Do you find it interesting how much time is spent on checking the air pressure in the tires? That guy or gal seems to have the gauge in every time I turn around. There are small adjustments made throughout the day or night trying to get the exact right air pressure for the car to perform at it’s best level.
Well, in our Christian walk and life we too should be checking the gauges and especially our mouth, heart and fear of the LORD. Let’s study on…
Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
This is a great teaching to instill in our young ones. Going to Facebook is not the place for answers. Nova and TV are not going to give you truth on creation or history. How do our kiddos react to being taught and/or being disciplined? We get the word reproved from ‘yakach’ which carries the meaning convict or correct.
Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
Don’t those people that are always smiling bug you? How can they be that happy? They can’t be? They are hiding something. I hear that as I smile a lot. There are times I am just trying to make an impact by smiling. Often I am just thinking of the things to come – Heaven! Or the blessings of the family. Or the wonders of God. Look at the other side of the person that has always got the frown on their face. I often walk by and have two thoughts, a) sad that life is so bad and hard on this person but b) I pray that the person will see the hope and truth there is in Jesus. The saying “smile Jesus loves you” really is a great one.
Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
Hey, listen up, [with the snap of fingers loudly in the mic]. That is what one of my instructors did when he wanted us to really get something. Oh, and he had a booming voice too so all sleepers were abruptly awakenedJ.
As I read this verse I think of God saying, “I know I am repeating this teaching, but I want to get your attention, your full attention and more than your attention, I want you to obey and live this. If we look at what you and I seek what would we conclude? Are you really, intentional, obediently seeking God and His knowledge or more so folly? We know how we want to be seen but what is really there when God searches our heart? What does He find? What does He uncover? Stop and really think about that and if you are led to confess and repent that is a good thing not a bad thing.
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
As I sit here and think and pray through what to say here I think how we can look at the rich and see they are not all that godly and in some cases violate all of God’s law. So they are rich, they eat great feasts, they have the “big” things but if you dig past that, what is found? Most of the time there is crisis, there is empty life, there is a need that will come out. Often as they are being sent to court, jail or the hospital. Do you think God would say this and not mean it? NOT A CHANCE! What God says He means. Look at the last part of this verse. It really is a distinguishing mark of the Christian, the smile and cheerful heart.
Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Do you remember the verse on the fear of the LORD? How often do you think about the fear of the LORD? How often do you deliberately look at this truth? I do find the word “little” interesting. Why would God accept a “little” fear of the LORD? As to not get confused I dug and the root word (ma at) is most often figuratively used to compare (see Psalm 37:16 Proverbs 16:8). God is still saying “love the LORD your God with ALL of your heart, soul, strength, mind (Dt 6:5; Mark 12:30)”.
Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd