Preparation and Motivation (Proverbs 24)

In Proverbs 24 we encounter “more sayings of the wise” which are a follow-up to the thirty sayings of the wise in the previous verses.  In verse 27 we read this:

Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. – Proverbs 24:27

This seems to answer a rhetorical question posed by Jesus in Luke 14:28, where he said:

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it–  Luke 14:28

What Jesus was talking about in this context was counting the cost of serving Him specifically, and in broader terms about planning in general.  We are supposed to have a plan that is well thought out and involves proper motives, good stewardship and is covered in prayer, but our plans need to be subject to change at the Lord’s leading.  As James said, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that”(James 4:15).  The precept in Proverbs 24:27 is that we should go through proper, godly planning where we seek the counsel of God’s word, and of our trusted advisors who have the insight of the Holy Spirit, and then we take steps of faith.

Walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) means that in spite of how things appear, our faith is in Jesus Christ, and it is important to remember that there are two lessons in every decision.  The first is in taking the step of faith, and the second is in dealing with the outcome.  The Lord may either grant us the desires of our heart, or show us that His grace is sufficient for us, and a “negative” outcome (from our perspective) does not necessarily mean He was not calling us to take the step of faith.

Today, let us count the cost of our decision-making, and be motivated by a desire to honor the Lord with every decision, rather than ourselves.  Let us consider our ways so the Lord may be glorified (Haggai 1:7-8).

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

Deceptive Delicacies (Proverbs 23)

The first three verses of Proverbs 23 are one of the “thirty sayings of the wise” referred to in chapter 22:10.  These sayings are distinct teachings that reflect much of the wisdom of the day, but we may rest assured that the source of this wisdom is the Lord.  The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).  All of these characteristics are present in one form or another in the thirty sayings.  Proverbs 23 opens with this:

When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. – Proverbs 23:1-3 NKJV

In this case, the warning is against a deceptive ruler, who means to trap his unsuspecting victims.  To what end…?  Potentially to take advantage of them or lead them into sin, in much the same way the enemy does with us.  The exhortation is to exercise discernment in cases where what we see appears to be good, but may not be. The passage says it is better to put a knife to our throat than to be deceived, and give in to the temptation.

We do not judge by appearance alone.  We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).  This seems to be easier said than done, and it would be were it not for God’s grace.  But, God gives us sufficient grace to do what He has called us to do (1 Timothy 1:12), and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Today, let us walk in wisdom (Colossians 4:5), and exercise discernment when we are presented with things that appear to be good, but may come with hidden consequences.  Let us not be led into temptation, but let us do as Daniel did and purpose in our hearts not to be defiled by the King’s delacacies (Daniel 1:8).

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

Getting Ahead (Proverbs 22)

Dwight L. Moody said:

“If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.”

This sentiment is very true, and agrees with a precept we find in Proverbs 22.  There we read:

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. – Proverbs 22:1 NKJV

First, let us consider what “favor” is important.  While Paul told Timothy that the qualities of church leadership include having a “good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7), it is the favor of the Lord that matters most.  As such, we should try very hard not be offensive, but we should not place too much emphasis on what others think, lest we become “men-pleasers.”  Instead, we should, as Paul explained, serve the Lord with sincerity of heart, fearing God (Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:22).

With that matter clarified, we may now refocus on the main precept of the passage, and that is that riches, gold and silver, are worthless if one sacrifices one’s good name to get them.  As the prophet Habakkuk said, “Woe to him who covets evil gain, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of disaster…!” (Habakkuk 2:9).  Further, Obadiah assured us that “though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” says the Lord (Obadiah 1:4).  It is reasonable, then, to conclude that getting ahead at all costs is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Today, let us not worry about “getting ahead.”  Let us pray for neither poverty nor riches, but to be fed with the food alloted to us (Proverbs 30:8). Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, who made Himself of no reputation, and humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on the cross (Philippians 2:7-8).  Let us be mindful of our conduct, because as DL Moody said, if we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

Lessons Learned (Proverbs 17)

In Proverbs 17 we read:

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool. – Proverbs 17:10

The precept in view here is that a wise man takes heed when he is rebuked, submits himself to God’s word, repents of his behavior and turns from his sinful ways, whereas a fool does not.  This growth and maturation process is called sanctification, and happens by the power of Holy Spirit through the application of God’s word to our lives.  As many commentators are quick to point out, the word “repentance” (Greek: metanoeō) suggests not just an admission of guilt, but change of heart, and turning from sin.

