June 22–Proverbs 2-6

“My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them to your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you”(6:20-22).

The Bible teaches parental responsibility for the upbringing of children. Religious and moral instruction is a task given to every parent by God. Foolish are those who leave it for a later time when the child can “choose for himself”. “It is not my responsibility to get you into Harvard,” says a recent Facebook meme. “It IS my responsibility to get you into Heaven.”

Patiently, forcefully, using both instruction and discipline (see Ephesians 6:4 with its emphasis on the father’s role in this process) both parents are to impress wisdom on the developing mind and heart. “I have chosen Abraham, so that he may command (italics mine) his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,” says the Lord in Genesis 18:19.

The stakes are high! Righteousness is profitable. Sin is equally destructive! We do our children GREAT GOOD by teaching them the character and nature of a holy God. In the same way, children are commanded to accept and retain the lessons of godly parents. As with our relationship to God, only those who “have ears” will learn and profit.

Love and respect for parents prepares us to love Christ well. Sitting at the feet of Jesus (attentive, open, hungry for instruction, see Luke 10), comes easier to a child who has practiced the posture and attitude of humility with godly parents. Of course, a parent must be worthy of respect. No parent can instruct his child in holy living if he, himself, is a stranger to it.

Friend, as you pray today for your children and grandchildren, will you hear the Lord’s call to the task of instruction and moral training? Will you stand strong against the enemy’s accusation of your inadequacy? The Great One calls you! Trust Him and obey!

“You cannot control your children, you say? Then the Lord have mercy on you! It is your business to do it, and you must do it, or else you will soon find they will control you. No one knows what judgment will come from God upon those who allow sin in children to go unrebuked” (Charles Spurgeon).

“I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. . .that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ”(2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15).

June 21–Psalm 147-Proverbs 1

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”(Proverbs 1:7).

We don’t. In our self-focused, self-confident flesh, none of us grasps this wisdom. Fear of the Lord is NOT our first principle. It is NOT where we begin.

Like Eve, our starting place is self. FOMO (fear of missing out), or fear of pain, or fear of rejection, drives us. Proud people, we crave control and credit and comfort, rather than Christ. These are our first values. Self is where we begin.

When God, in grace, calls us to repent (meta noia, “to think again, re-think”), He invites us to the original relationship with Himself. He intends a return to a new “first fact”. God is! God is true beauty! God is true value! Our rights and needs are not first. HIS rights, HIS glory are. In repentance we called to rebuild life on a foundation of respect and fear for God. “Start here!” says the Holy One.

Some people say that grace removes the danger of judgement. I don’t believe it. “No condemnation” does not mean “no consequences”. Note God’s posture toward those who reject His instruction in v. 28-29. Grace is a gift that freely reconciles us to God through the work of Christ. It does not, however, change the road that He intends us to walk, nor the consequences if we refuse. The fear of God’s discipline is a healthy place to stand.

If “PRAISE the Lord!” (150:6) is the last and lingering lesson of the book of Psalms. “FEAR the Lord,” is the first lesson of the book of Proverbs.

What would life be if my first thought every day was His approval, His glory? What if, by grace, I came to a deep humility before Him? A reverence before His power? A fear of His discipline? “It would be the beginning of wisdom,” says Proverbs.

“The church. . .enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit”(Acts 9:31).

“Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due Thee?”(Psalm 90:11).

June 20–Psalm 140-146

“My enemy has persecuted my soul. . .therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart is appalled within me. . .Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground”(143:3-4,10).

Psalm 143 was written in a painful season of life. The superscription credits the song to David. Did he write these words during his years running from Saul? During the disappointment and danger of Absalom? We cannot know the particulars, but we all understand the feelings expressed.

All of us have days when we feel overwhelmed. Days when problems and enemies seem so much larger than our strength. Very common for us to be appalled (v. 4, Hebrew, samem, to be stunned). With off-balanced soul, David felt like giving up. Similar to Paul in 2 Corinthians. “I despaired even of life.” I have known such days, dear friend. Have you?

