Proverbs 31

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Well, I finally get the last word!  It’s about time.  I hope you have enjoyed reading through Proverbs during this month.  It is also my prayer that God has used his word and these blogs to open your eyes to something new and timely in your life.

Proverbs 31:10-31

This is a beautiful and very misunderstood passage of scripture.  I was exhausted after I read it. Then I realized that this is not about the “perfect” woman that I need to compare myself to or some unreachable ideal: instead, this is one man’s (King Lemuel) tribute to his own mother.

The words noble, good, capable, virtuous and excellent are all used in different versions of the Bible to describe this woman.  This is a person who is strong, capable of doing many things.  In this period in history, this woman was anything but typical.  She knows about fabrics, purchasing, cooking, farming, and real estate.  She’s an organized early riser who is also a kindhearted encourager. She loves taking care of her family’s needs.  Of course she is respected by her children and husband and has a sense of worth in all she does.

The wife of noble character was a very unique person with her own particular gifts and strengths, which she used to benefit her family and community. My gifts and your gifts might be very different than hers.

So we don’t have to live up to the Proverbs 31 ideal.  But we do need to discover who God made us to be and seek to be the best “me” we can for his glory and the benefit of others.

As we end this study together, reflect and determine whether you are the best you can be for your family, your spouse, your church, and your community. Most importantly, are you taking all God has given you and using it for him each and every day?  If not, let’s decide today to be the best “me” we can for him!

Striving to be the best for him,

Kathy Tanner

Director of Ministry Operations

Proverbs 30

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As we near the end of our Challenge, the first few verses of Proverbs 30 provide a very important reality check.

This chapter contains “the sayings of Agur.” We don’t know much about Agur. He is either an unknown sage, perhaps during the time of Solomon, or he is writing under a pseudonym. There is no record of a well-known historical figure by that name.

Admittedly this chapter is a bit more difficult to interpret than some of the other parts of the Proverbs collection. But it’s a fascinating nugget of ancient literature. I particularly love the attitude of humility expressed by the writer in the first several verses.

“I am the most ignorant of men: I do not have a man’s understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy One.” – Proverbs 30:2-3

Basically, he’s saying that when it comes to wisdom, the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.

One of the fallacies of youth is the idea that we know everything. This attitude kicks in at puberty and usually reaches its peak around the age of 23 (no offense to my 23 year old daughter).

The imminently quotable Mark Twain once said, "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

Agur is speaking here in the spirit of Socrates who said, “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.” But he goes further in reminding us that the one true God is the source of all knowledge.

We learned early on in this journey that:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The “fear of the Lord” always leads to humility. Humility leads to a willingness to listen, or having a “teachable spirit.” This simply means admitting I don’t have everything figured out and that I need a source of wisdom way bigger and way smarter than I’ll ever be.

It seems to me this is a pretty important thing to keep in mind as this Proverbs journey comes to a close.

But then again, what do I know.

We have one more day remaining of our 31 Day Challenge. Congratulations for making it this far! Tune in tomorrow as my wife, Kathy, gets the last word.

Some things never change.

Blessings,
John Tanner

Proverbs 29

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Proverbs 29 starts with the most convicting statement:

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

OUCH!  At first glance I thought, “I really feel sorry for those people.  They are so…stiff-necked!”  As I have done through most of Proverbs, I agree with each verse. Much of the wisdom in Proverbs is self-evident.  So why is this book so important?

Life can be a bit like a maze, or maybe one of those pictures that looks like a collection of random dots and colors but becomes a vivid picture after you stare at it for a while.  We live our daily lives in pursuit of the “right” path, which means making wise decisions with diligence.  We make our decisions based on the information that we have and how we feel God is directing.  Most times we don’t know if it was the “best” choice until we look in the rear-view mirror. 

“I’m glad I made that choice.”

“That was a wise decision.”

OR

“That didn’t go well.”

“I wish I had never gotten out of bed THAT day.”

My oldest son asked me, “What does being ‘called’ mean?”  Honestly, it was a discussion that I had been looking forward to for years.  I told him that it’s usually not an audible voice, but one inside us.  And that if we listen to trustworthy friends, and read what the Bible says, we can put those together and have a good idea of what God is calling us to do.  It seems very simple.

But this is where I begin to worry…about myself.

Proverbs 29:1 refers to “stiff-necked” people as those who ignore rebukes repeatedly.  I think I’m a fast learner, but what if God is sending a message and I’m not hearing it?  What if I’m not hearing God because my head is too clouded with other things, and those rebukes are getting lost in the noise?

God is speaking, but are we listening?  I pray that I would not only hear the joy in my Heavenly Father’s voice but also the rebukes as he shepherds me in the right direction.  I pray that I will never be so arrogant as to think that “stiff-necked” refers only to “those people.”  And I pray that following God’s direction will become easier as I grow in years and hopefully grow in wisdom.  We may never have the map to tell us the exact choice to make, but listening for God’s voice from the Scripture, wise advice from others, and the Holy Spirit within us will surely give us a good start.

How has God spoken to you today?

Darin Miller
Family Ministries Pastor

Proverbs 28

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The last summer before I graduated from college, I helped lead a team of students on a cross-cultural mission project to Thailand. We stayed on a college campus about the size of Auburn in a town a couple of hours northeast of Bangkok called Khon Kaen. The nine weeks I spent there changed my perspective on many things in life.

The two things that struck me most about the Thai people were their material poverty and their experiential joy. Thai people in general seemed to be full of smiles and hospitality despite their lack of Western comforts that many of us take for granted.

Where I saw this mostly clearly portrayed was during a “vision trip” to a leper colony in the surrounding area. We spent time there working on a road and helping in an orphanage, and then we went out to minister to the people who were living with leprosy. This was a humbling experience in many ways, but the scene that has seared itself deepest in my memory came that night at a church service held for the colony. In an open air sanctuary with dogs under our feet, we sat on makeshift pews as a leper stood before us and, with help from an interpreter, shared his testimony.

The leprosy had clearly taken a toll on his body. He had no hands and his legs were uneven to the point that he could barely stand. The side of his face was deformed and it was difficult for the interpreter to make out what he was saying. But one phrase clearly stood out: “khun pra chuay” (sounded out K-hune-pra-chow). This Thai phrase means “thanks be to God,” and he used it to conclude every sentence.

I remember sitting there in silence and realizing that here was a person who had little material wealth but possessed riches that I may never know this side of eternity. For the first time I saw how some things I had always considered “blessings” might actually be barriers to deeper intimacy with God. I learned that the poor seem to have a special place in God’s economy.

Of course, the writer of Proverbs 28 already knew these truths. Warnings of greed and neglect for the poor appear seven times in this chapter alone. Consider verse 6: “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.” Also, verse 27 warns us, “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”

I still struggle with keeping my eyes open to the needs of those around me. How has God used this chapter to open your eyes?

Yours and His,

Allen Wilson
Director of Student Ministries

Proverbs 27

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The book of Proverbs is full of one-liners that are great reminders of eternal truths. One of my favorites is found in Chapter 27, verse 16:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

In this verse, you and I are described as iron. We were made to sharpen others in their faith and be sharpened by them.

How can you sharpen others?

•  Encourage and spur others on to know and love God more (Hebrews 10:24-25)

•  Being full of grace and truth, speak the truth in love to others (John 1:18, Ephesians 4:15).

• Pray for others with compassion and mercy (James 5:16).

• Love others sacrificially (John 13:34-35).

• Be willing to help others up when they fall (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

How do you let others sharpen you? By choosing to be with people who will do all of the above. We all need those people in our lives who will encourage and spur us on, speak the truth in love into our lives, pray for us compassionately after we willingly confess our sins, love us sacrificially, and help us up when we fall.

Who currently sharpens you? Whom are you sharpening?

Grace & Peace,

Stephen Hampton
Chase Campus Pastor

PS - At Cove Church, C-Groups are a great place to find others who will “sharpen” you. If you would like to be a part of a C-Group, it’s not too late to join. For more information, e-mail Darin Miller at darin@covechurch.com.

Proverbs 26

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As I read Proverbs 26, I am reminded of a wise principal who remained calm and in control when confronted with a volatile situation.  Proverbs 26:4 states, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” In other words, it is not good to get on the same level as a person who is behaving foolishly. 

One day, I had the opportunity to observe this wise principal as he talked to a parent that was obviously upset.  This concerned mother, in a loud voice, announced to the school secretary and all who happened to be in the office, that she was extremely upset.  She demanded to see the principal at once.   Right or wrong, this lady was disrupting the educational process, and people were starting to stare at her. 

The principal quickly defused the situation by immediately coming to speak to the parent.  I noticed that she was almost yelling when she spoke, but when the wise principal spoke, he lowered his voice so that it was almost inaudible.  As a result, the parent actually had to move toward the principal to hear his gentle words.  In turn, the lady began to lower her voice.  She seemed to relax.  Parent and principal continued to talk, but they were almost whispering.  Then, after a brief period of time, the two people went inside the principal’s office to discuss the matter in the privacy of his office.  The disruptive situation was resolved because of the wise principal’s actions.  She was loud.  He was quiet.  She was harsh.  He was gentle. 

Are you reminded of an instance when a situation was defused because a person remained calm when confronted with foolish behavior?

Jan Harris 

Proverbs 25

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My voice hasn’t changed that much since I was 10 years old.  I know this because when I was 10, telephone solicitors would call our house.  When I answered, they would immediately ask to speak to my mother.  The thing is, they kept on calling and kept on asking for my mother as I answered the phone  in my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and (“do-not-call” lists notwithstanding) my 50’s.  I don’t have much control over still sounding like I’m 10, but I should have control over what I say and perhaps even more importantly, how I say it.  It’s not always easy.

Many of the 28 verses in Proverbs 25 have a common theme….. be wise about what we say, how we say it and when we say it.

Vs   6 – Don’t pump yourself up in front of others  

Vs   9 – Don’t betray another’s confidence

Vs 11 – Speak the right word at the right time

Vs 12 – Value a wise friend’s timely reprimand

Vs 13 – Do what you say you will do

Vs 14 – Don’t talk big but then not follow through

Vs 18 – Telling lies causes chaos & pain

Vs 23 – A sly or gossipy tongue brings trouble

Vs 24 – Nagging brings loneliness

Vs 25 – Share good news to encourage others  

Verse 15 is the one that really catches my eye.  It refers to the person who can “break defenses” and change things with patient and gentle speech.  My role model is someone who can remain calm when things get stressful, speak up without anger or malice, and ultimately have a positive influence and power over a situation.  As the Proverb notes, patient and calm speaking persuades the leader.     

We certainly express our intelligence (or perhaps the lack of it) by what we say.  But more importantly we put our discernment and wisdom on display by how we say things as well.  I can certainly be “right” about one thing or another, but if I communicate my thought, my opinion, or my recommendation in such a way that I come across as offensive or arrogant, am I really being smart?  Intelligent, maybe; wise, no.  Proverbs 25:15 tells me a patient and gentle tongue doesn’t mean a “timid” outcome; it can actually be quite powerful in its effect.  Having a patient and gentle approach is pleasing to God.  It is certainly pleasing to others.  Proverbs 25 tells us how to help others hear us with an open mind and heart and better act on the wisdom we have to offer.   

How can you use your words wisely today?

Ronda Hutchins

Adult Ministry Admin