Day 195: Proverbs 10, 11 and 12

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (NIV 1984, Proverbs 11:25).

As a pastor I've preached many funeral services. Thankfully, most of those I've spoken for lived their lives in such a way that it was easy to say good things about them. Unfortunately, a few - by their actions - gave the impression they didn't care what anyone thought or said. What do we want others to say about us after we've gone?

It can be an enlightening exercise to write one's own obituary. My imagined write-up goes something like this: Tim was a fully devoted follower of Christ; a loving husband and the best father a man could be; and a committed and effective pastor. What about yours? But don't stop with your pen or word processor? The trick is to then live a life that makes that self-written obituary fitting and true.

The writers of Proverbs assert that what goes around comes around. Whether it's generosity or greed, kindness or malice, the things we do have a way of coming back, either to benefit us or to haunt us.

Although Jesus was talking about being judgmental when he said, With the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:2), it certainly seems like there are plenty of behaviors to which that would also apply. Wow! It's my choice!

With the measure I use, it will be measured to me. I get to choose. Just a few verses earlier, Proverbs  11:17 reads: Those who are kind benefit themselves.

Every life writes its own obituary. What's your life writing?

Day 194: Proverbs 7, 8 and 9

She seduced him with her smooth talk. (Proverbs 7:21)

Yesterday our theme was weighing the consequences. That's easier said than done. It's not like there's an even playing field. Our tendency is toward evil. It's our path of least resistance. Add to that temptation's powers of persuasion... it can be so seductive.

The question is not: How could anyone be so stupid as to fall for that? But: How could anyone resist? And yet, as Believers, the Apostle Paul makes it clear we should not live like sin is inevitable: You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit (Romans 8:9).

To have any hope of living morally in a hostile and ungodly world, we'd better have a plan. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, offers us this: Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God (Romans 6:11-13).

No, it's not an even playing field, but that doesn't mean we're done for. For sin shall no longer be your master (Romans 6:14).

She seduced him with her smooth talk. One place to start might be, Don't listen! Give the enemy and inch and you'll wake up filled with remorse and wondering, "What happened?"

Sin is a smooth talker. What's your plan?

Day 193: Proverbs 4, 5 and 6

Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? (Proverbs 6:28)

One of the recurring themes of Proverbs is the subject of consequences… the way things can come back to haunt us when we’re not looking. In fact, the writers warn that if we indulge in certain behaviors, we should expect them to backfire on us. Biblical scholars call it retribution theology. Do right and be blessed; do wrong and be cursed (if that sounds like Deuteronomy, that’s because Deuteronomy is where it got its start). This will come up repeatedly in our study of Proverbs because Proverbs is built on the foundation of retribution theology. In this particular proverb, the lesson is about giving in to lust, but it also applies to every situation where the consequences can get the better of us.

And while we’ve learned that being an honorable person is no guarantee that trouble won’t find us (bad things do happen to good people), if we indulge in certain behaviors, aren’t we just asking for it?

If I dig a pit, doesn’t it serve me right if I fall in? If I tease a barking dog, should it come as any surprise when I get bitten? If I walk on hot coals, shouldn’t I expect to get burned?

And if I open the door to sexual temptation, why would I play the victim card when I get caught? A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself (v. 32).

Are you playing with fire in any part of your life?

Day 192: Proverbs 1, 2 and 3

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)

Jesus said: Do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12). There were lots of similar teachings from Jewish rabbis and even from other religions, but they were always posed in the negative. Rabbi Hillel said: What is hateful to yourself, do to no other. Confucius put it like this: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. In Greece, Epictetus stated: What you avoid suffering yourselves, seek not to inflict upon others. [1]

William Barclay points out that there is a big difference between withholding harm and doing good. The priest and the Levite did no harm to the mugging victim on the Jericho road, but they didn’t help him either. Only the Samaritan offered first aid, transported him to the hospital and paid his bill (Luke 10:25-37).

Anyone can refrain from doing wrong to others, but to go out of our way to help someone? That’s the difference that Christ brings to our lives and our world.

Who needs your help this week?

[1] William Barclay, Matthew, “The Daily Study Bible,” rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975), 273f.

Day 191: Psalms 146, 147, 148, 149 and 150

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11)

How do we measure success? In recent days, we have mourned the passing of several highly regarded celebrities. News of their accomplishments, awards and opulent Iifestyles fill checkout aisle weeklies and TV gossip magazines. It seems clear that our society has embraced the philosophy, He who dies with the most toys wins.

In America, success is measured by looks, prestige, bank accounts, sex appeal, credit scores, possessions, position, power, influence, fame, academic degrees, accomplishments and the like.

Who would have guessed God's formula for measuring the same could be so simple? He delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

God’s definition of success has nothing to do with our typically shallow way of looking at life. Rather, real success is being written in the lives of people who honor God, and who put their faith and hope in him.

How does your life tell the story of success?

Day 190: Psalms 141, 142, 143, 144 and 145

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil. (Psalm 141:4)

In The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus instructs his disciples to pray, Lead us not into temptation (v. 13). This is a confusing thing for us to be asked because we know God does not tempt us. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:13,14). Also, it is unrealistic to ask that we never be tempted, for everyone faces temptation.

New Testament scholars Douglas Hare and John Stott help us understand what this prayer is asking. Hare asserts that what we really mean is this: Give us strength to resist temptation. [1] And Stott says verse 13 might better be interpreted: Do not allow us to be so led into temptation that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from the evil one. [2]

David knew we don’t need anyone to tempt us. As the title of Tyler Perry’s 2009 film states: I Can Do Bad All by Myself. We don’t need anyone’s help to get into trouble, but we sure need God’s help to avoid it. It seems like David would agree.

What temptation is enticing you this week?

[1] Douglas R. A. Hare, Matthew, “Interpretation – A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: John Knox, 1993), 70.

[2] John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon On the Mount (Downers Grove: IVP, 1978), 150.

Day 189: Psalms 137, 138, 139 and 140

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23,24)

The writer of Psalm 139 affirms his devotion to God and his enmity with those who scheme against God. It may be that he himself has been wrongfully accused, the focus of gossip and innuendo or even an illegitimate investigation.

First he explores God’s all encompassing presence. Where can I go that you cannot find me? Where can I run that you can’t get there first? Then he reflects on the creative act and how well-known he is to his Maker. You know me better than I know myself.

Perhaps the gist of his prayer is this: God, you formed me; you’ve known me from the start. You’ve seen my actions and the motives behind them. You know the accusations against me. I need to know if I have any culpability in this situation. Search me, try me; see if there be any wicked way in me, so I can confess my sin to you and find the path to life everlasting.

When’s the last time you asked God to shine his spotlight on the hidden places of your life?