SOAP 06/04/2016; Proberbs 29:18

Today's reading: Proverbs 28, 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

S) "¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law."

Proberbs 29:18 (NASB)

O) The first translation of this verse I learned, was the King James Version. That translates the second part, "the people perish," which has a much more foreboding sound to it. It's not really translating that word, though, so much as it is interpreting implications. The Old Testament had many instances of unrestrained people, and one of the clearest examples of the verse above, is when Moses was on Mount Sinai, in Exodus 32. Where it says the people were out of control, that word is literally like getting loose of control, or becoming unrestrained. The people had quickly and easily lost sight of what they were doing, who they were following, and why they were there (apparently because they literally couldn't see Moses when he was upon the mountain). I do appreciate the more literal translation of this verse, though, because a lack of vision isn't always a death-sentence, per se. All sin leads to death, but that law of death is broken in Christ. Even so, a clear vision of God's ways, of His purpose, of His love, instills a desire for obedience that often starts with self-restraint, or self-control. That leads to the happiness that this verse describes in the second line.

A) When I was searching Old Testament passages about lack of vision, I came across Amos 8:11, and I was reminded how blessed I am to have the Bible. I can read the very words of God anytime I want (which also reminds me how blessed I am to live in this country, when I do). I can't neglect that, or take it for granted. As much as I read my Bible, I must still keep my eyes fixed on God, on His words, on His glory and purpose. This takes determination, it takes self-restraint, but it's all worth it. I don't fear death. In Christ, the curse of sin is broken. My mistakes don't have to kill me. Even so, my heart's desire is to honor my Lord. It's just an added blessing that His ways lead to life. The only pursuit of happiness that ever succeeds, is obedience because of the love of Christ.

P) Father, open my eyes, that I would keep a clear vision of who You are, and who I am in Christ. I don't ever want to lose sight of who You are, or Who I am following as a disciple of Christ, or why I am here. I am here for Your glory. I am here to point others to the Way, that they might find happiness in relationship with You, Lord. Thank You for the grace and mercy of the gospel. Help me to dwell on that constantly. Restrain me from my own sinful flesh, and help me to deny myself, submitting to Your authority, trusting in Your love. Let your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/03/2016; Proverbs 26:7

Today's reading: Proverbs 25, 26, 27; Romans 15

S) "⁷ Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools."

Proverbs 26:7 (NASB)

O) There isn't any hidden meaning in this verse. It's really just pointing out how useless a proverb is in the mouth of a fool. Quoting the knowledge doesn't help a fool any more than legs help a lame man. What should be of particular note, though, is that a paraplegic man cannot usually make his legs useful. However, if a fool will apply the proverb practically, it will benefit him greatly.

A) There is a particular difficulty with foolishness, which is that a fool seldom knows he is a fool. I have, without question, acted foolishly. I also know that I am far from the most wise. Thankfully, God the Father can give wisdom to those who seek Him, just as Jesus was able to heal the lame. I have no doubt that I am wiser than I was, when I first believed the gospel. I also have no doubt, that there is more wisdom ahead of me than there is within me. I don't want to be lame, spouting proverbs like a fool. The solution is for me to be humble, seek God, and be obedient to His leading. If I am taking Scripture seriously, bending myself to its authority, and submitting to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, then I may become wiser still.

P) Father, be glorified. I don't want wisdom for my own sake, or for wisdom's sake. I want to be a wise servant. I want to be a wise son. You deserve all honor and praise, and if I am a more wise Christian, then it exalts Your name among those who see me. Help me to be humble, by making myself less and Jesus more. I don't want to be spiritually crippled, Lord. Please heal me of my foolishness and pride. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/02/2016; Proverbs 22:7

Today's reading: Proverbs 22, 23, 24; Romans 14

S) "⁷ The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave."

Proverbs 22:7 (NASB)

O) There are two principles at work in this verse. On the surface, this may seem like an endorsement to pursue riches, but I really don't think it is. At the beginning of this chapter, and the beginning of the next, Solomon is giving warnings about wealth, that it is not at all a top pursuit. On the other hand, he declares over and over, that righteousness, wisdom, a good name, and the fear of the LORD should all be pursued over riches. It is only a statement of reality, that rich people have power, and in that power they rule over the poor. However, to have a ruler is not necessarily a bad thing. To have an evil ruler is certainly grievous, but to have a righteous ruler can be a real joy. Similarly, being poor does not need to be any real problem. Jesus warned against being wealthy, and throughout the Bible God has a heart for the poor, over and over. Indeed, if being poor humbles a person, to realize their need for God, then He is glorified and that is very good. The second line, however, has a very strong warning against borrowing money. This probably much more figurative today, than it was then, but it still has very practical meaning.

A) Debt has been a sword of Damocles over my head, on more than one occasion. Even right now, I have a few thousand dollars of debt, and that debt has influenced how I live. Because I have steep monthly payments, I have been unable to do things I wanted to do. I have been bound to repay that debt, and it still feels like a burden. In Christ, my spiritual debts are paid for me by His mercy and grace. However, in Christ especially, I have a responsibility to repay my financial debts. God does not want me bound, or enslaved, to anyone or anything, except as a bondservant to Him alone. If I have debts, then I am not able to be as devoted, as loyal so-to-speak, to God and His work. In a sense, this is the same as what Jesus warned against. If a man cannot serve both God and money, but I have debts of money, then I am in part working to serve that debt, that money. I am repentant for the carelessness involved in acquiring this debt. Even still, I need to repay it responsibly, not only because of my own reputation, but more importantly for the name of Christ. If I bear His name, and I act irresponsibly, then I am casting a pall on His glory in the eyes of men. So, I have a mind and determination, to repay these debts as soon as possible. I have in mind, to be a slave to no one but Christ.

P) Father, forgive me for acquiring debts. I want to honor Your name, and do nothing to compromise my devotion to You. Help me walk in contentment and trust, especially regarding my finances and materialism. Help me to live modestly, as I work fervently to repay this debt I have. Help me to not blame-shift or complain, and instead let me take responsibility and walk in obedience. Lead me to repay this wisely, and to work honorably, that I may give You glory with all my actions. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/01/2016; Proverbs 19:23

Today's reading: Proverbs 19, 20, 21; Romans 13

S) "²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil."

Proverbs 19:23 (NASB)

O) Knowing the author of so many proverbs, is the same man who was a practicing polytheist because of the idolatry of his hundreds of wives, makes me curious as to when Solomon wrote these
words. This makes context a little harder, but as with many of the proverbs, there is a certain amount of independence to them. Whether Solomon wrote this, or some gentile who came to know the fear of the LORD, the truth remains the same. The truth is that the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to obeying God, which is the practice of righteousness. That kind of righteousness protects life (generally speaking, as opposed to wicked practices which threaten life). Similarly, the fear of God leads to reverence of God, which leads to faith in God, which leads to a positional righteousness (that is, that God would credit faith as righteousness before Him). That kind of righteousness (specifically now, the faith in Christ Jesus) gives us spiritual life everlasting. The next consideration, is what is meant by sleeping satisfied. This is really about contentment and peace. A person who feels discontent is unsatisfied. A person who is experiencing chaos and strife is unsatisfied. Evil will lead to dissatisfaction. Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. To what end, then? If that evil touches as person (whether by temptation to sin, or more direct influences of circumstance), this verse is showing us it would be to create dissatisfaction. If that dissatisfaction is manifested, it will begin reversing the proper order of things, and a person will abandon righteousness in pursuit of satisfaction, and that abandonment will ultimately mean brazen irreverence toward God.

A) There are few things as heartbreaking, as emotionally and physically draining, as going to bed feeling the full shame of guilt. Because of the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit within the church and the individual believer, and because of the empowerment gained through His leading (see Galatians 5:16), and because of the promises of God working through circumstances on our behalf (see Romans 8:28 and 1 Corinthians 10:13), Christians are without excuse as to the problem of sinful behavior. As a believer, I do not have a "[sin] problem" I have a "don't fear God enough" problem. If I want to sleep satisfied, it all starts with a proper fear of God. If I am worshiping Him for who He really is, in His power and might, in His fury and wrath, in His judgment and consistency, then that worship will strengthen faith and obedience. In that, I will find my contentment and peace in Christ. In that, I will walk in the Spirit to not gratify the flesh; I will take the way of escape. In that, I will have satisfied sleep, untouched by evil.

