Faithful on Fridays Blog

Israel experienced the most peaceful and prosperous time in her history when Solomon reigned, therefore, God’s people listened to his wise words. His desire was for them to rule and reign in everyday life, mashal, maintaining a kingdom of shalom. That’s what God wants for us as well.

He began Chapter 25 with an inside look at governmental leaders. He wrote from experience giving us insight into national leadership. Since we’re not on that platform how practical are his words for us? Answer: prayer. We use verses 1-7 to help us pray for our President and his advisors on any level. That our President has a righteous heart, whoever he is, should be at the top of our list as well as removing any advisors who are wicked. 

Jesus stressed humility:

Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14:10-11 NLT

Humility in prayer says to God, “You made the final decision on the election, whether I agree with it or not, and I’ll be obedient to pray for my leaders with humility.”

Check out Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Tim. 2:1-4 and see how Paul agreed wholeheartedly with this chapter from Proverbs and our call to pray for government leaders including a clear mind and healthy body, humility when listening to influencers, and purging of the wicked from his presence.

Solomon went on to target a warning for court cases (Pv. 25:7b-10); Paul took it to a new level in 1 Cor. 6:1-8 as he also warned believers about lawsuits. 

Our discussion of words gains momentum in this chapter (vs. 11-20): pleasant words, soft words, lying words, backbiting words, and arguing words. Ouch.

Entering Chapter 26 leads us into a plethora negative warnings for foolish behavior. Remember, fools are defined in scripture as stupid, ungodly, and insensitive. They hate knowledge, have no understanding, and delight in causing annoyance, irritation, and malicious behavior. Fools are reckless and delight in destroying someone’s reputation. Be on guard.

Every verse of this chapter, as well as chapter 27:1-5, give descriptions, using many metaphors (like or as), to help us recognize foolish behavior in our own hearts but also a fool in our presence. Learning to walk in the higher life, Jesus called it the Kingdom of God, means that we humbly analyze our words and actions toward others, repent when they’re not in alignment with scripture, and receive His transforming forgiveness and empowerment to live more like Him. Shouldn’t that be the goal of a believer in Jesus Christ; to look and sound more like Him? Watch your words and pray for your leaders: that’s golden (25:11).

Care for Your Soul

I spend almost half of my year in Arizona and it doesn’t take long to realize that I need water all day long. I don’t sit down and drink 8 glasses of water and say, “OK, done for the day.” No, I drink continuously throughout the day. My body needs it; I crave it. That’s the lower story. The deep places of the spirit and the soul also get thirsty, not natural water but for God: the upper story.

O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1 NLT

How do you define soul? The Hebrew language defines this mysterious word: nephesh. It begins with our breath of life but also includes our heart, desires, and even our mind. It’s our total existence that’s driven by our will. We know David understood the concept of the soul as he wrote Psalm 63 from the desert, giving us this profound image.

When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek the word soul became psukee. This word (where we get psyche) also includes our will, emotions, personality, and mind, therefore, our soul drives our behavior and attitudes. Can you see where I’m going? When the soul is not renewed every day our motivations can lead to impure behavior. Our attitudes take a fall and we don’t know why we’re depressed, hopeless, fearful … we haven’t taken care of our inner life, our soul.

When we spend time with God, seeking Him, we nourish our soul. The thirst is quenched and the hunger is satisfied. I can’t see it, I can’t explain it, but I do experience it. My entire person, my core, is filled: it only takes time and will.

Paul, being a religious leader, also understood the soul, nephesh: our life in God. He encouraged us to renew our mind (part of the soul) and to have the mind of  Christ. Paul desired believers to understand God through Christ, to think the way He thinks and have His attitudes and opinions. How often does my mind lead me in the wrong direction, even into sin, because I haven’t spent quality time with Him being transformed.

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things. Psalm 107:9 ESV

I am praying for you, dear reader, to respond to His call and nourish your whole being. May your will drive you to know God better through His Word,  seek Him with all your nephesh, all your heart, soul, mind, and strength: your whole self. May you have the attitude of the bride in the Song of Songs who was continuously seeking the face of the One ‘whom my soul loves,‘ and Mary the mother of Christ who declared:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46, 47 ESV

They got it.

While writing these proverbs Solomon was in the prime of life and undoubtedly anticipating Rehoboam inheriting the throne. What wise words does a father give to impact his children’s life?

