In Deep Water

For Friday, January 19, 2007
Proverbs 20:5

The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.

I suppose every counselor knows this verse by heart. But the skill is not reserved for professional counselors. It is for anyone with understanding - understanding of what?

Understanding biblical teaching about the human heart. That it is sinful and deceptive even to the the owner of the heart. That even the redeemed heart will have vestiges of sin which will inflict the owner until he is received into glory. That, nevertheless, all individuals are created in the image of God and receive a measure of God's common grace, so that as wicked as they may be, they also possess great potential for creative, intelligent, even kind acts.

Understanding biblical teaching about the struggle against the flesh, the world, and the devil. All three are at play tugging at an individual's heart. Every decision he makes is either a giving in or a standing against one or all of these three.

Understanding the ways individuals have developed to protect their hearts from being examined by others and even themselves - the defenses they put up, the masks they wear, the rationalizing they do, and so on. It is understanding their fears, what motivates them, what arouses them and discourages them.

It is understanding one's own heart and what one needs to do to patiently listen, to love the other person, to let down one's own defenses and be attentive.

A man of understanding is like a good fisherman fishing in deep water. He quietly, patiently, and knowledgeably casts his line and waits.

Empty Harvest

For Thursday, January 18, 2007
Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

The sluggard does not plow in the time when the cold begins because, well, it is cold. No season is a good time for him to plow. Either it is too cold or too hot; too dry or too wet. And if the weather is ever right, then it is too nice a day to work!

The odd thing about the sluggard is that he still expects to find a harvest. He is surprised to find no fruit from his non-labor. He was sure he had plowed or that someone else had done it for him. He certainly thought about plowing and intended to get around to it.

And yet all his intentions serve no purpose. All his hoping that someone else would do the work has resulted in nothing. He may seek, but he will not find; for he sought the fruit of no work. And as sure as this sluggardly example is repeated over and again through the years, so it is repeated at the end of many lives when souls seek the heavenly reward that does not exist. All the reasons for not studying the Word of life; all the excuses for not laboring for heavenly fruit will do the seeker of a harvest no good.

In truth, God will brand all who did not have time for the gospel, who did not have time to find the truth as sluggards. For it is not intellectual honesty nor scientific inquiry that keeps a person from the turth. Rather it is the laziness of the soul that is content with the ease of not living for God that keeps the field unplowed and the harvest empty.

Of Quarreling and Strife

For Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Proverbs 20:3

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.

To a fool it is dishonor to walk away from a fight. It is shameful to "back down." The fool believes he is protecting his dignity to respond to every perceived slight. The fool believes that he must correct every perceived error; that he must argue every point. He is quick to debate in any setting and with anyone (all for the sake of "truth"). If others are offended by his behavior, it is because they are hypocrites who don't want to hear the truth; they are cowards who won't take a stand, who are too fearful to speak up or fight for their name.

And yet, what they are really demonstrating is their own folly and arrogance. Whether it is the street thug who is quick to pick a fist fight or the intellectual quick to pick a verbal debate, what each reveals is that he is a fool.

It is not only practical to keep from strife; it is not only counted as wise to avoid arguing and fighting when possible; it is honorable to do so. What is being brought ought here is not the willingness to take a stand for what is right, but avoiding unnecessary strife. It is knowing when to speak and when not to. It is knowing what is and what is not appropriate to say. It is knowing when to walk away and when to remain.

In reality the fool will be quarreling because he likes strife; he likes to offend. The honorable person engages in a fight or a debate only for the purpose of winning over an opponent or protecting others. He stands up for justice because he truly cares about justice, not because he likes to make an impression of being for justice.

It gets back to the difference between pride and humility. The goal of the proud fool is to fit an image that he thinks is noteworthy; the goal of the humble wise is to do what is right and honorable before the Lord. Thus the fool will be seen by God for what he is and the wise person will be held up in honor by the Lord.

Provoking to Anger

For Tuesday, January 16, 2006
Proverbs 20:2

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

This proverb is giving warning to those subject to another's power. Just as the person with power should take heed not to be provoked, so the person under their power need to exercise proper wisdom not to provoke. Many persons have lost jobs, they claim because of principle, but in truth because their pride was hurt or they simple would not do their jobs. See how unreasonable their bosses are! Students may be given "one last" warning to come to class on time or turn in homework and they fail to do so. They are surprised by the anger of the teacher or principal. Even Christians are guilty of such behavior, excusing themselves by claiming religious persecution.

And so it is with many people in their attitude towards God. They hear warning after warning about provoking God's wrath, and they ignore or even mock the very warnings. Like the student who ignores the principal's warning and continues his ways, or the worker who keeps trying to get away without working, they believe they can continue to go their own ways.

But God will not be mocked. His judgment will come. Therefore, pray for such persons. Pray that they will receive such mercy has to hear and heed the warnings of judgment. Pray that their eyes will be open to their sin that provokes. And pray that we will witness through our lives good fear of our God that shows a love that is wondrous precisely because of his powerful wrath. What wondrous love is this that God the Son would forfeit his own life and receive such anger.