P) Father, thank You for Your mercy and patience. You are compassionate, slow to anger, and full of lovingkindness. That is certainly who You are. At the same time, I see Christ crucified. I see that You are a just and righteous God, full of fury against Your enemies and wrath against sin. You are true, unchanging, and sure. You are sovereign, and no one can plead a case against You. What You open, no one can shut, and what You shut, no one can open. When You give judgment, there is no one who will overturn it. Help me to keep focus, Lord. You have every right to punish Your enemies, and in  the end You will. You have the power to right every wrong, and in the end You will. Father God, my Lord and King, my Creator... I don't even want to resemble Your enemy. I know that I am hidden in Christ. I am so thankful, that I am judged righteous because my guilt was laid upon Jesus, and His innocence was laid upon me. But I don't want to soil the glorious robes of righteousness, with which I am now clothed. I don't want to remove them, either. Help me to have a proper view of sin, that I would recognize it for the poison it is. Help me to have a clear view of Your character, that I would understand how You view sin, and that I would fear Your awesome character for who You are. Help me to keep things in their proper order, that I would first fear You, then walk in faith and obedience, then in that righteousness I would find contentment, peace, and satisfied sleep. Let Your will be done, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/31/2016; Proverbs 16:18

Today's reading: Proverbs 16, 17, 18; Romans 12

S) "¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling."

Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)

O) God is against the proud, and there is no other way to see it (see James 4:6, and the rest of the Bible). Throughout the old testament, the Israelites would exalt themselves, and the LORD would use the agency of some foreign country to execute justice against them. There were even times (like with Nebuchadnezzar), where the kingdom used would be arrogant, and so God would even bring them low. Certainly, this verse is a warning against arrogant pride and haughtiness. However, it can also be seen as a reminder of God's nature, and how He executes perfect justice.

A) It is pure grace that my pride didn't literally, physically destroy me in my youth. Because of the grace of the gospel, and how God has been changing my heat over the years spent with Him, I am not as arrogant as I used to be. Still, arrogance is insidious, and lies in wait. Jesus conquered sin and death, and so in that way my sins will not cost me my very life. In Christ, I am a new creation, and I am promised sanctification and eternal life. Still, the second line of this proverb really speaks to me. While I may not be destroyed because of the pride that used to puff me up, I am still prone to a haughtiness that causes me to stumble. I have seen the warning signs. Sometimes, it's that I am acutely more aware of the mistakes other people make, silly things like copy error on a bumper sticker. Sometimes, it's that I am suddenly thinking I look really handsome (this feels really silly to admit, but it's true). That kind of arrogance inevitably leads me to stumble into some kind of sinful behavior. The list of sins that start with pride and haughtiness, may have no end. And, there are certainly other ways to fall into sin. But for me, it may always start with pride and haughtiness. So, I must continue to humble myself. That's not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less. The most effective way to do that, the most appropriate way, is to think of my Lord more. The opposite of self-worship is Jesus-worship. If I am exalting, then I am lower by default. Just as John said, it must be less of me and more of Him.

P) Father, thank You for graciously preserving my life, despite my obstinate and prideful history. I confess that I still struggle with a haughty spirit. I know that it leads to my own stumbling, and I hate that. By the work of the Holy Spirit within me, I can see that I am not the same arrogant man I used to be, but I know that I still have so much further to go. Help me to focus more on You and less on me, each day. Help me to deliberately humble myself, as I consciously devote myself to exalting You. Fill my mouth with Your praises, and let me be bold in bragging about my Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/30/2016; Proverbs 14:4

Today's reading: Proverbs 13, 14, 15; Romans 11

S) "⁴ Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox."

Proverbs 14:4 (NASB)

O) There is a very literal meaning in this verse. A farmer has less to clean, and therefore less labor, if he has no oxen. However, if he does have an ox, he can make more money using it to farm. This is almost like the saying, "It takes money to make money." However, this can have a great many metaphorical meanings as well. Like many of the proverbs, seeking an application for the wisdom found in it, especially in the contemporary world, means taking a passage symbolically.