Understanding worldly dangers, Solomon wrote in Chapter 23:19-35 that outside influences will effect our family and clearly wrote words of warning for us. Keep in mind that these words may have been Solomon’s but more importantly, they are God’s prophetic words to us today.

What Christian parent doesn’t want his children to walk in the ways of the Lord? Solomon tells us to ‘direct our heart in the way’, in other words, make good decisions that impact your family. He immediately hits alcohol and food abuse along with respecting your parent’s guidance and finally sexual immorality of all kinds. What had he observed in his family that caused him to dedicate so many strong warnings to these issues?

It occurred to me that it’s no different for us today as parents and grandparents. We may include any addiction, even exercise or technology, when it controls your daily life. God wants His Spirit to control you, not outside influences, so He beckons you,

My child, give Me your heart.

What alliances do you see in yourself? How about your kids or grandkids? These warnings are given to help us mashal in life, rule and reign in victory, and the outcomes are clear when we have a slave master and not a Savior. 

What can you expect from alcohol addiction? Verses 29-35 show us emotional pain, broken hearts, fighting, complaining, and physical problems. God is warning us that drunkenness is like a venom keeping you from seeing clearly and using words that become ugly. That’s not mashal: that’s slavery. He closes this discussion with a prediction,

When shall I awake? I must have another drink. Point received.

Chapter 24 is a new topic, thankfully, that warns our family of evil people; they’re obvious since we see the fruit of their lives. They’re called schemers, scoffers, wicked, and fools being the polar opposite of the righteous. Our families are to be built, stone by stone, with wisdom and understanding, strength and might, and wise guidance. Now, to be clear, the righteous and the wicked may fall (vs. 16) but we, followers of Christ, will rise again and continue our life of victory. 

Solomon closed this chapter with words of warning for everyday life, even employment. There’s warning of retaliation against injustice but trusting God will show your godly character. His observations of those who didn’t patiently work hard with integrity reaped a reward of poverty. 

Solomon’s later life shows that he didn’t follow God’s warnings but, nevertheless, God’s truth remains and always gets to the heart of the matter where true freedom exists. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts where He remains on high alert when we face temptations and need power to live in righteousness. His love for us never fails.

Psalm 145:4-7

Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power. I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor and Your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness. Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about Your righteousness. Psalms 145:4-7 NLT

Giving your opinion is something everyone loves to do, whether you’re asked for it or not! King David is making a proclamation to give your opinion, your recommendation, about God. Think for a moment about our Savior and what the Bible tells us about Him: His mighty acts. You know, before the foundation of the world there was activity in heaven. God was working out a plan of rescue for those who would trust Him. Mighty acts, miraculous works, awesome deeds, wonderful goodness; that’s how David described what God had done. From creation to re-creation God had chosen a people for Himself to whom He showed His glorious splendor in many miraculous ways. Recounting those stories benefits our children and shows them your opinion of God. His kingly majesty, His imposing character, His supreme greatness, and His divine authority gives you, your children, or grandchildren a sense of trust that no matter how the outward circumstances may look, God is in control.

This magnificent God of ours promises to be there for you through thick and thin, good times and bad, and He can be trusted. That’s why we aggrandize Him, we magnify Him, and we recommend Him to our families. We remember what He’s done in the past and reassure our kids and ourselves that He’s the same God, never changing, and what He did then, He can still do. If Jesus calmed raging waters in the lower story then He’s able to calm any storm in your life the upper story. Join King David as you meditate on the goodness of God in the uncertain times of your life.

It’s easy to get the mindset that you’re in control and can get yourself out of any trouble you’re in but the truth for a believer is that it’s the power of God in you that you should rely on. 

For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:29 ESV 

Did you notice it’s His energy, not yours, and it’s His power working, not yours? Stop striving, trying to solve your problems, and ask God to work. Let your children see and hear you trusting God. Declare His greatness, read those awesome stories, and explain how He’s worked in your life and watch the peace and joy of God overtake your family. I know there’s reason for fear in our world today but God is greater than any terror in the world and His strength is in you.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NLT

The book of Proverbs is all about ruling and reigning in life, mashal, with chapters 22-23 clearly highlighting the central role of the heart. 

