Love Seeks To Understand

S scripture: "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." 

Proverbs 3: 13

O observation: Love seeks to understand. To find wisdom and understanding in love you must study the one you love. You must desire to know more about them than your favorite sports team or hobbies. Love seeks to understand their hopes, dreams, and fears, as well as to gain wisdom in the way they think. Understanding prevents conflict stemmed from different points of view.

A application: Our flesh, that has grown comfortable with this other person, convinces our hearts that we know our love and we don't need to spend countless hours studying them. The truth is very different: the one we love is a deep well and it would take a lifetime to reach the bottom. There is plenty unknown that needs to be known and studied. Love seeks to understand. Today I seek to know him greater and to increase my wisdom about him.

P prayer: God, my understanding has fallen short. I have allowed myself to be fooled and believed I understood when I didn't. I have allowed misunderstandings to bring conflict. Please forgive me for not seeking understanding. Help me to find wisdom and to gain understanding that I would be blessed. Help me to discern information given that I would be able to understand and avoid conflict. Help me to obtain the opportunity to learn more. In Your loving name, Amen

Decision Making

In life we are faced with many decisions, some easy and some hard, but all that will affect our lives. Over the years I have read or heard many types of advice on how to make decisions: to listen to your heart, to ignore your heart, and to think practically or even to wait and do nothing. The truth is decisions aren't easy and making a choice can't come down to a single factor. My heart might desire a new job, but I can't let that be the reason I quit. I also need to consider how quitting my job might affect my finances or my ability to find a new job. Note this is just an example of a decision and not a decision I am considering.

I think God wants us to consider our decisions prayerfully, turning over everything to Him, and allowing Him time to speak to us about His plan. He also has provided us with people who have wisdom in different areas that we would be able to seek out advice from someone who has understanding. Victory is won through much advice and plans fail for lack of counsel.

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29: More Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.). 

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy. A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent. An angry person stirs up conflict; and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

God wants us to heed a rebuke because rebukes prevent us from continuing to make the same mistakes. God says that if we remain stubborn, refusing to listen to rebukes, that we will be destroyed and there won't be another opportunity to reconcile our mistakes. Joy comes from loving wisdom and God wants us to be wise. God wants us to care about justice for the poor. We shouldn't take advantage of the poor because they are poor, instead we should ensure they achieve justice. Wisdom turns away anger and God wants us to avoid quarrels. We are to bring calm during an argument instead of giving full vent to our rage. God wants us to discipline our children that they would discover wisdom and not turn insolent. Godly discipline won't harm your child, but will benefit their life all the days of their life. God doesn't want us to be angry or to be full of pride, instead He wants us to be lowly in spirit and to trust in Him.

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24: Thirty Sayings of the Wise (Cont.).

Saying 20: Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence. 

Saying 21: By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.

Saying 22:  The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength; surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.

Saying 23: Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

Saying 24: Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer; the schemes of folly are sin.

Saying 25: If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength; rescue those being led astray to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

Saying 26: Eat honey, my son, for it is good; know also that wisdom is like honey for you.

Saying 27: Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for through the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. 

Saying 28: Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.

Saying 29: Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoers has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Saying 30: Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials.

Further Sayings of the Wise:

To show partiality in judging is not good; An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips; Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready, after that build your house; Do not testify against your neighbor without cause; A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

God does not want us to associate with the wicked, to envy their lives, or to desire their company. The hearts of the wicked plot violence and God's will is for us to be at peace with one another. A house is built by wisdom and established through understanding. Wisdom and knowledge provide power and strength. God wants us to seek out advisers because victory is won through many advisers. We are told to rescue those being led to death and hold back those being taken to slaughter. God wants us to lead as many people to life (God) as we can and to prevent them from death (hell). The righteous will always rise again, this is a promise, even though we might fall seven times. God does not want us to rejoice when our enemy falls. It is God's will that we would allow him to punish our enemy, but God still loves him or her. The punishment is for the good of our enemy just as discipline is for the good of our children. God's will is that we would not be afraid of evil because he gives us this promise that the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.  

