Foundations: Proverbs - Day 35 - Love Is Found

READ: Proverbs 3:3, 8:17, 10:12, 16:6, 17:9, 25:21-22

The Bible is a book of love. God’s love for us is declared almost chapter-by-chapter. Our call to love Him in response is highlighted. Then there’s our duty to love others extravagantly. Finally, we are told to avoid a “love of the world”, those things that are counter to the spirit of Christ.

Proverbs does not speak much of love, but it is in there. And we can say with complete confidence that love is behind much that is shared because love is wise! In fact, early in the book we’re told to, “let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (3:3). Love is to be a constant companion in our life. How much we would gain if we kept God’s love for us and our call to love others before us? The love we’re spurred on to in Proverbs is to extend wide and deep, even to our enemies.

We’re also told in Proverbs to actually love wisdom. To love wisdom is to love God. This is a profound truth if we’ll meditate on it! Wisdom cries out in the book of Proverbs, “I love those who love me and those who seek me will find me” (8:17). Doesn’t this sound like God? Really, it’s God saying to us – be wise!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      Spend some time thanking God for the book of Proverbs. Praise Him for not leaving us without a testimony of who He is, and His Ways. Praise Him for leading you throughout this book.

2.      Spend some time in God’s presence, asking to reveal His love to you in a deeper way, whether through thoughts, words, pictures, verses or even feelings. Ask Him to reveal His heart for others as well. Pray for the power to love!

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 34 - Friendship Can Help Or Hinder

READ: Proverbs 13:20, 17:17, 18:24 27:6, 27:17

Ask any pastor of young people what one of the most important factors in spiritual growth is and you’ll find that they emphasize friendship. Of course, the significance of friendship doesn’t end at a certain age and Proverbs teaches that our friendships can play a huge role in who we become. Put simply, friendships can help OR hinder. What is some specific advice that Proverbs offers?

 First, who we spend time with can greatly impact who we become. Or in the words of Proverbs, “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion of fools suffer harm” (13:20). When we spend time with those who are mature or maturing, we gain much. On the other hand, when we invest lots of time with the foolish we’ll struggle to stay strong. Instead, we place ourselves in the position of ALWAYS having to fight against the tide. Very few can do this successfully.

Second, our friendship time should involve support and spurring on of each other. These are the valuable friendships! We do need those who will stick by us when troubles come. And who will speak truth into our lives when lukewarmness is setting in, or compromise? Listen to Proverbs - “faithful are the wounds of a friend . . .” (27:6) And truly, “one man sharpens another.”

Finally, Proverbs encourages us against having TOO many friends. When we spread ourselves too thin, the impact of the best ones can be diluted. Certainly, “a man of many companions may come to ruin . . .” (18:24). It is good to regularly evaluate our friendships, for quantity and quality.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      Spend some time reflecting on how specific friendships have both helped and hindered your spiritual growth. Praise God for the positive impact you’ve received and ask Him to forgive you for letting others negatively influence you.

2.      Take stock of your current group of friends. How is the quality? What about the quantity? If you’re struggling to find friends, ask God where He wants you to step out in finding friends. Perhaps it’ll involve getting involved more in serving, or cell groups, OR being more open and friendly in the groups you’re in right now. It’s vital that we don’t chase after friends, or demand friendship, but seek to be friends and leave the rest up to God.

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 33 - A Blessed Marriage Requires Work

READ: Proverbs 5:15-20, 21:9, 31:12, 31:25, 31:28

In the previous devotional, we noted that reaching the potential for marriage that God intended involves following His prescription for marriage. It’s important at this point to note what hard work this is! However, it’s hard work that’s MORE than worth it. Do we believe this? Whether or not we actually can affirm this truth will greatly impact whether we’ll persevere through the ups and downs that come with any close relationship.

What kind of hard work does Proverbs emphasize? First, this work includes staying pure and being attentive to each other sexually. Purity in marriage is far more than not having sexual relationships with others. It includes not giving our hearts or eyes over to another in any way. You see, there’s the world’s standard, the standard of our flesh and THEN there’s God standard. God’s standard includes serving our spouses sexually. It’s not just what to avoid, but also what TO DO!

