Proverbs 20:22-30

verse 22: “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.”

If you’re a fan of adventure movies, then surely you’ve seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. If you have seen it, you’ll remember the penultimate scene where the bad guys are trying to open the Ark of the Covenant. Indy and Marion, who are tied to a pole nearby, keep their eyes shut, knowing that the contents of the Ark are not to be viewed. As the energies of the Ark are released, all who view it are struck down…all except for Indiana and Marion.

As bad as I wanted Indy to be the one who got the revenge on the Nazis and the traitorous archeologist who helped them, it was poetic justice that God struck them down.

We all have the desire for revenge, for payback. But that prerogative belongs to the Lord, and we need to leave it in His hands. Indeed, as the Holman concordance points out on page 233, we should follow the advice of Romans 12:17-13:4, and pour kindness out on our enemies. It might seem easier to “take the wheel” ourselves, but God knows what’s best for us. Leave the driving to Him, and you’ll be amazed just where you go.

Have a blessed day!

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Proverbs 20:20-21

verse 20: “He who curses his father or his mother; His lamp will go out in time of darkness.”

What is wrong with the family in today’s world?

I’m not here to address every single definition (by the world anyway) of the word “family”, except to say this: If parents did as God instructed us to do, and if children did as God instructed us to do, I truly believe we’d have less problems. Sure, growing up, there were times I disagreed or was mad with my father or my mother…but I never ever considered cursing them. In Exodus 21:17, the reference to “lamp” was one’s life! My wife reminded me, in the last days, according to 2 Timothy 3:2, that “men will be…disobedient to parents”.
There are times as we go down life’s road that we’ll be glad to have parents, who have been there before us. They are to be treated with honor and respect.

God considered this so important, our relationship to our parents, that He reserved one of the commandments just for this: see Exodus 20:12.

Something to think about.

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Proverbs 20:17-19

verse 17: “Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.”

In the Christian cartoon series 3-2-1 Penguins! (from the makers of VeggieTales http://www.bigideafun.com/penguins/ ) was an episode entitled The Cheating Scales of Bullamanka. In it, the little girl Michelle is taken on a mission by the space-bound penguins to aid the Bandicoot King; he is a prisoner of the Lizard King as a result of losing a rigged game. The Lizard King also tries to cheat Michelle in the same game. When Michelle confronts him about his cheating by quoting the Bible, the Lizard King comes to realize that, of all the things he’s gained by cheating, a good feeling wasn’t one of them. He renounces his cheating ways, frees his prisoners, and even offers to play the Bandicoot King in another game, this time on the up-and-up. Michelle also learns the same lesson, since she had cheated her twin brother Jason in a game before going on the mission.

My sons like to use those “cheat codes” on their Nintendo DS games to get ahead in their pursuit of points; I hope that one day they’ll realize that their “point achievement” will be hollow…that earning your way through the game “honestly” has a better measure of satisfaction than taking short-cuts. There are no short-cuts to salvation; in fact, you can’t even earn your way. The only way is through the gift of salvation given to us by Jesus Christ. You must confess your sins, recognize Him as Savior, and accept Him into your heart as Lord of your life. When you do that, the feeling will be sweeter than any bread known to man!

Have a blessed day!

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Proverbs 20:7-16

verse 7: “A righteous man who walks in his integrity — How blessed are his sons after him.”

I have a footnote in my Ryrie Bible that points to a reference found in Exodus 20:5-6: “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Men, our actions have consequences. When your father is a God-fearing Christian, who “walks in his integrity”, his children benefit not only directly, but indirectly as well. Though we don’t appreciate it when we’re younger, to hear someone say “Oh him? That’s (fill-in-the-blank)’s son!”, reflects a legacy left to us by our fathers. If you’re a father, you have that same opportunity and responsibility to leave that legacy to your children. God blesses our families, and our actions do have consequences. What kind of legacy are you making for your family today?

Something to think about.

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Proverbs 20:5-6

verse 5: “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.”

When I was young, I went on my first “deep-sea” fishing trip. I had been fishing before in lakes back home, and could at least see into that water for a ways. But when we would let those deep-sea rods loose, and feel how long it took the weighted hooks to drop into the sea, I didn’t understand how we would catch anything when we couldn’t see it. Our captain understood though; he knew that with the proper bait in the proper spot and a little patience, we could be reeling in some red snapper and other fish within no time at all.

I read this verse and the Holman commentary on it, and I often think of my parents when they would say, “I know what you’re up to.” It didn’t matter what I appeared to be up to, they always seem to know my real motives and purposes. That type of wisdom comes from God. Experience may give us insight as to being able to tell what our children are up to, but God grants us that wisdom to be able to “draw out” those plans. God Himself knows what we’re thinking better than we know ourselves. As I’ve said before, He is that Source of wisdom; we have but to ask. Jesus wants us to be fishers of men; are you ready to “reel them in”?

Something to think about today.

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