Late in the psalm, David asks for the pain/problem to be removed. But the main petition of his prayer, and the shining example for us, is something much higher. “Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning. . .teach me the way that I should walk” he says in v. 8. “Teach me to do Your will,” he says in v. 10. Wisely, David sets a goal higher than his own self-fulfillment or happiness!

Trust, not ease, is the noble narrative of human life. Even when life hurts, the main agenda, and the most profound victory, is not relief, but obedience.

Friend, when life is hard will you pray David’s prayer?

“The silence of God is not the silence of indifference. It is the silence of higher thoughts” (Helmut Thielicke).

“Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys”(C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters).

“What if the circumstances you are asking God to change are the very circumstances God is using to change you?”(Mark Batterson).

“He learned obedience through the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

June 19–Psalm 133-139

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me. . .you are intimately acquainted with all my ways. . .O that you would slay the wicked, O God. . .Search me, O God and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me”(139:1,3,19,23-24).

God knows me. He has always known me. Before I was born. Wherever I go. He is intimately (what a marvelous word!) acquainted with all my ways.

Sin convinces me to hide (Adam in the bushes). It is pointless to do so. I am NOT hidden from Him. He sees and understands me. I may be a puzzle to myself, but not to Him.

What should I DO with such an overwhelming fact? How should God’s people respond to a patiently-observant, ever-present God? David guides our answer in Psalm 139.

God’s attentive care should set my opposition to the world. “Do I not hate those who hate You?”(v 21). Believers are called to stand against the world in the same measure the world resists God. As believers, we often feel the world’s opposition to us. Less often we recognize the true center. Natural men resist God.

With great loyalty and courage, He calls for God to come in judgement. See Revelation 6:10 for a similar prayer. Spurgeon said, “David was a good hater, for he only hated those who hated good. . .to hate a man for his own sake, or for any evil done to us, would be wrong; but to hate a man because he is the foe of all goodness and the enemy of righteousness is nothing less than an obligation.” God’s children must never be complacent or neutral in this cosmic conflict. We are called to courage and strength. See Joshua 1.

God’s attentive care should open my heart to MORE of His presence and influence. Humbly aware of his own sins, David prayed for God’s involvement in every area of his life. Search me. Know me. Test me. God’s tender mercies created in David a hunger for intimacy and honesty. Rather than hide his sins, or make excuses, David opened his heart fully to God. He invited God’s evaluation and correction.

Friend, today, will you consider God’s attentive care in your life? His faithful friendship? His complete and patient awareness of you over many years? Will you respond to His care with courage toward His enemies, and with a hunger for deeper intimacy?

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).

June 18–Psalm 120-132

“Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain”(127:1).

It is strangely sad to see Solomon’s name on this psalm. (See ascription in your Bible.) His later life was a tragic contrast to the wisdom expressed in his written words. The last years for this great king were marked with vanity, regret, and lack of fulfillment.

Warning! It is easy for us to know more than we live. Solomon could have prevented much heartache by heeding his own words. Same for us. “You who teach others, do you teach yourself?” says Romans 2.

Self-reliance is a mistake, says Solomon. When God is on the edges of life, rather than the center, efforts are in vain. The first task (and greatest wisdom) of every human is to know God and walk in partnership with Him. We are called into conscious cooperation with Him and His plans.

For years, I was blind to this truth. I thought submission was doing all that He told me, but ALSO setting and guarding “my own” goals. I viewed myself as, in some sense, independent of Him. I didn’t see that my highest privilege and deepest satisfaction was in “taking His yoke.” Union! My life joined to His! His purposes, mine! Just as oneness is the goal of marriage, so in religion. I don’t need my own identity, I am included in His. “My father is working, and so am I,” said the Lord.

A century ago, a familiar plaque was often seen in English homes. It is the motto of Edinburgh, Scotland. “Nisi Dominus Frustra,” (Without the Lord, frustration).

