So, as I'm going through Proverbs during the month of May, I won't post a full blown blog about every chapter, but some may warrant more than just a simple Facebook post.
Proverbs Chapter 3 is one. I may be a bit biased, but Proverbs is my favorite book in the the Bible because it's the most day-to-day useful in terms of practical application. Even non-believers can appreciate much of the insight this book offers, even if they can't see it's true wisdom (see chapter one for an explanation there. :) )
Instead of more rambling, I'll just dig in:
3:3-4
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
That first part is a hammer.
This is a messed up day and age where we're all out to get ours and if, in the process of daily life, we can extend an olive branch, the best of us might... as long as it doesn't inconvenience us. Life has a way of wrenching the general 'good' out of people. There is a blessing to naivete, but that inherently makes us vulnerable to those who would take advantage. So, how do we proceed? How do we stay gentle and merciful while also not getting walked on?
The quickest example of this is driving in traffic. Remember when you first got your license and it really wasn't a big deal if someone cut you off. Or snuck in front of you. Giving the right of way to someone who didn't have it really wasn't a big deal. You'll get where your going soon enough. Life was good. (If this DOESN'T apply to you, then just work with me here...)
Fast forward 25 years and you see someone scooching up the shoulder hoping to merge into your lane when you've patiently (?) sat there, waiting your turn. How quickly does that horn, finger, voice and/or blood pressure (no Oxford comma!) raise now?
Or you're at the mall at Christmas while you and another car eyeball the same parking spot. "Not this time, punk. This one's MINE." So you punch it with a grimace on your face and twisted pride in your heart that you got it! "Sucka!!!"
Life changes us over time. We become less merciful because we're living the rat race and dadgummit, that parking lot is the cheese!
Where we used to think of others if not first, then at least equally, has morphed into a less violent version of the Hunger Games.
Mercy isn't even part of the equation.
Which brings me to my next point here. To show mercy infers that we hold some kind of power to give it. So, by that inference, we hold more power than we realize. It's not always easy. Heck, if it were, I doubt it would be included as something to hold onto. But, while this verse can be dissected many ways, the simplest, most practical I can see is this: Be nice.
If it's in your power to show mercy, show it. Don't get walked on, but sometimes the strongest most immovable people can also be the most merciful.
3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path.
One of my favorite Bible verses. I won't write so much about this one except this one point:
I try to look at situations in life through a God-view. "In all your ways" is a loaded statement. When I don't have an answer to how to view something in this life, I use what I feel is God's point of view as the litmus test. Maybe I'm wrong some. Maybe I'm right some. But, I do what I can to acknowledge God's sovereignty and control, even when I don't understand it.
That way? I'm trusting that while I don't know it all, He is directing and opening up a path for me, nonetheless.
3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.
I doubt this is referencing physical health, although I guess in the right instance, it could. But, this one hits me square in the nose.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes."
Have you caught the name of my blog? Is the irony there setting in? Accidental Genius?
While the origins of my blog name may be its own blog topic at some point, I've been known to be a bit haughty. Trust me, it's more tears of a clown, but if you don't really know me, you wouldn't know this. While there is a deeper meaning to this, I think this verse, on the surface, directs us to humility. Meekness is not weakness. But, again, this world we live in tries to wring all that out of us like a wash rag after doing the dishes.
On a deeper level, I think this tells us that wisdom doesn't come from ourselves, so don't get too big for your britches, mister!
3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Better not let that heretic Joel Osteen see this... oh wait, it's obvious he has and has twisted it like a soft pretzel. This verse does not lay the groundwork for those 'Prosperity Gospel' preachers.
When you honor someone, you humbly acknowledge them and lift them up. God wants our best, not our leftovers. He doesn't want the unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag. He wants the buttered top. Not because he needs it, but if we're willing to give Him that, then our honoring Him actually means something. And He'll bless us for that. (see Malachi 3:10... the only verse I'm aware of in the entire Bible where God challenges us to test Him.)
