Proverbs – Be Still…

Proverbs 31:10-31 – Is it Super Woman or Wonder Woman?

I have always loved this passage. It empowers women, yet we can feel treasured all at the same time. I remember the first time I read it. I wasn’t feeling particularly glamorous or smart. My energy was low, and I doubted every move I made. I was recovering from a broken marriage, and the scars of abuse were still raging red. I felt as if God’s message here was for just for me. It was encouraging. It was a healing moment. Could I ever be that woman?

I hope you haven’t gone through something horrific like that, and whether you are a woman or man, these verses should speak to you. There is such beauty in the images that come to mind. The style of writing and depth of meaning seem totally out of character with what we have been reading in the rest of the book of Proverbs. Yet this is wisdom, pure gold. That much is the same. How are you relating to yourself or to the women in your life?

Proverbs 31:1-9 – Speak Up!

Read Proverbs 31:1-9

This is good advice from a loving mother to her son, the king. She wants for him to succeed, and her message is meant to help him. Even though we’re not kings, we can glean some wisdom from this as well. Verse 8 spoke to my core, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” There are so many less fortunate people in this world, but my thoughts also go to the children whose voice is often muffled and overlooked.

We shouldn’t just focus on serving the rich and successful. Everyone deserves justice. God’s mercy is extended to all. Why do we think we should handle things differently? Think about this — who is depending on you?

Proverbs 30:20-33 – Small Yet Mighty & Wise

Read Proverbs 30:20-33

It would be easy to have the misconception that to be wise we need to be big and powerful. Solomon was king after all. God granted him all kinds of wisdom to share. But today’s verses 24-25 remind us we can learn a lot from the smallest of God’s creations. “There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.” The reading goes on to also list Hyraxes (like a robust guinea pig), Locusts, and Lizards. Great examples, but I’m going to focus in on the ants because I have some personal experience with those.

This list is comprised of what some would consider pests. How often have we tried to get rid of them, be disgusted by them, or maybe even feared them? When we really study these creatures, we are humbled. God made these small little beasts with built in wisdom that can really surprise us. If God can give them such wisdom, think what he has done for us?

Proverbs 30:11-19 – Beyond Comprehension

Read Proverbs 30:11-19

Look around your little corner of the world today. Don’t just glance, really look. What do you see? You see God’s intricate creation that he loves. Is there anything that stops you in your tracks? Maybe an exquisite sunrise (or sunset for those of us who don’t see the sunrise anymore), flowering trees, your pet’s adoring gaze, children laughing. Beauty and blessing are all around us.

In our text today, there are 3, no 4, things that have struck our writer with awe. In verses 18 and 19 we read, “There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.” It’s beyond our ability to truly grasp the mysteries here. How do we respond to God’s design in his creation? We can simply sit back, humbled and admire God’s wisdom, remembering we, too, are part of this creation.

Proverbs 30:1-10 – God’s Word is True

Read Proverbs 30:1-10

There are so many messages bombarding us these days. It used to be there was the newspaper, the evening news, and a magazine or two. With the internet and social media, it seems we can’t escape someone trying to tell us something every second of the day. We hear these days about “fake” news. We know we can’t “believe everything we read.” So, what can we do? There is freedom when you can unplug and just be still in God’s presence. You can hear so much more.

Today in my stillness, I can hear the wind rustling in the trees, birds chirping, car horns in the distance, a dog barking (not mine), and a rooster cock-a-doodle-doing (they do that here in Mexico it seems at every hour of the day)! In my quiet time, I have God’s word. As verse 5 and 6 says, “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” I don’t need to worry about fake news. I can trust God and his word.