Today marks the half way point in this book and also in this month. I hope most of you are still with me and the Lord is speaking to you each day through these verses.
Again the theme of discipline is mentioned in this chapter. Vs 10 actually says we will be "severely disciplined" if we abandon the right path but then if we "hate" the correction that comes we will die. Correction and disciple are serious things with the Lord. As I saw in previous chapters, we should see it as a good thing in our lives and not shrink back from it. That isn't easy to do, but it is a wise thing to do. Look at vs 31 "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise." And again in vs 32 "If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding." And then vs 33 brings this all into perspective "Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor."
This week I have been thinking a lot about my reactions to situations and to people around me and I am beginning to realize that I often react in a wrong way when I see the situation only from the perspective of how it affects me. Granted, the situations I am talking about usually include me or are directed toward me, but they are usually not about me. Everything that comes into my life is allowed by God and He gives me the opportunity each time to bring good or to allow ............ me to be the center of that encounter. Look at verse 33 again - "Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor." That sure isn't putting my perspective first but it is putting the Lord's first. We are so programed to put our needs and our wants before what He is trying to do in our lives. He is concerned about us but He wants us to be more concerned about others and leave our concerns to Him!!! We worry about how we look to others and all He is wanting is for us to be there for others and to be open and humble and put Him first - not us. I guess we really don't believe He cares about our EVERY NEED!!!
I am beginning to see that most of the things I get "upset" about really have nothing to do with me but God has put me in the situation to give me the chance to help someone to grow in Him and/or to allow me the chance to put my own needs into His Hands. I pray "Use me Lord" so when He does, I have to be willing.
What are you learning???
3 comments:
That is good insight Pastor Susan. God is the source of all valid correction in our life, not people. I always think of even when people have problems with us or how we do things and our reaction can be to disregard it b/c of the source, or even get defensive, but sometimes God just wants us to shut the voice of the "person" and just listen to His voice in it. If there is a problem in my life, I certainly want my ears and heart to be open to it no matter what messenger it comes from. Some of the verses that spoke to me also were about what comes out of my mouth.
v 1--a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
v. 2--the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
v 4--a wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit
v 7--the lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of a fool does not do so.
v 23--a man has joy in the answer of his mouth,and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
v 26--the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the Words of the pure are pleasant.
In all these verses, God has just been speaking to me about letting life come out of my mouth. I especially love the first one about soft words. Harsh or frustrated words or tone of voice can just make a bad situation worse....but a soft word turns away wrath. That is a good reminder for me of how to respond to people. Our words are powerful and these verses remind me that what comes out of my mouth can be life or death, encouragement or frustration, and affect not only my own spirit, attitude and heart perspective, but my words can have a strong impact on the hearer and they have the power to build up or tear down. I don't want my words to break someone's spirit! That is convicting, especially when it comes to my children. i want to speak to my kids and people God has given me to shepherd with the same TLC that He does with me, and with the same grace and tenderness that He Himself would display toward them. I am the person He has placed in my children's life to care for them and train them the way He Himself would do. I am just learning to cast my cares on Him, roll frustrating moments off on Him, and walk in the grace and peace that He has provided for me and to guard what comes out of my mouth, b/c what comes out of my mouth affects what gets into my heart, which affects how I deal with everyone in my life.
One thing that spoke to me from this chapter was the reassurance that God is available to be close to me! How is this possible? Verse 29 esp. resonated within me: "God keeps His distance from the wicked; He closely attends the prayers of God-loyal people." Other verses throughout the chapter echo this God-is-close-to-the-righteous concept, leaving me with a feeling of encouragment and safety and a source of true joy.
I also really liked the discipline verses. Listen to constructive discipline and you will be home among the wise. I also love verse 14, A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. There is a lot of trash to feed on in this world. TV, internet, books, advertisements. We are bombarded with trash everywhere we turn, really. I don't want to feed myself with trash, but rather with the things of God.
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