I’ve been working through the Proverbs this summer in my morning bible reading and have been struck at how a common sense of things jumps from the pages. When I read the Proverbs a sense fills me — I’m reading words showing me the way life is meant to be lived. There’s a gut feeling in reading the Proverbs that what I’m reading is really good stuff – the best stuff for life.
Now to be clear, I’m not saying the way to read the Bible is to read the books and chapters which move us in our gut. I believe all parts of the Bible to be the very Word of God – and whether they move us in the gut or not are truth and life to me. Yet, the Proverbs is one of those books that ‘rings true’ in a common sense way. Here’s an example:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
Who hasn’t carelessly blurted a “harsh word” to a friend or spouse and experienced the typical result — anger from the one receiving it! It is common sense that a harsh word leads to anger. But then there are times in the midst of a heated moment with a friend or spouse you find yourself in control of your emotions offering a ‘gentle answer’. What happens? Typically the tense moment is defused. This is the way it almost always works. There is a common sense to this truth, the way life works. Reading through the Proverbs there are many that speak of controlling our emotions and tongue as we live in relationships. There is a part of me that knows this is true, and how things are to be … or better put, the way God made things to be. Read through the following Proverbs and see if you don’t say to yourself: “Of course, it’s common sense.”
“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Proverbs 13:10)
“An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” (Proverbs 24:26)
“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17)
“He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)
“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)
I should add, not all the Proverbs have a common sense to them. Many are statements from our Lord not common to us at all but revealing truths only He can reveal. Here are a few:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22)
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Good words! God’s Words! God’s way for me!
My summer reading of the Proverbs has been like receiving a breath of fresh air and as a wind at my back pushing me forward and onward to life is it is meant to be lived. I’ve enjoyed and been inspired by my summer reading of the Proverbs as I continue to work through the final chapters.
Pastor Mark
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