I'll admit... this one is HARRRRRRD for me to do. I'm not good at it. I give enough of my money away. Or time. Sometimes I just want to relax after a long days work and not 'do'. But, EVERY time I've given of myself or have been faithful financially, I've been blessed. Sometimes I just get the feel-goods because I did what's right. Sometimes I've been blessed in tangible ways. But, I also trust Matthew 6:19-21 in that not all our blessings will be earthly. Or I say I trust in it. I at least know I SHOULD, therefore I know it's true... it's just a matter of taking the next step and actually DOING it.
3:11-12
Short version: God loves you. Part of that love means He will rebuke and correct us. It hurts, but be thankful because it's validation of His love. Once He stops 'correcting you', be very scared. It may just mean He's leaving you to your own devices. And that's never good.
3:13-18
This passage basically says wisdom is better than riches and those who recognize this will experience happiness and blessing.
What I find interesting here is the comparison to silver, gold, rubies and financial gain. Wisdom is better than these things. Why? How? Who wouldn't rather be a rich fool than a wise idiot? At least you can have fun and worry about things other than how bills are going to be paid, right?!
Well, in the famous words of Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation... it's the gift that keeps on giving!
Silver, gold, rubies, money... they all have finite value. Once expended, their value is not only gone... but transferred to someone else to enjoy. So it's a double sting in that you no longer have it and someone else does!
Wisdom? It's yours. It's a blessing that never ends. And... you can (and should) share it. It multiplies in value instead of recedes.
Don't be so narrow-minded and tunnel-focused to overlook the real value Godly wisdom brings.
3:22-23
Basically: If you let God's wisdom direct you, life will be a simpler, safer, less drama-filled journey because you haven't stepped where God hasn't directed you. Don't mistake simple, safe or drama-free as absolutes. At all.
But, so often we put ourselves in stupid situations because we are acting unwisely.
Do you keep finding yourself dating the same kind of scumbag? Choose more wisely.
Do you constantly find yourself in arguments with your friend(s)? Choose more wisely.
Do you root for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins? Choose more wisely. :)
Bottom line is if we allow wisdom to be a driving force in our decision-making and relationship building, our odds of stepping through that minefield will be greatly enhanced.
3:24-26
Somewhat of an extension of the prior verses, wisdom offers a sense of peace to our decision-making process. If you've acted wisely, regardless of the situation (or even outcome), you can sleep easy knowing you made the right choice. It may not always work out perfectly. Wisdom isn't some cosmic override button to the difficulties of life. But, even logically speaking, if you 'play it smart', more times than not, you'll come out on top. And knowing that just makes for an easier night of sleep each night because you did what's right. The results are beyond your control.
Perfect example...
Poker. Poker is a game of probably and statistics. At its core, it's a mathematical game of how to act given the cards in front of you. Every hand can be a winner. Every hand can be a loser. But it depends on how the board plays out.
If you were playing poker heads up against another person and you were dealt pocket aces (AA) while your opponent was dealt pocket 9s, you would have an 81.31% chance to win.
This means you have an 18.69% chance to lose. Those are good odds.
But you CAN still lose. And anyone who has played poker will tell you... getting your aces cracked feels like it happens a heck of a lot more often than 18.69%!
It's a somewhat flawed analogy because wisdom isn't bound to mathematical probability. But the point remains... if you operate your life wisely, you're more likely to see good fortune more times than those who don't.
3:27-30
Be good to each other. Don't be a douche. He's your ace-in-the-hole. He WILL bless you for treating others well.
Just don't start assigning the method of how those blessings should be received. Know that God has your back. :)
3:34-35
Sure He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Oh man, I could write about this one all day.
I'll give you the abridged version: God loves humility. He will bless humility. If you're looking out for number-1, be sure you're number-2. (Stop giggling...)
Don't be the fool who thinks they have it all figured out. Who knows all the answers. Who equates insight with wisdom. Who thinks meekness is weakness. Who prefers logic over faith. Who seeks personal glory over Godly glory. Who rejects wisdom in lieu of personal glory.
If you do... at the end of the day, your legacy will be shame. Maybe in this world. Maybe in the next. Maybe both. And the scary part is, if you're this one, you won't believe it's coming anyway.
Don't be that guy. Life is hard enough without making it harder on ourselves.
It's unwise.
