Sonshine's Journal

Solomon is king and his lifestyle provides that evidence. He took seven years to build the temple and as glorious as it was, his own home took thirteen years to build. True it seems that Solomon built the temple first and his own home after. It seems that Solomon saw the temple and thought, I can do one better and so he made his own home more grand and more opulent than the temple. What does that tell us about his character? It certainly does not show humility! 

Like many today that offer a pittance to cover the costs of the church yet spend over and above their budgets on lavish vacations and even second homes. Solomon is a picture of today’s rich whose heart is not for God but for themselves. 

What does your lifestyle reveal about your heart? 

In the NT we read that the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of scripture: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 

As we stop on our journey through the books of the OT, we come across the events in life of Israel under King Solomon. A king of a different nation had this note: “Because the Lord loves His people, He has made you king over them.” But, King Huram did not stop there:  He continued his praise saying:  “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who will build a house for the Lord and a royal palace for himself. That alone is a marvelous testimony to the life of David as well as an encouragement to Solomon who has the task of planning and executing the Temple for the Lord.  

What task has God given to you through your deceased parent? I cannot remember anything my parents said to me about my life now, however, it was early on in my teen years as my father took me took me to work, he reminded me of what my life was to be later by saying do not do but do. Although the words were harsh about a certain person and an example. That truth kept me from making many mistakes later. I thank God for these memories. How about you?  

As we read these chapters in Proverbs, we must first stop and realize these are wise sayings from the Lord but He has also given men the right to make choices. Some make wise choices and others do not. The NET notes gives us an explanation to recall and apply here:

“A proverb is a literary device whereby a general truth is brought to bear on a specific situation. Many of the proverbs are not absolute guarantees for they express truths that are necessarily conditioned by prevailing circumstances.” 

That means there is a general truth but they are not absolutes as this the NET Bible author notes. We feel the pain of those parents that face unruly children no matter how much disciplinary actions are given. It is with great sadness when a parent faces these decisions but we must remember that each person since time began is given the right to make choices. Some will choose wisely and others choose foolishly. That is the purpose of this verse: to show us the blessings and consequences for the choices we make.

If you are a parent of a child/children that continually bring shame to you,remember that choices are given so that men may realize that each choice is a blessing or a consequence. Keep your eyes on the Lord in times that are challenging and keep praying for these children. God honors the prayers of the righteous and if you are in that category, God hears and He will respond. 

As we wander through the OT, we come to stories of victory of the Israelites as they conquered foes and finally came to the Promised Land that God had set aside for them. This psalm reflects that event: “vs 4: He picked out for us a special land to be a source of pride for Jacob, whom he loves. (Selah)” Over and over God promised His children, whom He had chosen, a land of milk and honey. God had set aside this land but it did not come with instant victory but  a land that they conquered through His hand. He always called it the land of milk and honey and the spies saw that and experienced it…but…only Joshua and Caleb were blessed to live there. It was their faithfulness and belief in a mighty God that they were given this promise in their lifetimes. 

God has promised you and I many blessings that He has specifically picked out for us and the reason is given: because He loves us! He loved us so much that He sent His Son for us. What blessing can you recall as His gift to you just because He loves you?  

As a wise observer of life, Solomon noted this truth: “The Lord has worked everything for his own ends—even the wicked for the day of disaster.“ One of the arguments of those who deny God use this verse to claim why God is not trustworthy. Yet even though this is a hard saying and many misconstrue its true meaning, the biblical scholar of long ago said this about this verse: “. “He does not make the wicked or ungodly man; but when man has made himself such, even then God bears with him. But if he repent not, when the measure of his iniquity is filled up, he shall fall under the wrath of God his Maker.” (Clarke)

God is righteous and just. He does not “make” anyone be or do what is unrighteousness. Men make choices and this one of those that will have to face the result of their choice which is hell when they meet God face to face. Notice that God does not make men do this but if they choose, He will work to bring about their chosen destiny.  Notice what Clarke said: if men choose not to repent then they shall face what God has prescribed for those who are wicked. So, the question then is this; why does God choose to do this? It is because He is just and He cannot abide in or have anything to do with sin. 

Beware of putting words in the mouth of God about destinies. God is the author of both life and death. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy to choose life! What have you chosen this day concerning your destiny? 

King David has spent his life honoring God but it seems like many of us, his testimony of his faithfulness has fallen upon deaf ears. Many wonder how long he will live and it seems like they want his death more than his life. Yet, David has this to anchor him: vs8 “I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts.” No matter the echoes of those who are against him, he remains faithful and his desire is not to please men but God. Is this true for us? Is this our desire or do we allow the taunts and thoughts of others sway us from our life’s direction? One preacher told me once: do not allow the thoughts and words of others determine your life’s direction. You remain steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord. 

Again, David reminds himself and God in vs 9 “I have told the great assembly about your justice. Look, I spare no words.” How often do we speak of His faithfulness just as David. What are you yearning to hear,  the praise from men or God? 

This psalm is a good reminder that what we say or how we live before others is not what God desires. It is that no matter what the world says, our aim is to please God and serve Him with our whole heart as well as testifying to others of God’s ways and blessings. 

So today, as you move about your day, stop and consider what your life’s aim is to be? 

Solomon speaks with wise counsel: “In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.”  The contrast is clear. If you want blessings untold, then you must be righteous and that means you must give yourself to God 100%. As I watch this world spin out of control, I see the truth of this verse. Over and over we read about the end of those who choose the opposite of what God intended. Our news is filled with the events of those who reject the simple ways of righteousness. Truly the verse in 2 Cor is so very true: the god of this world has blinded the mind and because of that they cannot see the truth of who Messiah is nor do they desire Him. In reading the book of Acts we see this in living color when Paul stands before Felix and he turns wisdom away thinking money is the answer to releasing Paul. We see it today as our young people and even some middle age people follow the ways of the enemy to their destruction. They are too busy, they are searching for peace only to find war. 

The longer I read this book, the more I am convinced that the troubles of men are because they are seeking peace through any means but God. How foolish! Today slow down and read these chapters with that thought in mind. Are you spinning your wheels to gain what you cannot keep was the theme Jim Elliott wrote and he believed it 100%. How about you? 

The Proverbs author is reflecting to his son about his life as a child. He begins: “When I was a son to my father, a tender, only child before my mother, he taught me, and he said to me:” Sometimes when our children ask us about our life as a child as they are, they are not really interested and scoff. They say, oh, Dad, you already told me this time and time. Be assured you can rehearse these words as they are the wise counsel for each child over and over again.  This is likely why Solomon wrote this and preserved it for future generations.  

Solomon’s wise counsel: Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! 
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. And again, Solomon said: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.  

Today, if you are still in parenting mode, and that never really ends, consider these words of wisdom to share. And Solomon added one more reason; The years of your life will be many. Today consider this passage as wise counsel for you as a parent and you children.  

God came to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he desired. Noted: he did not ask for wealth but for wisdom and discernment for this reason: he could then guide and rule the people correctly. The psalmist recorded: O God, grant the king the ability to make just decisions. Grant the king’s son the ability to make fair decisions. This is a prayer we ought to pray for our children today. May they be wise and judge with righteousness. 

A second thought: Solomon ruled all the “kingdoms” from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines. It wasn’t the peoples but the kingdoms. Just as today there are several kingdoms but many rulers, then it was so. Yet, God gave Solomon wisdom and discernment to rule those who were God’s people as well as those who were not. 

What would our world look like today if we prayed for wisdom and discernment for those who rule kingdoms? A thought to ponder. 

The one who recorded this psalm was what we call a “forward thinking” man. He observed people, governments and the educated as well as the uneducated.  As part of his observation over a period of time, he came to some conclusions that will help us navigate life in light of eternity. He noted that men come and men go but their legacy is always before them and others. Those who are wise show certain characteristics as well as those who are simple. Both reveal their hearts toward God and man and then leaves the reader to implement his suggestions so they too could determine their destiny in light of eternity.

For example: The psalmist writes: Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed. Do not envy evildoers. For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants. James reminded his readers of this same principle. “But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation because he will pass away like a wildflowerin the meadow. For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.”[James 1:10-12] And that my friend is why we should do as the psalmist says in sharp contrast: “Trust in the Lord and do what is right.Settle in the land and maintain your integrity” [ Ps 37:3]

The scriptures are so clear that we should never wonder how one can be wise! 

These words from the Holy Spirit are here to “teach us, reprove us, correct us and train us in righteousness.” [2 Tim 3:16]