23:4b - ...do not trust your own cleverness. - I have suffered from this many times. Instead of going to God for the answer, I will trust in my own cleverness. Even the seemingly right answer may not be God's answer. It is better to ask God than to try to reason it out yourself. In my own life right now I am seeking God for some answers and so I have decided to go on a fast. Leading up to the fast I have seen some pretty neat answers, almost enough to make me think I don't need to fast. In reality, I still need to seek God's answer. Either He will confirm what I have come to or He will show me how they seem right, but aren't. I need to follow through with the fast instead of relying on my own cleverness. It removes the doubt, guessing and pride.
23:12 - Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
23:13-14 - Some people have an issue with corporal (physical) discipline. But, when it is done carefully and from a place of love, the bible calls us to it.
23:17-18 - Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. - We have to keep our eyes on the right Person. It is easy to see the way the world is living and begin to want that. We want what they have with possessions, vacations, free time, etc, but their is no future hope for them. The Bible says their reward is this life. We have a future hope and so we need to keep our eyes fixed on what is coming and not just what is in front of us.
23:21 - for drunkards and gluttons become poor and drowsiness clothes them in rags. - I think it is interesting that God puts drunkenness and gluttony side by side. Many of us are not drunkards, but our gluttony (eating and consuming too much or more than we need or more than is healthy) is just as bad. Think about how you look and feel about a drunk. Are you any different? I heard of a great living example I want to try at The Oasis. You call the congregation to eat only rice and beans for one whole week as a way of helping people see if they can keep their peace, joy, focus without their favorite foods. I bet most of us would be shocked at how much value we place in food.
24:3-4 - By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. - I love this verse. your house, and the house of believers you are a part of, will be filled not through luck or cleverness, but through wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
24:10 - If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength. - I can see that my strength has been small. Regardless of the outcome, when my frustration gets in front of my faith my strength is small.
24:16 - for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. - We will always rise again as long as we walk in righteousness.
24:25 - But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.
24:27 - Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. - I take this to mean that we need to prepare the seed for harvest before we worry about other things. Always focus on what needs to be started earliest and what can produce fruit on its own as well.
Love you,
Michael
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