Who, then, is the wise man…?  We read in Psalm 111 that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; [and] a good understanding have all those who do His commandments (Psalm 111:10).  Therefore, we may conclude that a wise man is one who fears the Lord and keeps His commandments.  He is the one who learns from rebuke, and takes it to heart.

The fool, on the other hand, no matter how many times he is corrected, still never seems to learn the lesson.  This is the person who is a slave to sin, and continues to return to it like a dog returning to his own vomit (Proverbs 26:10).  Why does he do this…?  Because he is trying to do so on his own, and from his flesh, without the Holy Spirit.  This is a fruitless exercise because in his flesh, nothing good dwells (Romans 7:18). He may even want to change, but seems powerless to do so, because the desire to please his flesh is more powerful than his desire to change.  It’s no surprise, given that fallen, human nature is to love darkness better than light (John 3:19).

Today, let us be the wise man described in Proverbs 17, rather than the fool. The Lord chastens those He loves, so let us not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when we are rebuked by Him (Hebrews 12:5-6).  Let us humble ourselves, take it to heart and file it under lessons learned.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

No Secrets (Proverbs 15)

It has been said that the character of a man is defined by what he does when no one is watching, but the fact is, there are no secrets from the Lord.  In Proverbs 15 we read:

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. – Proverbs 15:3

When Adam and Eve sinned, and they heard the Lord approaching, they hid themselves, as if the Lord would not see them or know about their sin.  This was of course futile, and Psalm 139 gives some insight as to why.  There we read:

You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. – Psalm 139:2-4

The Psalmist goes on to ask the rhetorical question “Where can I go from Your Spirit…? Or where can I flee from Your presence…?” (Psalm 139:7). The answer is that there is nowhere we can hide from the Lord.  Job told us the eyes [of the Lord] are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps (Job 34:21).   Jeremiah, speaking on the Lord’s behalf, wrote “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes (Jeremiah 16:17).

But there is good news.  2 Chronicles says that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9).  So, just as surly as our sins will find us out (Numbers 32:23), the 2 Chronicles passages tells us that the Lord is eager to demonstrate his power and faithfulness in the lives of those who are loyal to Him.

Today, let us not try to see how much sin we can get away with and hide, but let us be loyal to the Lord who loves us.  Rest assured, there are no secrets from God.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

The Value Of The Word (Proverbs 13)

In addition to being filled with wisdom, Proverbs also gives some outright warnings.  We encounter one of those in chapter 13.  There we read:

He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13

First, let us consider the esteem with which the Lord Himself regards His word.  We read in Psalm 138 that the Lord magnifies His word above His very name (Psalm 138:2).  We also read both Matthew and Luke’s record of Jesus quoting Deuteronomy when He said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Like 4:4).  Therefore, if the Lord values His word above His very name, and it is as important to us as our physical nourishment, then we should hold it in high regard as well.  If we don’t, we may expect the consequences of decision making apart from God’s word, but is that enough to warrant destruction…?

John told us that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2), and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14).  Therefore to despise the word is to despise the Lord Himself, and how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?  (Hebrews 2:3).

Today, let us seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).  Let us seek Him in His word, and in prayer, and in the fellowship and accountability of other believers.  Let us thank Him for His word, and let us keep His commandments, not just to avoid destruction or to obtain a reward, but because we love Him and we desire to please Him (John 14:15).

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved

Right In Our Own Eyes (Proverbs 12)

In Proverbs 12, we come across a passage that can be very convicting, because sadly, many of us have been guilty of it at one point or another.   The passage reads:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. – Proverbs 12:15 NKJV

Many of us have a story where we have charged ahead with our own plans without taking them to the Lord in prayer, or seeking counsel from anyone else.  Sometimes, these things work out, by God’s grace, and other times the results are disastrous.  We humans are very good at rationalizing our own behavior, and building a compelling case to let ourselves off the hook for our sin.  It is reminiscent of the last verse in the book of Judges which says: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25), instead of what is right according to God’s word.