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common:  the Lord is the Maker of them all. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 

Believers and non-believers are both known for their name. Their name is spread among family, friends, and acquaintances, along with the actions they are known for. God's will is that our names would be good and that our name would be known for righteous actions. Our names are not about our riches or our poorness, but about our Maker, the Lord. God made all of us and whether we are rich or poor God wants us to live generous lives. We are to be kind and share our food with the poor. God's desire is for us to raise our children in His ways and then they will not turn from it, even when old. Our children should have good, generous names.

Proverbs 22: Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1: Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth.

Saying 2: Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Saying 3: Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4: Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Saying 5: Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6: Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

God's will is for us to be honest and to speak the truth. Speaking falsehood will only lead to destruction. God wants us to take care of the poor and to not exploit the poor or crush the needy. The Lord himself will take up their case and those who crush them will be destroyed. God is clear that we are not to be hot-tempered or to make friends with someone who is hot-tempered because the ways of one easily angered lead to ensnarement. We are to forgive, overlooking offenses, and be slow to anger. God's will is for us to be free and to not be yoked to anyone or anything on Earth. If you take up a pledge or put up security for debts then you are yoked to that person. God warns that if that happens then you will lose your very bed. We are not to move an ancient boundary stone set up by our ancestors, which means that we can't take what was already given. The Promised Land was divided according to the Israelites's ancestors and to move a boundary stone would be to remove an inheritance already given. God's will is that we would be skilled in our work.

Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 

The Lord holds the heart of kings and changes them as He pleases, how much more can He change the hearts of "ordinary" men? We do not fool God with our ways because He looks at our heart. God's will is for us to live righteous lives and be diligent in our plans. God desires us to be at peace with one another, forgiving offenses, and avoiding quarrels. We like to believe we are perfect, but we make mistakes too. God's will is for us to take care of the poor.

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. The Lord tests the heart like the furnace tests gold. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. A friend loves at all times. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

God wants us to live peaceful lives, slow to anger, and quick to drop an offense. The Lord tests our hearts that they would be pure. We are to love always because love covers an offense and is quick to forgive. Love does not repeat an offense. God wants us to be wise and keep wisdom in view. We are to use words with restraint and keep ourselves even-tempered lest we create a quarrel.

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers. Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord and humility comes before honor.

God wants us to speak gently and give thoughts to our answers. Anyone who has worked with children knows the effect a harsh word has on the spirit. Our words should bring healing and happiness. God wants us to be patient and to calm quarrels. Our lives should be symbols of peace not conflict. God wants us to plan with the help of advisers. Rushing into plans leads to failure: think and then act. Don't let success make you forget your humility.

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A wise son heeds his father's instruction and from the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.  One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

God wants us to listen to advice and guard our lips lest we be led to destruction. How often have we spoke the thoughts on our mind only to find those thoughts have hurt people we cared about? God wants our words to bring healing and not destruction. Again, we aren't to pretend to be something we aren't. God wants us to act with knowledge and to leave an inheritance for our children's children. We should live lives based on wisdom. 

Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.). 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is unwise. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. The plans of the righteous are just and the house of the righteous stands firm. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. The righteous care for their animals and those who work their land have abundant food. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 

God wants us to love discipline because it gives us knowledge and keeps us from wickedness. God isn't concerned about our appearance to the world, but our hearts. Righteous lives are reflected in righteous actions and righteous lives are rewarded. God doesn't want us to pretend to be somebody, but to live honest lives as a nobody. We are not to show annoyance quickly, but instead to forgive and overlook an insult. This is often difficult, but God wants us to live prudent lives.

Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9: Invitations of Wisdom and Folly. Both wisdom and folly beckon you to their homes and invite you to eat of their food, but only the food of wisdom leads to life. Rebuking mockers only leads to hate, but rebuke of the wise leads to wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom is rewarding and mockery will lead to suffering. 

God tells us both wisdom and folly are readily available to each of us, but only wisdom leads to life. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Fear of the Lord teaches us to obey God and the knowledge of the Holy One tells us how to obey God. Wisdom is rewarding because it comes from obeying God. God's favor is on the wise, but those who mock God suffer. Choose wisdom and feast on the food of the knowledge of the Holy One. Do not eat on the food of folly for it only leads to suffering and death. 

Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8: Wisdom's Call. Wisdom is precious and compared to precious metals and stones. We are told to seek out wisdom because of its valuable nature. Wisdom has existed since the very beginning and was there when God created the heavens and the earth. Those who find wisdom find life and receive favor from God, but those who fail to find wisdom harm themselves and all who hate wisdom love death. God's will for our lives is that we seek wisdom and lead lives of understanding. Wisdom is life and finds favor with God, but folly leads to death. We are meant to seek wisdom and to store up understanding because this brings life.

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4: Get Wisdom at Any Cost. Wisdom and understanding are not easy to obtain, but we are instructed to obtain them at all costs. Wisdom is seen as protection and prevents those who have it from stumbling. Personally, I enjoy learning new things and studying material until I understand it, but gaining wisdom and understanding is hard. It requires effort on your part, but the rewards last a lifetime. Wisdom allows us to identify wicked men and to avoid their path. Wicked people can't rest without doing wicked things, but their actions only lead to destruction.

Seek to obtain wisdom and keep it within your heart. Wisdom and understanding are life and health to one's whole body. Guard your heart because all of your actions flow from it. Keep corrupt talk away from your lips. Let your eyes lock straight ahead and give careful thoughts to the paths for your feet. It is easy to wander off the path when you aren't focused, which is why wisdom says to keep your eyes straight ahead on the path you are taking, do not turn to the left or to the right.

Proverbs 3

Proverbs 3: Wisdom Bestows Well-Being. Keeping God's commandments in your heart will prolong your life, as well as bring about peace and prosperity. Love and faithfulness should be with you always for they will win you favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Do not rely on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all your heart and in all your ways submit to Him. Honor the Lord with your wealth and your wealth will be overflowing. Do not despise the Lord's discipline, but rejoice for He disciplines those He loves. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it or plot to harm your neighbor. Do not accuse without reason or envy the violent.

Wisdom is a continuous process of knowing and understanding God's commandments that leads to our well being. Wisdom means being at peace with our neighbors, honoring God in all we do, doing good to others, and accepting God's discipline as a loving gesture to protect us from being led astray by wicked people. 

Proverbs 2

Proverbs 2: The Benefits of Wisdom. We are told to seek wisdom like silver or hidden treasure, to accept God's words, to store up His commandments within us, and to apply our hearts to understanding. If we do this we will find success and be protected from the ways of the wicked. The benefits of wisdom include living a righteous life and living in the land. The land being the promised land, the land God promised the early Jews, and ultimately an eternal life with God.

I have always valued wisdom, sought out knowledge, but until today I never really considered the benefits of wisdom. Despite the saying, "ignorance is bliss," wisdom actually makes life easier and better in the long run. Yes, wisdom takes more time, but we are less likely to be led astray and suffer unnecessary consequences. Wisdom is very much a treasure and is God's way of protecting us from the ways of wicked people. 

Proverbs 1

Today I began a journey into discovering God's will for life. I will discover God's will for my life by reading a different portion of scripture each day. For the next 31 days I will be reading a different chapter of Proverbs and begin to share what I think is being said through God's word.

Proverbs 1 is a warning against following sinful people and ignoring wisdom. In this world there are people who seek to invite you into sinful activities in order to profit (ill-gotten gains), but the path of those people leads to destruction. If people invite you onto their evil path, do not go with them. For the most part, people know right from wrong, even a small child knows he can't take his friend's toys or cause him harm, but occasionally an adult tries to justify their wrong behavior. This is where wisdom calls out, warning you to repent of your misdeeds and simple ways. Those who don't answer and accept wisdom's rebuke are led to disaster when calamity strikes like a storm. Crying out when calamity strikes, caused by our refusal to listen to wisdom, will not prevent us from experiencing the consequences of our actions. But everyone who listens to wisdom will live in safety.

When we were young, our parents directed our steps and directed us in the way we should go, but as we grew older we were able to direct our own paths using the wisdom we had learned. However, as adults we realized right and wrong wasn't always black and white like when we were children. We found ourselves being led astray and sometimes this meant we suffered consequences for our mistakes. The Bible says to watch our path, to not follow sinful people, and to heed wisdom's rebuke.

The decisions we make aren't always black and white, but with a little patience we can discern what is right and what is sinful, heeding wisdom's call, and not be led astray into calamity.