v.10 If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small
I think the Scriptures reminds us not to give up, but have courage in the day of trouble. I will like to ask you for prayer in my work. You all know that my company is going to close in 3 months. Because of that work has been tremendous. I am the one who want to quit because of the trouble.
Do you have any prayer requests? I think Ivy will appreciate some prayers for she is moving tomorrow and will face new work and new places.
I looked back and found myself lacking in courage also in my time of sickness, when I had the cough I never have before and sicked for 2 months. I believe God uses those trouble to train me not to give up and not to have a faint heart.
May we all dedicate ourselves in the new year to be a woman of strong heart. When troubles and trials come we rely on God and will not faint.
v.13-14 Eat honey, my child, for it is good,
and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.
24:14 Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul;
if you find it, you will have a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
NET, “one should develop wisdom because it has a profitable future. The saying draws on the image of honey; its health-giving properties make a good analogy to wisdom."
and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.
24:14 Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul;
if you find it, you will have a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
NET, “one should develop wisdom because it has a profitable future. The saying draws on the image of honey; its health-giving properties make a good analogy to wisdom."
Rather than enjoying the present clam and peaceful life, people with anxiety will be caught up in their worries about future. Sometimes, I will think about all the worst scenarios when I am getting old or other calamity, etc...The best remedy is not to have a guarantee for trouble-free life. Instead, the Scriptures (v.13-14) tell us it is best to have wisdom and we know how to face the future, no matter what will happen. Wisdom is good, and is sweet to our soul just like honey is good and sweet to our taste. If our soul can taste it will taste the goodness and sweetness of wisdom. When you read God's Words every day will your thirsty soul got quenched? Will you feel the clarity of your mind? NET, ""a future,” i.e., a happy close of life, sometimes suggesting the idea of posterity promised to the righteous, often parallel to “hope.”"
With God's Words/Wisdom we know how to face the future. Jesus, brought us hope in liberating us from the bondage of sin and restored our relationship with God. With Him, our future in eternity is secure.
Couple verses today is about work:
v.27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready;
afterward build your house
I've never knew that this is a concept from the Bible: a person needs to establish his work before he builds his family. NET, "the proverb would mean that one should be financially secure before building a house or starting a family."
a little folding of the hands to relax,
v.27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready;
afterward build your house
I've never knew that this is a concept from the Bible: a person needs to establish his work before he builds his family. NET, "the proverb would mean that one should be financially secure before building a house or starting a family."
In v.30-34, the Scriptures describe the field of a sluggard. Thorns and weeds grow all over it.
24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.
24:31 I saw that thorns had grown up all over it,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and its stone wall was broken down.
by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.
24:31 I saw that thorns had grown up all over it,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and its stone wall was broken down.
What we do in our works will catch the attention from other people. Whether we are lazy like the sluggard or we work hard will bring us good or bad reputation. As a Christian it may even give good or bad influence to other people. Note also, the thorns and weeds need time to grow. The stone wall was supposed to stand but it was broken down. The sluggard has been lazy for a while. See v.33
24:33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to relax,
Repeated phrase, "a little...a little.. a little..." It is no big deal just to slack back a little while or giving a more relaxed attitude at work. Someone even thinks that the Christian ethnic is the main reason the West has been so success in the past century over the East. Individually, if we work a little harder will make a big difference to the whole country.
Diligent in your work will be shown easily in an agricultural work. True also for the reverse. Diligent is also important to our bellies. Those who work hard will not go hungry while those who are lazy will become poor.
v.34 and your poverty will come like a bandit,
and your need like an armed robber.Diligent in your work will be shown easily in an agricultural work. True also for the reverse. Diligent is also important to our bellies. Those who work hard will not go hungry while those who are lazy will become poor.
I think God knows us very well. People tend to be lazy when they have plenty. Scriptures want us to think ahead and work hard. Not only we need to think ahead for ourselves but also for our family.
Another topic
v.29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will pay him back according to what he has doneThe lesson is plain: do not revenge. Why? In Romans 12:19, "Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord."" God is just, leave the revenge to God. Do not take it to your own hands.
The problem of revenge actually is about our faith. If we do not believe that God will judge and revenge to the wicked then we cannot help but take the matters in our own hands. Have faith in God and we can have real peace.
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