Proverbs!

Text:

‘These are the proverbs of Solomon. He was the son of David and the king of Israel’ – Proverbs 1:1 New International Reader’s Version

Thought:

Found in the middle of the Bible, immediately after the Book of Psalms, is the Book of Proverbs. Just as many of the psalms were written by King David, so the majority of these proverbs were written by King Solomon, David’s son. They came from the gift of wisdom God gave him. ¹

Unfortunately, although Solomon knew the Word of God, he didn’t maintain a close relationship with Him and departed from the faith later on in his life. The idolatrous influences of his many wives and concubines were the cause of his spiritual downfall. ²

The main difference between Solomon and David was that David stayed loyal to God throughout his life. Even when he sinned, God was the first one he turned to when he repented. ³

So the challenge to us all for 2016 is this. It’s not enough to know the word of God. We need to know personally the God of the word. The goal is to be like David, a worshipper, a man after God’s own heart. ⁴

• So how can Proverbs help us to do this?

Like the Book of James, Proverbs is very practical and down to earth. It is where the rubber meets the road! It reveals the consequences of right and wrong actions.

Tommy Cooper’s classic joke can help us. “”Doctor, my arm hurts when I move it like this” Doctor replies, “Well don’t move it!”” Many times life hurts because we say and do the wrong thing, even as a Christian. Proverbs says, “Don‘t do it!” That way you can avoid getting hurt and hurting others.

• It’s possible to change and improve our quality of life by starting to do the right thing

The thought for this Today’s Teaching came from reading, ‘A soft answer turns away wrath.’ ⁵ I have a tendency, particularly with Jenny, to raise my voice when angry or frustrated. Many times I do not realise I am doing it until I am reminded! I remember asking for directions when on holiday in Tenerife. When the person said he didn’t understand, I told him again in a louder voice! He replied, “No need to raise your voice” and then proceeded to get someone who could help me.

So this Proverb is one of my New Year resolutions, to ensure my response is a soft one, not one that adds fuel to the fire. I love this proverb, ‘It is honourable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.’ ⁶

This mirrors the challenge found in the Book of James concerning the tongue. The person who is able to control their tongue is a mature believer. ⁷

John Osteen who pastored Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas developed an effective routine. Every day at 12 noon, wherever he was he would stop what he was doing. He would then read five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs. That way he would read both books through each month.

As you read through Proverbs, you too will discover areas in your life you need to change. Right actions will bring about the intended harvest for, ‘We reap what we sow.’ ⁸ It might be hard going at first, but do not stop until you achieve the results you desire. Remember too, God is there alongside, ready to lend a helping hand.

‘Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your eyes,                        O Lord, my Rock and the One Who saves me.’ ⁹

 

1 – 1 Kings 3:1-12                  2 – 1 Kings 11:1-4                  3 – 2 Samuel 12:1-20

4 – Acts 13:22                         5 – Proverbs 15:1                    6 – Proverbs 20:3                                            7 – James 3:1-12              8 – Galatians 6:7                     9 – Psalm 19:13-14 NLV