Proverbs 31 - 7.10.24

Scripture

“ Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Prov 31:8,9, NKJV)

Observation

Proverbs 31 is famous for guidance for women to become the perfect wife and mother. It is recorded as advice given to King Lemuel by his mother. Some Bible scholars speculate that King Lemuel was Solomon, and this was advice given by Bathsheba. But this remains speculation, as there is no evidence for this. All scripture is God-breathed and given by God, so the author of these verses is the Holy Spirit, as is the rest of the scripture (2 Tim 3:16). 

In this verse we are called to speak out and defend the ones who cannot speak, and defend the cause of the ones “appointed to die” (verse 8, NKJV). Whenever I read this verse, I can’t help thinking of the defenceless babies in the womb who are terminated by choice. God is our defence and he defends us. In turn, God expects us to plead for and defend the destitute, the poor and the needy (verse 9).  Throughout the Bible, we see God’s commandment to plead the cause of the poor and ensure justice. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). In Jeremiah 5:27, the prophet calls out the sin of the people in “not pleading the cause of the fatherless, and the right of the needy”. In Psalms 82:3, we are commanded to “Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed”. Zachariah 7:9-10 says “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor”.

Application

God expects us to be a light in the dark world he has placed us. True Christianity is caring for the widow and the orphan (James 1:27).  We are called to not just mind our business and turn a blind eye when injustices happen to others around us, but to do everything in our power to help defend and execute justice for the oppressed, the defenceless and the poor. I learned this early in my life, during my late-teens in college. My classmates chose to bully the smartest girl in the class, out of nothing but pure jealousy. In spite of God’s prompting in my heart, I chose to ignore this and not speak out in her defence, because I didn’t want to offend the majority. God allowed me to go through the same treatment from the same classmates later, which was very painful. I later understood that this was a chastening from God which led to a character transformation in me.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you because you are my defence, my shield and the lifter of my head (Psalms 3:3). I can face this world, because you are with me, shielding me and protecting me. In you, I am more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37). You are in me, and He who is in me is greater than He is in the world. Show me how I can be your light in the place you have planted me in. Open my eyes and show me the areas where I need to speak out and defend the cause of the defenceless. Show me how I can shine the light you have given me, and not hide my light under the bed (Luke 8:16). Use me for your glory and to accomplish the purpose for which you created me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Revelation 12 - 7.9.24

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation 12:1-6

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in labor and agony as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: There was a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and 10 horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.  His tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth.  And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she did give birth he might devour her child. But she gave birth to a Son - a male Who is going to shepherd all nations with an iron scepter - and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.  The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be fed there for 1260 days.”

OBSERVATION:  As the time draws near for Jesus’ return, Satan is intensifying his efforts to destroy all the people on earth who choose to follow Jesus rather than the man of lawlessness.  ( 2 Thes 2:3).  God made a covenant with Abraham that all the people on earth would be blessed through his offspring, (the children of Israel, and the Messiah). 

Revelation 12-16 describes events that will take place during the great tribulation.  The time frame appears to be 1,260 days, or 3 1/2 years. 

The pregnant woman is a remnant within the nation of Israel.
The great fiery red dragon is Satan.
The Son is Jesus Christ. 

UNDERSTANDING:  Ever since Satan rebelled against God and led Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden, there has been a great conflict between good and evil that has been impacting all human beings, as well as the earth where we live (Genesis 3:16-18/ Isaiah 14:12-15).  However, God began immediately to unfold his redemptive plan, informing Satan that Jesus Christ will eventually “strike (his) head”, even though the evil one will be allowed to strike Christ’s “heel”. (Genesis 3:15). (Gene Getz).
Though Satan’s power has been limited because of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, he continues to battle against God’s people.  Focusing on the Jews, he will wage war against them, only to once again be defeated. 

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord that we are able to rely on Your strength and protection.  Thank You that we are able to be victorious over Satan and his evil cohorts.  Thank You for providing all that we need to be able to walk worthy of the great calling we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray I will continually draw on Your strength and wisdom by putting on the armor of God, and relying on the power of Your Word through prayer, and when my adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for anyone he can devour, I pray that I will resist the devil by submitting to God, and by continually drawing close to You, Lord.

- Robin Orefice.   

Proverbs 29 - 7.8.24

Scripture

Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭15‬ & 17 ‭NLT

15 “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.”

17 “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”

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Observation

In this proverb, King Solomon speaks of the importance of disciplining our children because it produces wisdom. True wisdom comes from God and if a child is living a godly, disciplined life, a parent can have peace of mind knowing that their child will be blessed with God’s favor and protection.

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” -Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭

However, if that child is undisciplined, not only do they bring troubles and misfortune their way, but they bring disgrace to their parents who raised them.

Application

Discipline out of love, not anger.

The part in the verse that really stood out to me was the part where it talked about how a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. I mean, we’ve all seen it. Whether we’re at a mall, restaurant, or a movie theater, we’ve all seen that out of control, undisciplined child throwing a fit and having a tantrum when things don’t go their way. They are usually loud and obnoxious, running and screaming down the aisles and creating a scene. While this is happening, everyone else is thinking, “whose kid is this?!”

Now I hate to admit it, but I was a parent to one of those kids. It was when one of my daughters was a toddler playing at the mall playground, and she had a total meltdown. Other parents were looking and staring, while I had to embarrassingly grab her and bring her to the bathroom. It was then that I had to discipline her to correct her bad behavior. But, that moment helped her realize that there was a certain standard that I had set for her to live by. If she couldn’t meet that standard, there would be consequences. Needless to say, she never had another meltdown like that again, as she learned from her mistake.

The same goes with us and our relationship with God. God creates His standards that we should try to live by. If we mess up, (which all of us have done), there is usually some sort of discipline or consequence we receive because of it. But, we are ALWAYS met with God’s grace, mercy, and love. The key for us as His children is to repent/learn from our mistakes and to try not do them again. If we don’t, we know discipline is around the corner and we know God disciplines those He loves. I mean, what kind of parent just lets their kids go off in this world to do anything they want, whenever they want?! Obviously, a parent who doesn’t care. But God cares. He loves us. God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. We carry His family name as Christ Followers and should want to make Him proud with everything we do. 😊

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”-Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Forgive me for the times I fall short to Your standards. And even though it may bring me discomfort, thank You for Your discipline when I do mess up. Because I know You do it out of love. You don’t want me to go down a path that leads to darkness that leads death. You correct me to put me back on the path that leads to life. Help me to stay on course. Give me a heart that wants to please You and make You proud. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi