So, we will pause for a moment from Proverbs to say Thank you Lord for Annabella Grace Barba, born yesterday.  What a wondrous and gracious miracle—life.  Chosen, formed by your mighty hand as a gift to your humble servants—Alberto and Lindsey as an expression of their love first for you and their love for each other. 

Psalm 127: ³ Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 139: “¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee….¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Isaiah 44 (ASV) ²³ Sing, O ye heavens, for Jehovah hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein …²⁴ Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth

Listen to this beautiful song written and sung by Kristyn Getty A Mother’s Prayer

American Standard Version (ASV)

Copyright © 1901 by Public Domain

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As we inch forward in Proverbs I find that there is so much richness in each word—so much wisdom that it is hard to move very quickly.  Chapter 3 continues Solomon’s exhortations to his sons; but, so clearly it is the loving Heavenly Father’s gentle exhortation to each and every one of us.  Let us look upon the verses as we go.

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:” Obedience to God is a matter of the heart and He knows that.  Outwardly at times we stumble; but God knows our hearts.  He also knows that if we write the His words upon our hearts, we will be transformed from the inside out.  Our choices will change, our decisions will be guided by our hearts of love for Him.  No amount of outward attempts at obedience without it coming from the heart can last. The promise for obeying with our hearts is “2 For length of days, and long life, and peace will be added to thee.”  Ah, a life of peace; isn’t that what we long for in this chaotic world?  Peace that steadies the heart.  A heart that is bent upon keeping God’s commandments is a heart that is filled with peace; knowing and trusting in God’s perfect plan.

Proverbs 3: 3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:”

Mercy and truth—written upon our hearts by the Spirit of the living God (2 Corinthians 3:3).  Wrap yourself in the truth of God’s mercy until you are bound tightly by it.  Here it says about your neck like a collar that leads you—guides you.  When you are so tightly bound by mercy and truth; your anger, self-centered, selfish behaviors are harnessed as well.  Thus, the promise that follows is 4: “So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”  When your pride-filled, self exalting heart is harnessed by the truth of your own unworthiness and God’s mercy toward you; a gentle, patient, loving spirit will emerge which will gain favor with God and with mankind.  Others will come to see Christ through you.

Well, for today I must keep it short….there is a big surprise I can disclose tomorrow.  Let these truths sink deep within your heart and savor the sweetness of them, while listening to Matt Redman singing “Mercy”

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In the last part of chapter one we saw that Solomon’s writings had begun to turn toward teaching his “sons”; he began this with a warning against following after greed and foolish counsel. In chapter two, his tone of voice turns to a loving plead just as God pleads with us His children to seek Him.

Proverbs 2: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;² So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

Immediately after clearly stating the harsh warnings of chapter one regarding the consequences of following after sin; he now has turned to gently pleading that “if we seek God (who is wisdom) as our greatest treasure and if our greatest desire is to know Him” then He will give us wisdom and discernment. 

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.

God becomes the “protector” of our righteousness.  He will be the “buckler”—the small round shield which is whirled by God to protect us from all the evil darts that will be thrown at us throughout the day.  As we seek Him, God promises to be the one to guide every decision of our life.

Seek Him and He will guide your path.  With that comes peace and joy in life.  Sitting at His feet, yearning just to be near Him and in His presence; clinging to every word that comes from Him is where we need to be so that we can go out and face the decisions without fear.  This is what Proverbs 2: 7-22 reminds us.

God will guide each step if you seek Him.  When your heart is seeking Him, then

Continue reading TIDBITS OF WISDOM—A STUDY IN PROVERBS (Part 3) A FATHER’S LOVE →

As Solomon’s words continue in Chapter one of Proverbs, he begins with instructions at home for his own children.  The warnings he gives them are warning which will ring true throughout the years of their lives.  For all those blessed with Godly parents, he has advised the youth to cling tightly to the truths taught.  He reminds them to wear these truths as an ornament of protection about their necks as reminders when temptations would come.  This of course is figurative, but it is like a chain from which one can be pulled back from temptations door.  Here as we noted yesterday—he began by saying that revering the Lord was the beginning of wisdom, now he admonishes us to remember the counsel of our parents as well.  I must say I remember the wisdom of my father more now than ever before in my life and the bible teaching of my mother always drawing me back to the right path.  After reminding us to heed the counsel of our family, Solomon then presents his first of many warnings to come.  “10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”  When others come to entice you to join them, don’t go…Just say no.  Notice though, he uses the word entice and he warns against even “hanging out” with them.  This is a warning to young people to be careful of who your friends are; but, it goes further to being a warning as you read through versus 7-19 of being careful who you go into business with and who you choose as friends or counselors throughout your lifetime.

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

Beware of “get rich quick” schemes and of business practices which go for the “gold” without taking the time to weigh the cost.  Do not let yourself be enticed by others to sin, no matter how innocent they may seem.

Continue reading Tidbits of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs—Part 2 Flee Enticements, Cling tight to Truth, and Listen to God’s Wisdom →

I must confess that Proverbs for me has always been one of the books of the Bible that I have listened to parts in sermons, have read here and there; yet, have never attempted to study it.  Perhaps we should embark on at least a simple journey through this book filled with wise admonitions, instructions on living, and thought provoking discussions regarding the advantages of seeking wisdom in life.  Indeed, if we desire to be prudent and wise in our decision making; we might learn a great deal from the book of proverbs.  This is a book which gathered together little tidbits of Wisdom from Solomon himself, from wise words he had heard, and from other wise men of the day.  This is different than the words of the law.  It is also different than the gospel.  It is merely words of wisdom to help guide us to be discerning in our day to day living and demonstrate a practicality toward our decision making.

Why would we want to study the book of Proverbs?  Perhaps to begin with we need to consider from whom came the wisdom—God.  Who better to guide us in the day to day choices we make.  Look what was said of the proverbs of Solomon.

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.

1 Kings 4: “²⁹ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

³⁰ And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ For he was wiser than all men…and his fame was in all nations round about. ³² And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five…. ³⁴ And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.”

If we go to the beginning of proverbs, the purpose for the gathering of the proverbs and the purpose for studying them are outlined into these 6 reasons.

Continue reading Tidbits of Wisdom (A Study in Proverbs) Part 1 →