Independent action is not true wisdom. Union with God is our best goal and highest success. His purpose and presence our only joy. His achievements our only glory. “Unless the Lord build the house. . .”

“If a sparrow cannot fall to the earth without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” (Ben Franklin, in a speech to the Continental Congress).

“I pray that they may be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

June 17–Psalm 119:57-176

“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word”(119:147-148).

In VBS, my grandchildren learn memory verses. I wonder why we don’t urge the same practice on adults.

In Psalm 119, the writer points to a beneficial use of memorized Biblical words. He meditates on the ideas of Scripture. He “chews” on the words until they yield Spiritual nutrition. The Hebrew word in v. 148 is siyach (see’ akh), “to say or sing words as a means of deeper consideration or reflection.”

Similar idea in Joshua 1:8. “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it (hagah, “to utter, mutter or muse”) day and night.” The ancients knew that to say something out loud, to repeat it, to sing it, provides powerful help in concentration and deeper learning.

Friendship with God is not a pursuit that can be rushed. Those who want to walk with God must take time with His revelation and demands. Note how the writer looks forward to moments when life gets quiet, providing time to think and pray and meditate. See v. 148, above.

“If you continue in My word then you are truly disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” said our Lord. Short bursts of Spiritual attention are insufficient. Continued pursuit is His plan.

Are you busy today, my friend? Too busy to wait on God’s word? “Those who love Thy law have great peace,” says v. 165. Will you choose one part of today’s reading? Say it out loud! Again and again until it seeps into your soul! Meditate and wait on His word!

“Slow and steady wins the race” (Aesop).

“Long-term consistency trumps short-term intensity” (Bruce Lee).

“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”(Matthew 4:4).

June 16—Psalm 116-119:56

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me”(119:18-19).

It is a gradual shift for some. A dramatic crisis for others. In every salvation story, there comes a point where the soul turns. We are converted. (Greek, strepho, “to turn”). Revolutionary! Life-giving moment! The soul turns away from self and the world to focus on God.

Psalm 119 is a testimony of a converted (turned) person who happily lives and rests and serves in this new perspective. Please note the use of the first person in this Psalm. “I shall give thanks to you with uprightness of heart,” v. 7. “I wait for your word,” v. 114. He is not describing how all people live. He is giving us his unique testimony as a convert.

The convert has a new identity. He is no longer validated by the approval of the world, or overly discouraged by its disapproval. His meaning and assignments come from Heaven. “You are not of this world,” said Jesus to His disciples.

The convert has a new focus. “Your word have I treasured in my heart,” says this person on a journey in v. 11. “I will meditate on your precepts” (v. 15). The steady message of Psalm 119 is the value and beauty of God’s word. Like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, converted people desire to hear and do God’s will.

The convert experiences new energy. “Your word has revived me,” he says in v. 50. The common experience of every Christ-follower is to find correction and energy and encouragement in God’s word. “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke Scripture to us?” said the disciples in Luke 24.

Those who claim Christ without this inward turn deceive themselves. In our thoughts, in our affections, in our hopes and loyalties, a new direction is required. Friend, are you converted?

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Jesus, Matthew 18:3).

“The Master has called us, in life’s early morning, with spirits as fresh as the dew on the sod: we turn from the world, with its smiles and its scorning, to cast in our lot with the people of God” (Sarah Doudney).

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is no other”(Isaiah 45:22).

June 15–Psalm 108-115

“The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet’ “(Psalm 110:1).

It was a supernatural event. A vision. One day, in the Spirit, David was allowed to “listen” to a conversation between God the Father and God the Son. Years later, Jesus quoted this psalm (see Matthew 22:44). It is another reminder of our Lord’s confidence in Scripture, His deep dedication to its truthfulness.

This Psalm prophesies the ascension of Jesus. After the resurrection, Jesus was lifted up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father in glory. David “heard” the Father invite the Son to sit in this place of honor.