A) The very first thing I thought, was that it's easier to keep my Bible in pristine condition, if I never use it, but there is life in what it contains! If I literally wear out my Bible, then I'm doing it right, I think! Still, this principle will protect me from bitterness, by helping me focus on gratitude. When I have to fill up my gas tank, I can be thankful I own a car. When I have to sweep the warehouse, I can be thankful I have a job. When I have to discipline my kids, I can be thankful I have a family. On and on it goes, that I can turn my bitterness over to joy, simply by acknowledging that the work involved in something is actually because I am blessed. Adam had to tend the garden of Eden, but that garden had the tree of life in it.

P) Father, thank You for every blessing I have. Help me to recognize them for what they are, that I would be able to enjoy them in thanksgiving! It's all too easy for me to be distracted by the work involved in something, but I don't want to be bitter. Open my eyes to see that I want the oxen in my life, even when it means cleaning the mangers. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/29/2016; Proverbs 10:2

Today's reading: Proverbs 10, 11, 12; Romans 10

S) "² For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge."

Proverbs 10:2 (NASB)

O) In the previous chapter, Paul shared his lament about the unbelieving Israelites, who would not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. As he starts this chapter, where he shows the righteousness which comes through faith, he leaves one last clarifying statement about his countrymen. The Israelites who haven't believed the gospel, weren't hopeless. They were still passionate about the LORD, but they just didn't have the correct understanding about who their Messiah is. As Paul expands on the righteousness that comes by faith, specifically by faith in Christ Jesus, he is saying that is the knowledge they need for salvation. It is not enough to have zeal for God, if they still don't understand who Christ is.

A) There is a marriage, a balance, that must happen between passion and knowledge. This verse is a warning that passionate worship won't mean much, if I am not understanding who Christ is. Now, certainly, I know Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He is the Son of God. He is God. Still, this verse motivates me to continue seeking the truth, particularly through Scripture, about who God is. When I married my wife, we had been together for three years. I knew her, back then... but not like I know her now, having been married a dozen years. Similarly, the more time I am wed to Christ, the bridegroom of the church, the more I may know Him. The more time I seek to know Him better and better, the more I talk with Him and listen to His words, the more my knowledge will inform my zeal. As my knowledge will increase, my zeal will become better founded, and grow in its own measure.

P) Father, thank You for the grace in my knowing who Christ is, at all. Thank You that I ever heard the gospel message in the first place. I am so thankful to know You, and to know Jesus, and even the Holy Spirit. I know that I still have room to grow in my knowledge. I know that I still don't know much. Open my eyes and ears, Lord. Help me understand You better, through Scripture and the wisdom of godly men. Let my zeal for You always be matched by my knowledge of You, and may they both increase in Christ. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/28/2016; Proverbs 9:17-18

Today's reading: Proverbs 7, 8, 9; Romans 9

S) "^{17 '}Stolen water is sweet;
 And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
 ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol."

Proverbs 9:17-18 (NASB)

O) The first verse has the words of the foolish woman, enticing men to join her in her house. The warning of the second verse is strong. These verses are in contrast to the depiction of wisdom in vv.5-6, where she offers bread and wine, and life through understanding. The implication is that the foolish, or simple, person will accept compromised morals, but it will lead to death. Both wisdom and folly are calling, and both appear to be offering to meet the same basic needs (hunger and thirst), but only wisdom holds life.

A) The warning here, can be applied to almost any sinful desire. Naturally speaking, I want to hide my sins. The things I am tempted to do, I generally want to do in secret. But, when I steal what doesn't belong to me (metaphorically speaking, pretty much any sin can be called stealing what doesn't belong to me), and when I am secretive about my sins, it is foolishness that will cost me. The first step then, is for me to make conscious efforts to seek wisdom When I do sin, when I fall for the lie of stolen water and secret bread, the next step is to expose the secret sin, declare the bitterness of the water, to confess and repent. In Jesus Christ, I will always have the grace of the gospel, promising forgiveness for sins and restoration. The quicker I come to that, the better.

P) Father, please forgive my foolishness. I confess that I am still fooled by temptation. I don't want to be played the fool by sin, though. I want to live in the wisdom of Christ. I want to glorify You with my life. Please forgive me, and heal me, and give me wisdom and understanding. Help me to be quick to confess my secret sins, and declare the bitterness of these stolen waters, whatever they are. Let me trust in the grace of the gospel, and remember the love and comfort I receive through the Holy Spirit, in unity with other believers. Be glorified in my mistakes, as much as You are in my obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.