Solomon had great wisdom from God, but he did not always follow what he knew to be right. He tells us where following instruction will put us. “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17) None of us want to be one of those he is talking about who lead others astray. We can all look back and see people who have been influences in our lives, both good and…
Our actions are guided by what is on our mind. Daily study and focus on God’s Word is the best guide for a Christian life. “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:1-3) Prioritizing spiritual thoughts over material thoughts will keep us on the path to an eternal home with…
Normally when we travel there is a particular destination that we are headed toward. Without that destination to focus on, we would just be traveling aimlessly forever. Solomon tells us how our daily walk should be focused. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27)…
We know how Solomon was given great knowledge and wisdom from God. He shares with us where knowledge starts. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) The fear he is talking about here does not mean to be scared, but to give God the reverence and honor that He deserves. If we have this kind of attitude toward our Heavenly Father, the love for Him will show in our desire to…
Have you ever sung the song that includes the words “Jesus, Rose of Sharon” and wondered where that phrase came from? The only place “rose of Sharon” is found in the Bible is here in Song of Solomon. “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” (Song of Solomon 2:1) Apologetics Press has a good article on the topic here: https://apologeticspress.org/jesusrose-of-sharon-3351/ Today’s reading: Song of Solomon 1-8
As Christians we are not promised a life without suffering, but we are promised to be rewarded for being His disciples. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) The writer of Psalm 77 also reminds us that the greatness of God and His blessings toward us outweigh any of that suffering of this life. “And I said, “This is my anguish; But…
After Solomon had been made king, God appeared to him in a dream and said “Ask what I shall give you.” (3:5) Solomon did not ask for selfish things like riches or a long life. “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9) Solomon’s request pleased God so much that He gave Solomon what he had asked for and…
In the longest chapter of the Bible, the Psalmist asks a question and then promptly gives us the best answer. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalms 119:9) His advice works for not just young men, but everyone who follows it. Later he makes another famous statement about God’s word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105) Isaiah tells us that we do not have…
No matter how bad things might have gotten for David thru his life, whether self inflicted or not, he always came back to his source of strength and saving power. “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.” (Psalms 37:39) No matter what may happen in our lives, the Lord is there for us also. We just have to bring our burdens to Him. “Cast your burden on the LORD, and…
There are many beatitudes found in the book of Psalms. “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalms 112:1) God’s commandments are something we should be happy to follow. In the first Psalm we read that in addition to delighting in God’s word, we should also meditate on it. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in…