Second, we’re called to do the hard work of working against conflict. Proverbs says, “it is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife” (21:9). Some men love quoting this, but in all seriousness, God is asking men and women to eliminate behaviours that cause unnecessary conflict. This does not mean suppressing our feelings, but with God’s help, expressing them in a godly, gentle and generous spirit.

Third, not only should we seek to eliminate unnecessary conflict, we should also desire to be good to each other! The women in Proverbs 31 is commended with these words, “she does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (31:12). This is the CALL that God has for both husband and wife. Are both of them intentionally taking steps to DO good to their spouse? This includes praising each other, before others and to one another. We must speak highly of our spouses!

Finally, the hard work of marriage includes using the strength of our marriages to bless others. Put another way, a blessed marriage will also bless others. Again, we look to the woman of Proverbs 31 as an example, “she opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (31:20).

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      If married, ask God to affirm where YOU have worked hard to contribute to your marriage. Look at the various things noted in this devotional as a guide. Then ask Him, where have you been lazy or shown a lack of diligence? Ask Him for some immediate steps to correct this.  

2.      If single, pray that God would work in your life so that if He grants you the gift of marriage, you’ll be prepared. Also spend some time lifting up in prayer those who are married, that God may give them the strength to obey His Word. 

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 32 - The Joy Of A Godly Spouse

READ: Proverbs 12:4, 18:22, 31:10-11, 31:30

Marriage is an incredible blessing from God! There’s a consistent testimony throughout God’s Word that, “he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (18:22). One of the most significant blessings that come from the marriage relationship is the joy of partnership, of a shared life. It’s good for those who are married to ask – is this my experience of marriage? Is it truly something I thank God for?

Of course, a couple of key things will dramatically impact whether or not we experience the potential of marriage. First, the choice we make in choosing a spouse can greatly impact our enjoyment. Many have discovered this reality. If we chase or chased after only physical attraction or lust, or popularity or matched interests, difficulties can result later on.  Proverbs is clear - a godly spouse is ultimately what brings happiness within marriage. Or as Proverbs puts it, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (31:30). Now some who are reading this may say – “well, it’s too late now.” To this, Proverbs would say “no” and that takes us to a second key.

The second key is that living out the wisdom of the book of Proverbs, is supported by the rest of the Word, prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Fulfilling the potential of what God intended for marriage is tied to our obedience to wisdom. Even a difficult marriage, or a difficult partner, can be navigated by OUR choice to pursue righteousness. There’s always hope for more in our marriage, if only we’ll seek to live by God’s prescription for relationships.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      If married, think back to the pursuit of your spouse and the decision to get married. What was the decision to marry based on? If needed, confess where you walked this path independent of the Lord. If, on the other hand, if you walked with God in that time, thank Him for what He’s graciously done. Also spend some time thanking God for your spouse. If single, ask God to give you His heart for marriage and YOUR specific situation.  

2.      Reflect on this question, if married, – are you living according to God’s prescription for marriage? Do you have a commitment of regular time in His Word, so that He can speak to you clearly? 

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 31 - The Joy Of Godly Children

READ: Proverbs 13:1, 13:24, 15:20, 19:18, 22:6, 29:15

The Bible is clear that children are gift from God. So many blessings flow from having children. Some of the blessings include: they are cute(!), they have an innocence that can be a shining example of the type of faith we’re to have as followers of Christ, they can bring much joy through their enthusiasm, they allow us to multiply ourselves in our goal to further God’s Kingdom, they can help us when we get older (seriously!), they can show us an example of Christ’s love when we make mistakes (very forgiving when they’re young),  they can help us become more like Jesus through the need for personal growth and they cause us to rely on Christ’s strength and wisdom.  

However, this gift and its blessings are harder to receive with joy if our children end up foolish. Or as Proverbs notes, “a wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother” (15:20). The pain that is felt when children go astray is very wide and deep. While they do have free will, Proverbs also emphasizes that HOW we parent can really impact how they develop and mature. When we invest the time as parents (and as churches) to raise godly children, we benefit many times over.

