Tag: Proverbs

Without Rain

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given”.

~ Proverbs 25:14

It is not for the Christian to speak loosely with empty words and vain promises. Those who talk themselves up in order to look more intelligent, more favorable or more popular in the eyes of others may have a form of those things, but lack the true substance. Let the words of the believer always speak with grace, as seasoned with salt. Let your nay be your nay, and your yea, your yea in the eyes of the Lord. Amen.

~ apl

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With The Humble

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.”

~ Proverbs 11:2

Pride has been the arch nemesis of humanity since the dawn of man. It was pride that made Adam believe he could “be like God“. Sinful willful pride is a hinderance to our prayers and fellowship with God (Job 35:12). And, of course, pride is always the prerequisite for our fall into sin and leads to our ultimate destruction. But the path to true holiness and spiritual life is one of true humility. Godly wisdom is the fruit borne from a life given to God in deference, faith and love. The Lord saves the humble (Ps. 18:27). With pride, man foolishly strives to lift himself. But it is the Lord who lifts the humble. And it is only the humble who find God’s grace.

~ apl

A Hereafter

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.”

~ Proverbs 23:18

As sure as the Bible teaches there is a God, a Savior and a need for salvation, the Scriptures teach there is a hereafter. This present world is not all there is. There is another place, another time, which spans all eternity. Each person has an appointment with the hereafter. The Bible describes the hereafter as one of two places: heaven or hell, paradise or perdition, eternal joy or everlasting justice. Where will you be? For those trusting in Jesus Christ, your hope will not be cut off.

~ apl

Two Ears, One Mouth

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

~ Proverbs 10:19

There used to be a popular old adage that said God created us with two ears and one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we speak. In a day and age where through social media and the like everyone feels the need to have a “voice”, let us remember the Scriptural wisdom of guarding our speech and restraining our lips. Because of our sinful hearts, the more the mouth speaks, the more prone it is to speak sinfully. There is godly wisdom in silence. Let us speak only when it will be edifying for others and pleasing to the Lord (Col. 4:6).

~ apl

Tents & Houses

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish.

~ Proverbs 14:11

God is faithful to both the wicked and the righteous. Sound strange? Think about it. His promises towards both are sure and certain. The Lord’s Word stands as true to one as it does the other. In our passage before us, we are told the house of the wicked will be overthrown. The meaning is all the wicked do, all they establish here on earth, any accumulation of power or prosperity, even they themselves, will one day come to nought. While the tent of the upright will be blessed, it will flourish and ultimately prosper under God’s faithful care.

Consider one other caveat from this text, notice the contrast between the house of the wicked and the tent of the upright. A house may appear more stable than a tent. The house may give the resident a greater sense of safety and security than the one dwelling in a tent. But in the Lord’s plans, the house will fall while the tent shall stand. Though the upright may do with less in this world, and live by humbler means than the wicked, God is faithful to both, and it is the upright who will flourish while the wicked are fully and finally overthrown.

~ apl

Wallowing In Wickedness

~ A Prayer Life ~ 8 Comments

“The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.”

Proverbs 12:7

The contrast between the wicked and the righteous found in this Proverb is obvious. On that great and awful Day, a final reckoning will occur when the Lord of heaven and earth lays down His final judgment and those who are found wallowing in wickedness will be overthrown and eternally condemned. While those who have taken their shelter in the household of Faith, in the covering of Christ, will stand with Him and enjoy His everlasting blessing forever more. Pray for God’s mercy upon your soul and the souls of others.

Love Covered Sin

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

~ Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)

Practically speaking, the Christian should always endeavor to lean towards love with regard to their fellow man. But this can be especially hard when we feel we’ve been slighted or wronged. Yet, it is at this particular point Scripture teaches us the wisdom of covering transgressions in love. And if we fail to do this, and insist on repeating a matter, and are unwilling to show mercy and forgiveness that true friends are separated. Therefore, let us as disciples of the Lord Jesus follow His example. Practice love, love that leans towards and covers even a multitude of sins.

~ apl

Wisdom & Knowledge

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding…

~ Proverbs 14:33 (NAS)

Wisdom is understanding in action. Wisdom is applied knowledge. And while knowledge may reside in the head, wisdom rests in the heart. Bare knowledge left to itself creates pride. But when filtered through the wisdom of the heart, understanding and knowledge are wonderful things that can a blessing and used to serve the Lord. Therefore never leave knowledge to itself. Let us always allow the thoughts of our head to flow through the wisdom of our heart before applying it in our life. For whosoever does this, is the one who has true understanding.

~apl

The Eyes of God

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

[God’s] eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

~ Job 34:21

Note: Even though the Bible teaches God is Spirit, the Lord is sometimes described in Scripture using human features. He is said to have human characteristics. I think the best way to interpret the passages that speak of God in this manner is not literally, but figuratively. And the Lord uses this human (anthropomorphic) language to describe certain attributes, not so we know what He looks like, but so we can better relate to Him and understand more fully who He is in our relationship to Him.

It has been said the eye is the window to the soul. There is something about looking someone in the eye. There is an honesty, purity, and clarity the eyes find hard to hide. When the Bible speaks of God’s eyes, or the eyes of the Lord, is speaks to His full awareness or knowledge of all things. God is omniscient. Nothing is unknown to Him. From beginning to end, the ways of man are plain in His sight. As Proverbs 15:3 reads, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.” For those who trust Him, God’s watchful eye is a wonderful blessing. We can know He sees our afflictions. God knows our condition, and will come to our aid. But for those who do not fear the Lord, His knowledge of their sin will ultimately be what condemns them. Therefore, fear the Lord, take comfort in Him, for His eyes are upon you.

~ apl

A Wise Fountain

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life

~ Proverbs 13:14a (ESV)

As the waters of all true wisdom find their original source in God alone, so the many streams which flow out from wise godly people serve as a refreshing supply of the Lord’s spring. The teaching of the wise, of those who first seek God’s face and depend on His counsel, can be a blessing to others. God grants His people the privilege of sharing in His wisdom and He gifts Christ’s church with the knowledge and understanding to accomplish all His holy will. May we find and keep company with the wise, and drink deeply thereof, for there is a fountain of life.

~ apl