Daily Bread 5-20-17
Proverbs 31:1-3
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
ref. - Dt 17:17 - Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away: neither shall he multiply to himself silver and gold.
Hos 4:11 - Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
It may be from the book of Proverbs but it still holds true today. This scripture is good news for the soul! It is instruction on why we mustn't do certain things and why we must do other things. If we look at the whole chapter it lets Lemuel know, through his mother, that he should not do things that take his attention away from God. Giving more place or attention to women and money than God would only end in defeat. His heart, in the end, would be overcome with affection to his women or to his money. His strength needed to be used on serving God and not given to serving women. Also, in the reference we see that money was, and still is, a big problem as well. So, as we read this scripture today, it is not just women or money that we must meditate on, it is anything that we are giving more time to than God. Yes, the scripture says that we are not to give our strength to women, this meaning that we are to do what we were created to do as men, and so should women do what they were created for as is told in the Holy Scriptures. He was also told not to run in the direction of that which destroyeth kings. Debate and revolution towards them that were given the rule would not end well, as in this debate and disobedience he would find himself also disobedient to God's will. He would soon end up giving more attention and affection to fighting and causing trouble than what he was called to and the ones that he was called to lead. So, today, we can see that this Proverb, as given to this man by his own Mother, is good advice in staying focused on God and not being distracted by our own actions and affections. If something is drawing your affection to it, it is drawing your affection away from God. Whoredom, wine, and money, are just a few of those things. Children, occupations, traditions, heritage, etc. What we each need to do today is look at ourselves and determine what it is that we are paying attention to that is taking our love and devotion away from God. Are we dependant on our wives for things that God holds? Do we think that money can achieve what only God can allow? Even if we alter our way of thinking with chemicals, will it be a permanent fix like God provides? Is the approval of a small group of friends more important than what the Scripture teaches? Where is our heart, and God, oh God, will you please help us to return to the love, protection, and promises that you have given us through your Son Jesus Christ. Have a great day!!!