts. While reading the proverbs, we couldn't avoid the high level of accountability that is clearly expected of us on it's pages. In an age of ever growing tolerance, accountability is failing. Godly leaders are calling for this level of accountability, but the amount of noise and pressure coming from the tolerance concept is louder. It is winning. We must continue to press this issue in whatever fields of influence we have. In a theocracy (which is what Christians live in) the majority doesn't rule. God's commands remain the object for achievement. In His kingdom we are responsible for one another actions. The concept that your actions effect you and my actions effect me and thats it, is not only failing - it's foolishness. 


Drawing from the verse in this chapter, As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend, we called our men's group "Iron Men". There was a high level of accountability, because we accepted this truth that a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. We discussed deep issues, confessed our faults one to another and prayed with each other for healing. When I talk to some of those guys that used to meet together, there is a common response of it being some of the strongest times spiritually as well as some of the closest times we've had with God. Do you know someone that you could gain strength from through their encouragement as well as their correction? If not, I would highly recommend you seek the Lord for this person or persons. When God does provide you this atmosphere, receive it with gladness and commit to it with all your heart.
 

Prayer

Lord, help me to see the need to bond spiritually with others that walk in your light. Help me to have the love, compassion and boldness to be you to them. Help me to have the humility and openness to allow them to be you to me. Amen

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Foolish Conversations

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 26

Gold Nugget

Verse 4-5: Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Commentary

Today's gold nugget is a close relative to yesterday's "Let's Tango" . It's one of my favorites because it reminds me not to be limited by my natural perspective. Which should we follow? Verse 4's instruction to give no answer to a fool or verse 5's instruction to answer a fool?


Much like yesterday's summary, it boils down to your motive and what the end result will be. Through wisdom, you will be able to have a good understanding of what the potential response will be should you take objection with a fool's folly. Will he reject your response as foolishness? If you know without doubt that the foolish person will reject your wisdom as foolishness, why provoke him? Wouldn't that be foolish? If so, then you have answered a fool with foolishness, and become like him. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Remember what Paul wrote to Titus "But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." Titus 3:9


Concerning Verse 5, "Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes." There is a time when someone who is speaking foolishness should be answered. Again, through wisdom, you will be able to have a good understanding of what the potential response will be should you take objection with a fool's folly. If someone is speaking foolishness and there is the potential that they would receive your correction, then you have an opportunity instruct in wisdom. If you do not correct or instruct when the opportunity for it to be received is open, he will think himself wise in his own eyes. Why let a fool continue in his folly if you can enlighten him? Also, weigh out the potential for bystanders to be led away with a fool's folly. For their benefit, you may need to speak up in gentleness.

Prayer

Lord, today may present situations where people are speaking foolishness. Give me the wisdom to know whether I should speak or remain silent. If I should speak, give me the boldness and courage, together with gentleness to speak words of wisdom. If I should remain silent, give me the self control to do so. Amen

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The Bed You Lay In

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 21

Gold Nugget

Verse 9: Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.  19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman

Commentary

You've heard the old saying "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."It goes without saying that Proverbs was written in a masculine context. Should that excuse the ladies from heeding or learning from it's principles and wisdom? What could we possibly glean from the (twice mentioned here and again in other proverbs) "contentious woman"? 

First, I would say the goal is not to asses this "contentious (angry or full of strife) woman". We would do ourselves a great injustice not to perceive the position of the man. It is well documented and understood of history the role that men and women played in those days. I like that these chapters never mention that it was better to divorce an angry woman than to live with or share a house with her. As a rehabilitated divorcer, that would have given the old me a way out. As I said, I have been rehabilitated. God has shown me that some beds I make, I must lay in.

Sometimes (whether it be marriage or another situation) we make decisions that we must live with. I have a tattoo from my early years that I would rather not have anymore. Many Christians can never vote, because of a felony that was committed in their past. There are many choices we have made that we must learn how to be faithful Christians despite of. Maybe it is the church you attend, the job you go to everyday or the car payment you just got yourself into. You may have to just ride this one out with a lot of grace, patience and mercy until God delivers you. People will always be difficult and decisions may cost you, but we are not a weak people. God's children are strong and able to hang in there. Whatever it is you are having to face because of your own doing or choice, God can give you the grace to endure and the mercy to forgive.

Prayer

Lord, I know that some of my difficulties are because of decisions that I have made myself. I know that you have forgiven me of poor and foolish decisions, but I also know that sometimes I must still face the consequences. I take pleasure in knowing that I will never have to pay the full price of my sins because of your work on the cross. I can (with your grace and mercy) endure the road that is before me. Amen

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Money Matters

Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. 3The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord. 4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. 6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. 7 All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish. 10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. 12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. 14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. 16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given. 18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. 19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. 21 There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. 24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. 26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.27 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

(New King James Version)

Gold Nugget:

 4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. 6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. 7 All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. 

Commentary

I don't now exactly where I stand in the matter of lower class, middle class and upper class. Well, actually I'm fairly certain that it isn't upper class. I know for sure that I was born into lower class. I was adopted out of pretty bad living conditions when I was 8 years old. My new family would not have been considered rich or probably even middle class. The fact is, my dad could have been rich. I know he possessed the ability to do well in life financially. However, he chose a life of ministry without desire for personal gain. I remember when I was young, how he would drive into downtown Houston and just ask a homeless person to jump in. He would take them home and disciple them, help them find work until they could stand on their own. He had been poor as a child and never thought himself any better than anyone. Like Jesus, he has been a friend to the poor. 

I remember a movie in the early 90's with Mel Brooks about a rich man that takes a bet to be able to survive on the streets of L.A. for 30 days without using his status as a rich man. Where he used to be nearly worshiped by his subjects  (4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. 6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.) now no one would so much as give him bread. To most people, money matters in how they see you. If you have it you have many "friends", if you don't your "friends" will leave you. We as disciples of Christ are different than this. We have an attitude of interest in a man's soul and not his pocket book. 

Prayer:

Lord, where do I stand on this issue? As I survey my friends, have I selected those of equal or greater status than me? Would I be embarrassed to associate with the poor and proud to be known as a friend to the rich? Help me father to look at a man's soul and be to him what you would be to him.

Amen

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