My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:19 

How do we Biblically define the heart? It’s not the organ but it’s the ‘hidden man’, ‘inner man’, or our soul. Interestingly, our heart can be right or wrong, pure or hard, full of faith or doubt, near or far from God, but it’s also the center of who we are. 

Our desires (whether helpful or harmful), emotions, motives, and passions all dwell in our heart, therefore, we know it’s crucial to kingdom living. It’s the place of our conscience, where choices are made, secrets are kept, and pride or humility dwells: It’s what makes you tick.

Solomon thought it was important:

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right. Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.

My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways.

Proverbs 23:12, 15-17, 19, 26 

The intentions of the heart are known by God but can be changed when examined and submitted to Him. 

… but to please God who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4b

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3 

Have you ever thought of yourself as a letter from Jesus to others? Your emotions about current issues, your moral character, basically your core directs people to or away from God. He already knows what’s in your heart today, do you want to change it’s direction? Do you want to walk in more faith and trust? Check your heart because it holds memories that may need to be purged, thoughts that should to be purified, or heaviness that can be lifted. The Holy Spirit not only can but desires to help you with that; He dwells in your hearts. 

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15a 

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 

The ruling and reigning of the heart is mashal, and we can train it (2 Peter 2:14) toward peace and wholeness. It holds the treasures of faith, memories, and awareness of His Presence; take advantage of His benefits and rise to a new level of reigning this week.

Psalm 145:1-3 

I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. Psalms 145:1-3 ESV

This Psalm or song of praise was written by a king for a King. David was bubbling over with joy as he thought of the character of his God. The word extol means to lavish high praises, lift up His name, and celebrate who God is. This was personal to David: my God and my King. He had a personal and intimate relationship with the sovereign King of the universe and was bursting out with adoration. That heart-connection between God and David was a picture of what’s available to any believer today. 

One key to developing our relationship with God is having a heart that continually, every day, blesses Him. How do we, finite people, bless an infinite God? What words can possibly declare a blessing on God? The Hebrew word for bless is barak which means to kneel, praise, and even salute. This means that we admit our inability to rule our own lives and ask Him to be our reigning King every area. We don’t submit one time and assume He’s our King forever but constantly remind ourselves every day that He, not us, occupies the throne of our life.

Forever and ever is an indefinite, long period of time, in other words, until we take our last breath and even then any we’ve influenced perpetuate the blessing: the beat goes on. David proclaimed God’s greatness and that blessing has continued for thousands of years and will continue eon to eon, into eternity. 

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. Philippians 4:20 NLT

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen One who never dies; He alone is God. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 NLT

But to the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. Hebrews 1:8 NLT

Our God is great with inexhaustible words that describe His greatness and worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:24) means that we give it our best effort. Today, think of reasons that declare God is good. What has He done in your life that proves His greatness? David had many examples: forgiveness (Ps. 51), deliverance from his enemies (2 Sam. 22), miracles (1 Sam. 17:34-37), powerful acts (remember Goliath?), and his eternal covenant with God (2 Sam. 7:12-17). 

…‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart. He will do everything I want him to do. Acts of the Apostles 13:22b NLT

Since David, Jesus, and believers are all in the same family we join together in lavishing our high praises on God as well.

Undercover Boss is a reality show that follows a CEO who anonymously slips into his company to evaluate what level of integrity his employees display. I wonder if King Solomon ever tried that; he must’ve wondered what his court and community leaders were really like. He knew that when the boss is watching everyone shows integrity on the outside … but what about on the inside? In his wisdom Solomon knew outside forces were tempting his people and desired kingdom living for them, therefore, he penned these words of chapters 19-22 for contrast. 

As Jesus walked this earth preaching and teaching Kingdom principles He also knew our unseen enemy would have to be dealt with: Satan. We can look pretty good to people on the outside when everything is going our way but what about when our cup is bumped? What spills out?

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Matthew 12:28

Recognize your enemy and command him to desist!

As I read through these chapters several topics were compared and seemed to stand out: integrity vs. foolishness, honesty vs. lies, generosity vs. stinginess, and laziness vs. purpose. Solomon was clear about evils of mockery, wickedness, scoffers, and fools; you really want to steer clear of those kinds of people who influence your life. 

Take integrity, for example, a heart attitude that only God can see, it’s on the inside, but it’s seen when our outside behavior is morally right and innocent.

Jesus warned,

“You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?”

