This is one of my favorite Proverbs because of its incredible use of images. This one is meant to be read slow with deep reflection. Close your eyes and picture what Solomon is teaching us through the gazelle, ant, villain, loaf of bread, and angry husband. When those images are implanted in our minds, God uses them to motivate us for righteousness and warn us of evil.
If you’ve never taken Financial Peace University, I highly recommend it. Dave Ramsey has a great explanation of verse 5 in the video on dumping debt. You’ll never look at a gazelle the same again. O that our country would live verses 6-8 again. We used to live like the ant. We used to store savings at harvest for the leaner times that were sure to come. I pray it doesn’t take another Great Depression to teach us to do so again. I’ve always been fascinated by the list of things that God hates. Does the list surprise you? Is there anything missing from the list that you thought should have been there?
Because I know so many men, and even women, who struggle with pornography, verse 25 is especially poignant. It’s easy to be captivated with the fantasy world of internet porn. Verse 26 and following bring us back to the truth of reality. It’s not a free ride. There is a price to be paid. We can’t scoop fire into our lap and not be burned (another great image or rather a painful one, ouch). If you struggle in any area of sexual addiction, please don’t struggle alone. You will not beat it alone. There are people at GC who have been there and can help you overcome. There is software that can protect you and your family from going there. I know, it’s shameful and embarrassing. But not near as shameful as being reduced to a “loaf of bread.”
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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2 comments:
This is a great proverb. It covers so much ground and awakens us to reality. Sometimes we need a good reality check and reminder of the consequences of unwise choices.
I agree with you Troy. We don't save like we used to, like the ant. There's another problem as well. The problem is, many of us never stopped working like the ant. We're not lazy, we're just misguided. We slave away for money we're just going to burn up chasing the Jones', rather than saving and preparing for hard times (we have easy debt credit cards for that now.) I highly recommend FPU as a reality check. It is helping us get off this treadmill and get some financial peace.
I also recommend Covenant Eyes for those who want to protect themselves and their family from Internet porn: www.covenanteyes.com
Pastor Troy,
Thank you for taking time to provide this special way to encourage us to be in the Word DAILY. You mentioned “Financial Peace University,” and I thought I’d give it another plug. I haven’t taken the course, but my daughters and their husbands have all taken it. I have seen it be a huge blessing in their lives. They have peace as they are heading towards “financial peace.” God has always used our children to impart wisdom in our lives, but as they get older it’s been overwhelming! We’re looking forward to taking the class ourselves (another good reason to pray that God brings Vic, my husband, to NC soon). May God bless you with wisdom for the day – Cindy Bliss
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