“Train up a child in the way he should go . . .”, Proverbs 22:6 challenges. Training has many elements. It involves being intentional, hard work, prayer, having a plan and regularly re-evaluating the plan.  Effective training is done through both teaching AND modelling. Finally, such training should include discipline. “Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death” (19:18).  All of this can seem overwhelming, but OUR Father can lead us as we seek to shepherd our children. Praise His Name, as He grants us such precious gifts!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      Reflect on the qualities of young children. What is it about young children that God wants us to imitate? Ask God to develop these qualities in you.

2.      If you have children, ask God to show you how you can grow as a parent (even if your children are adults already). Ask Him to grant you both the wisdom and grace for this huge responsibility. Thank Him for how being a parent has shaped you. If you don’t have children, pray for the parents that you know – that God may give them everything they need. Also ask God – is there any way that I can encourage specific parents or children? 

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 30 - Cautiousness In Speech

READ: Proverbs 16:23, 18:2, 25:15

In the last number of devotionals, we’ve been looking at a variety of aspects of speech. In this final one on the topic, an overarching key will be highlighted. We should be regularly weighing what we say. Throughout Proverbs, cautiousness is emphasized.  Proverbs 16:23 says, “the heart of the wise makes his speech judicious . . .” (16:23). To be “judicious” means to be careful or thoughtful. We should take time to think before we speak. Ever heard that before? There’s a reason it’s a popular saying because it’s at the core of godly speech.

Our goal must not be to simply state what we think! “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (18:2). Oh, the wisdom of listening. Some have transformed their speech by having seasons where they “fast” from words. Some spouses have turned around their communication by deciding to ask what their significant other thinks, rather than simply pouring out their own thoughts.  

Even where we want or need to persuade others, careful speech is the way to go! Or as Proverbs says, “with patience a ruler may be persuaded . . .” (25:15). Cautiousness in speech is a habit to be developed, but we can be encouraged that the goal is possible. Many have done it, with Christ’s help!  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      Take some time to think about your speech – are your words too little or too many? Ask God to show you if you need to make any specific adjustments, in any specific setting.

2.      Is there someone that you need to influence right now, or get a message across to? This can be a good thing, but HOW we do it really matters. Ask God to give you wisdom on the HOW. What words? When? What should you NOT say? (this can be very wise to figure out ahead of time) 

Foundations: Proverbs - Day 29 - Honesty Must Reign

READ: Proverbs 6:16-17, 12:19, 12:22, 17:20, 21:6

The book of Proverbs speaks most harshly about lying, or deception. Lying is actually something God hates, or in the words of Proverbs, “lying lips are an abomination to the LORD . . .” (12:22). This is probably convicting to all of us. As followers of Christ, we must commit to truthfulness in every matter. Every human being has fallen into lying and we must face the challenge of rising up to God’s standard. Perhaps it’s useful for us to ask - why do we lie? 

Sometimes we think we can gain advantages by lying. Maybe we can improve what people think of us, or pry open a door where others will want to be our friends, or give us material items. But no advantage is gained long-term! Instead, “truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment” (12:19). It’s only for a moment that we gain any advantage! Truthfulness has great value long-term and it’s imitating the Truth Himself!

Truthfulness includes the avoidance of exaggeration. For sure, in a joking manner, where people know that we’re not serious, exaggeration has its place – “I feel like I could eat a cow right now!” However, if exaggeration is used to impress or deceive, we have fallen into sin. Thankfully God is SO good at revealing the motives of our hearts! In assessing what lying is we can ask - what is going on in our hearts? Are we trying to manipulate a person’s response?

Truthfulness also involves following through on our promises, or not making promises that we have no intention of keeping. As servants of the ultimate Promise Keeper, we’re called to carefully consider what we commit to AND pay the price of following through.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.      Are you a truthful person and do you keep your promises? Not only is our own name on the line, but also God’s reputation. Spend some time confessing any dishonesty and make a commitment to truthfulness, no matter how hard it’ll be.

2.      Spend some time interceding for an increase in truthfulness in Canada, in all spheres of society. Also pray that more and more people would come to know Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.