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There is so much wisdom, encouragement, hope, and sound advice in the Bible, you could spend 10 life times in study and still barely scratch the surface. (Ps. 40:5) This is not an exaggeration. It is exactly what our church fathers and theologians did throughout history. They spent their entire lives devoted to the Scripture.

When I think about it, it is amazing the sheer volume of works these men produced. Men like Calvin, Luther, Matthew Henry; and some of our modern theologians like R.C Sproul, James Montgomery Boice, and Dr. Gordon H. Clark. Names just off the top, but the books and resources these and others have produced since the completion of the Bible are enormous. 

Neither would it be an exaggeration to say no other book in the history of the world has affected so many lives. That is why the Bible is still the number one best seller.

Over the next few weeks I thought about posting a number of Psalms and Proverbs which I have collected over the course of my personal studies. I wanted to post all of my collection but I think I am only allowed so much by copyright law. And I have a friend out there who usually reminds when I am getting close to infringement. 

The genre is generally called Wisdom literature and Prophetic Poetry. They are some of my favorites. I hope you will be as encouraged by them as I have. God bless. 

Proverbs 3:1–35 (NASB95)

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 

2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 

3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, 

12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 

14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 

17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. 

21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. 

23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 

26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. 

30 Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 

31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. 

32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright.

33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 

34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.

Proverbs 24 - Wisdom For Everyday Life

I can remember a certain lady knowing I had purchased The Great Books, (54 volumes of the some of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in the Western world) asked which book I would recommend for her granddaughter. She knew I was a Christian and might have anticipated my answer, so she asked specifically about my collection and which would be the best choice. The answer for me was easy: without a doubt Plato, especially the dialogs. 

Had time allowed additional discussion, or maybe I should say persuasion, instead of Plato I would have recommended the Bible hands down. 

Even if you're an unbeliever there is something in it for everyone. In particular, the Book of Proverbs gives the best possible solutions for everyday life. It is not an exact prescription or “how to book” for every conceivable circumstance. But nonetheless, it is salubrious in its general outline for right living, and further study of its maxims may lead to something greater. 

The introduction of Proverbs simply states it purpose: 

            2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

            3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

           4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— ^[1] (ESV)

My devotions this morning brought me to Proverbs 24. I had to pause midway to thank God for the perfection of His word. Even in translation the wisdom and majesty of it is awe inspiring. Below is just a sample. 

Proverbs 24:1–34 (NASB95)

 

1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.

6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.

8 One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer.

9 The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.

11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.

12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;

14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;

16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18 Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked;

20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,

22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?

23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;

25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.

27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips.

29 Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,

31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.

33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,”

34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Pr 1:2–4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

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Psalm 138

I haven't written anything in awhile. My devotions and personal studies seems to be taking up most of my time. Besides, I unashamedly admit I simply do not have the brain power to take on too many projects. The Lord has not gifted me in this way.  It’s not an excuse, it is just the way I am. As the apostle Paul wrote, ‘I am want I am by the grace of God’.

Anyway, I thought I might post this brief psalm by King David.

 

Lately God has blessed me with encouragement and has caused me to praise Him through his word.

You know, I sometimes think about these so called “New Age, Pop Psychologist Gurus” who seem to have it all together. They go around the country and preached “self-help” or “self-improvement” seminars. People pay a lot of money for their books and to hear what they have to say.  I suppose it’s not all bad. I’m sure in some things they can offer some good, practical advice.

However, when it comes to real joy and things needful to the soul, I cannot think of anything more gratifying than the word of God. 

In the Westminster Confession of Faith, in sec. 1.5 it says: 

1:5 We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. 1Tim 3:15.  And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. (Isa 59:21; John16:13, John16:14;1Co2:10-12; 1Jn2:20, 1Jn2:27).

Other Christian authors may write they will about God, the doctrine of salvation, of sin, or maybe even a good commentary, but it is the Holy Spirit which takes the things of God and reveals them to our hearts. It is the Spirit which causes us to rejoice, or if need be, to tremble at its threatening that we may be warned or chastised for our own good. I prayed last night before bed that the Lord would encourage me. I believe He honored my request this morning by this psalm. I pray it does the same for you. 

                         1  I will praise thee with my whole heart:

Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

                         2  I will worship toward thy holy temple,

And praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:

For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

                         3  In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

                         4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord,

When they hear the words of thy mouth.

                         5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord:

For great is the glory of the Lord.

                         6 Though the Lord be high, yet ⁱhath he respect unto the lowly:

But the proud he knoweth afar off.

                         7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me:

Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies,

And thy right hand shall save me.

                         8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:

Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: Forsake not the works of thine own hands.

^[1]

   

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 138:1–Ps 139). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Biblical Iliteracy

We don't need more "how to books" dealing with anxiety or troubled marriages. We need a revival in the Reformed Evangelical Church.  A revival which places the Bible at the center of our thinking. A revival of content which transforms the heart of believers. It's not a enough to learn how to quote verses or tell others about about the emotional connection we have with Jesus Christ. We need to be able to explain our faith, and to give sound reasons as to why we believe the Bible is true.

Maybe Biblical illiteracy is expected in secular society today, but with the abundant resources we have available, quite literally at our finger tips, it should not be expected in the church.  David R. Nienhuis, explains in his essay, "The Problem of Evangelical Biblical Illiteracy -- A View from the Classroom" the issues involved and possible solutions. You can read the essay here: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy

A Book Review by Pastor K.G of David P. Murray --Christians Get Depressed Too

Pastor K.G wrote a positive review of Murray's book. For those of you who suffer from depression it might be worth checking out. You can read his review here: Book Review: David P. Murray- Christians Get Depressed Too