This Psalm prophesies the eternal priesthood of Christ. Jesus is our High Priest. See v. 4. Like Melchizedek (Genesis 14), Jesus received this office by divine election. This being so, there is no term limit for Christ’s assignment! No beginning. No end. “He ever lives to make intercession, ” says Hebrews 7:22.

This Psalm predicts the resistance of the world. God and His Christ have many enemies. See Psalm 2. Men across the globe refuse the rule of Christ. True always. True in this present hour.

This Psalm predicts the happy, voluntary service of the church. See v. 3. Willing sons and soldiers. Like glistening drops of dew. We are small individually, but the aggregate army of God makes a HUGE impact on the dry, dusty world!

This Psalm prophesies the coming victory of Christ. God’s patience does not equal tolerance. Ultimately, in the wisdom and timing of the Father, the Lord, Himself, will return to judge the nations with great force and moral beauty. See v. 6. Every knee will bow. All resistance will be subdued.

At the end, Jesus will prop his feet on a stool. Vivid picture! The belligerence of men will be so completely conquered it will constitute a FOOTSTOOL for Christ. Sometimes I forget how calm the Father is. How unchallenged by the opposition of men. He is certain of coming victory. We should be, as well.

Dear one, what would life be if you could embrace this certain expectation of victory coming? What steps could you take to receive this confidence deeper into your soul?

“We exult in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

June 14–Psalm 106-107

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary”(Psalm 107:1-2).

In God’s salvation plan, our WITNESS is an essential factor. Those who have experienced the help of God are obligated to TELL the story.

In Psalm 107, the Psalmist calls us to give thanks to the Lord. He has particular sensitivity to the witness value of public praise. God listens to our thanks. So do lost men.

In Acts 10, when Cornelius (a gentile) sought the Lord in prayer, an angel came and instructed Cornelius to send for Peter. Why didn’t the angel just tell the gospel to Cornelius? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient to skip the middle man? The answer is God has reserved the privilege of telling the gospel for us who have benefited from it. As we tell others, we become His partners in this gracious work.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” says v. 2. Those who have been lost, and then found, should give thanks. Vs. 4-8. Those who have been prisoners, and then set free, should give thanks. Vs. 10-16. Those who have been sick, now well, should tell His works. Vs. 17-22. Those who have been storm-tossed, now rescued, should praise Him. Vs. 23-32.

There are many ways to organize life. Many “foundations” upon which to build. The wise man builds his life on the goodness of God and adopts this theme as the center of his communication to others.

Friend, will you give thanks today? Will you settle in your own heart that He is good? He is pure, unmixed kindness and justice! Will you tell others?

“But how can they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?”(Romans 10:14).

“E’r since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die” (William Cowper).

June 13–Psalm 103-105

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name”(103:1).

Is there anything in the world sweeter than a grateful child? Anything less lovely than an ungrateful one? Parents delight to give, and the joy is ten times greater when the receiving child is grateful.

I listened recently to Holly (my wife) as she coached Elliot (our first granddaughter) to say “thank you”. She repeated the lesson many times during our day together. A stranger’s compliment. A gift from her parents. At several moments, with great patience, Mimi helped Elliot recognize when a “thank you” was both necessary and lovely.

More than etiquette. David knew gratitude as a gift to God and a safeguard for his soul. In Psalm 103, he coached himself toward gratitude and praise. It is not something that comes naturally to the carnal man.

In honest self-talk, David roused his soul to shake off apathy and gloom and entitlement. The Hebrew word for bless is barak. It means, “to kneel in worship and affection and loyalty.”

Will you kneel, today, friend? Will you acknowledge your great and good God? Will you give thanks for His salvation mercies? Will you declare your love for His patience and generosity? Will you bless the Lord?

“When you’re up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams, and your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes; and you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fears, don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear. Praise the Lord! He will work through those who praise Him. Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise. Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you, when you praise”(Russ Taff).

“For they are without excuse, for even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks” (Romans 1:20-21).