Luke 11:39-40

How about mockery? Many find it funny and you get some laughs but this type of ridicule pokes fun at people and makes them appear unimportant or stupid:

If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser. Proverbs 19:25

Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten. Proverbs 19:29

Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. Proverbs 21:24

Are you getting the serious picture that Solomon is painting?

Making someone look less than yourself may be funny to others but not to God. He desires kingdom living for you, mashal, ruling and reigning in life but not at someone else’s expense. Consider the Holy Spirit your Undercover Boss this week as you watch your words and behavior knowing they come directly from your inner man or heart. What did He think of what you said or did?

People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. Proverbs 21:2-3

Eph. 1:3-10 Unite All Things

Several years ago I traveled into Germany and learned the history of the reunification of Germany in 1990. After walking through what was previously the military-guarded, barbed wired border, I felt humbled at what had taken place. Reunification is bringing back together what had been divided, like East and West Germany. That’s where we land today: Eph. 1:10.

… as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:10 

As we wrap up this section of scripture Paul reminded us of what he taught in the beginning: we are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He closes now with the plan and purpose of Christ being reunification or bringing back together all things in heaven and on earth. When the fullness of time comes and He returns to earth He will bring reunification. Think about that. There’s an interconnectedness, an overlapping, a weaving together of heaven and earth today in partial fulfillment, but then, on That Day, it will be complete. 

How will this linking of heaven and earth operate? Think back to the Garden of Eden. Creator and creature were in constant communion. Kingdom principals in God’s realm (heaven) were operating in man’s realm (earth): true unity. However, after sin entered our earthly realm, God divided the kingdom and we had to wait for the heavenly things, to be united again to the earthly things. Mercy, justice, and forgiveness were extended to mankind and relationship was restored.

Jesus warned us in His conversation with Nicodemus,

But if you don’t believe Me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? John 3:12 

The spiritual blessings of the heavenly places are partial now but when the fullness of time arrives the Fifth Kingdom of Daniel 7 will be inaugurated: The King of kings will be on His earthly throne.

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Daniel 7:27 

We were originally created in His image and as believers we reflect Him in all we say and do. Our sin is washed away, we communicate with God, and experience divine unity with Him every day: heavenly things. But then, at the fullness of time, we will rule and reign with Him in this new kingdom that reunifies heaven and earth. Dominion is restored, Satan and his demons are banished, and we complete the full-circle. We have a foretaste now but then we’ll experience complete unity.

Eph. 1:3-10 is a fascinating portion of scripture that I hope you understand and appreciate more now than you did when we began. I know I do. 

The concept of ruling and reigning in life, mashal, is clearly emphasized in the lessons learned from Proverbs. Let’s examine chapters 13-18 where we find a recurring truth centered around our mouths. Not limiting our study to simply our mouth but also to our tongue, lips, speech, and messages will give us God’s message: be careful with your words.

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself … but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:6, 8 

Sounds depressing, right? We can’t tame our own tongue; we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. A big part of kingdom living is being aware of your words as Jesus taught:

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 

… For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34b, 36-37 ESV

That’s enough warning for me to watch my words.

Let’s examine some of the proverbs that teach us truths about our words.

• 13:2-3 Sweet fruit (of the Spirit) from your mouth leads to kingdom living so carefully guard that fruit (18:20) and experience a satisfying harvest (16:21).
• 14:3 Wisdom on your lips acts as a shield of protection and spreads knowledge (15:7) to those who need it; it’s like saying the right thing at the right time (15:23).
• 14:7 The babbling of foolish people keep you from knowledge but when you restrain your words (15:28) you spread knowledge because a ‘cool spirit’ shows you have understanding, wisdom, and intelligence (17:27-28).
• 15:1-4 A soft answer can deflect rage and help someone heal: be a tree of life-words (18:21).
• 15:26 Undeserved words of grace are pure in God’s eyes; He expects them from the righteous (16:13) because they are sweet to the soul and healing to the body (16:24).
• 18:4 teaches that words are like deep waters, a fountain bubbling with wisdom.

As I perused these chapters I found approximately 50 references to our words or speech directed at people; that’s a crucial topic for those who desire to rule and reign in life right now. Jesus is called the Word for a reason (John 1:1), the Bible is described as a sword (Eph. 6:17 and Heb. 4:12) with purpose, and the Lessons from Proverbs help us understand the connections for a victorious life in Christ.