The contrast in Proverbs 12 is the wisdom of those who are willing to receive counsel.  In Psalm 73 we read of God’s promise to guide us with His counsel, and afterwards receive us into glory (Psalm 73:24), and in Psalm 33 we read that the counsel of the Lord stands forever.  Of course, in order to receive counsel we must first humble ourselves.  We read in Psalm 25 that it is the humble that the Lord guides in justice, and the humble that He teaches His way (Psalm 25:9).

Today, let us not do what is right in our own eyes, because when we do we presume to occupy a place only rightfully occupied by God.  God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5), so let us humble ourselves and receive the whole counsel of God’s word (Acts 20:27).

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all right reserved

You Can’t Take It With You (Proverbs 11)

In Proverbs 11, we encounter a passage that we might have heard expressed in the form of another “old adage.”  In this case, the old addage is “You can’t take it with you.”  The passage in Proverbs reads:

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. – Proverbs 11:4 NKJV

The precept is that no matter how much earthly wealth we accumulate before the end of our physical lives, it is insufficient to pay our sin debt.  The only thing capable of paying our sin debt, and thereby save us from death, is the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Matthew records Jesus asking the question “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul…?” (Matthew 16:26)  The hard fact is that when we give an account for our lives, which we every one of us will, the question will not be: “How much wealth did you accumulate…?” the question will be: “Have you been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ…?”  If the answer is yes, then believers are made righteous by that atoning sacrifice, and God’s wrath against our sin is appeased.  If not, we are on our own, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

Today, let us not be consumed by the desire to accumulate wealth.  As Job said, naked came I into this world and naked will I leave it, but the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21).  The only right response for us to a perfect and holy God is submission and obedience.  Our wealth is not enough to appease God’s wrath against our sin, and we can’t take our wealth  with us.  It is the righteousness we receive by the shed blood of Jesus Christ that delivers us from death.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all right reserved

Our Eternal Foundation (Proverbs 10)

In Proverbs ten, we read:

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. – Proverbs 10:25 NKJV

One of the precepts in view here is that adversity is the test of one’s faith, and reveals where that faith lies.  Those still separated from God by sin are referred to as the “wicked” in this context, but the righteous are made that way through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9).  Jesus said Himself that if our faith is in Him, and we live by the precepts of His word, we will have a strong foundation.  Luke records the illustration in his Gospel.  There, we read where Jesus said:

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. “But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” – Luke 6:47-49 NKJV

Jesus assured us that in this world we would have tribulation, but we should have peace and be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Paul also assured us that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will ultimately be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Today, let us not be shaken by the adversity and suffering of this life.  Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  He is the eternal foundation that can withstand any storm life throws at us, and lets us look forward to eternal life in His presence.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved 

Learning By Wisdom (Proverbs 9)

In Proverbs nine we see a continuation of the literary device wherein wisdom is speaking for itself.  In the beginning of the chapter we read:

Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6 NKJV

This is a very simple concept.  Wisdom can prevent all kinds of unnecessary pain and suffering, and we should do our best to make wise decisions.  It has been said that the things we learn from either leave scars on us, or otherwise cost us very dearly.  The fact is, we learn in a number of different ways.  One way is by wisdom, where we make our decisions based upon biblical thinking and the application of biblical precepts.  We seek the counsel of other believers who have the insight of the Holy Spirit, and most importantly, we seek the Lord who is the source of all wisdom.  James said if any of us lacks wisdom, that we should ask of God, who gives to all liberally (James 1:5).

Another way in which we learn is through outcome.  Sometimes the outcome is good, in which case we may thank God for giving us the desire of our hearts.  Other times the outcome is not what we had hoped, in which case God’s grace is sufficient for us, as it was for Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Better to take steps of faith, than steps of foolishness.  James continues by telling us that we must ask for wisdom in faith, with no doubting, otherwise we can expect nothing of God, and we are double minded and unstable in all our ways (James 1:6-8).

Today, let us heed the call of wisdom to follow her and live, and go the way of understanding.  Let us carefully and prayerfully seek the Lord’s will for our lives, taking bold steps of faith that please Him, rather than foolish steps in an attempt to please ourselves.  Let us learn by wisdom, and trust in the Lord for the outcome.

© Written by Tracy Edward Tucker, copyright 2012, all rights reserved