Proverbs 3:3

  

Proverbs 3:3

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Love and faithfulness. A definition, though a very small definition, of our great God. He is love. He is faithful. And He desires us to be too.

Being filled with His love and faithfulness we have the ability to express these two virtues as we live for Him and serve Him. In this proverb, Solomon reminds us how important they are.

Christianity.com: "Bind them about thy neck, as the most graceful ornament.” I like that description. A graceful ornament. In reality we can’t wear love and faithfulness around our neck, but we can display it in our life. It can be seen just as much as the color of our hair. It will come out in all that we do. It will be evident.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: “Do not forget them, keep them in memory, and always retain a hearty affection for them; it is the Spirit's work to write them in the heart; and when they are there written, it is the work of saints, under a divine influence, to copy them over in life, and to show by their conduct and behavior that they are written there.”

The Holy Spirit, our Teacher, writes them in our hearts. We then display them in our daily life. It will be just as evident as wearing an ornament around our neck.

Of course, we are human. We don’t always do or act the way we should. But we can try our best to live with faithfulness and love on display so others will know there is something different about us because we live for God.

These two-character traits will grow in our mind as we continually do our best to show them in our daily activities. It is a great honor that God provides us with, the ability to display these virtues as we go about each day.

TruthaccordingtoScripture.com says: “This is simply a metaphor that means, ‘Whatever you do, do not forget the commandments of the Lord.’" How do we not forget? Because we have God’s Word before us each day and study it so we can be strong.

Ross on Enduringword.com: “By ‘binding’ and ‘writing’ the teacher is stressing that the teachings become a part of the disciple’s nature.”

Love and faithfulness. A small description of our God. A big description of us if we let the Holy Spirit transform us.

By His Grace . . .

Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good.”

This verse comes from a well-known story in the Bible about Joseph. It tells us what his brothers did to him and how God brought good out of it. So often in our lives something bad happens and we are pressed down and overflow with sadness and grief. We don’t know how or what will happen and we are scared.

God is capable of doing anything at any time for any reason. That includes turning good out of bad. But accepting that when we are troubled comes hard. Our vision is so short and limited we can’t think that in a day, a month, or a year or five years God can and will turn it into good.

God can bring about incredible good from any situation. God overrides evil for eternal good. He wants us to trust Him for the outcome of all that happens.

Biblerepository.com: “This powerful verse teaches us about the incredible ways that God can turn situations that seem wrong into something good. This reveals a profound aspect of God’s character — His ability to see beyond our flaws and failures and use them for a divine purpose . . . ‘but God intended it all for good.’ This shift from harm to good encapsulates the beauty of God’s intervention in our lives. It serves as a reminder that, even when faced with adversity, God’s overarching plan is one of love and restoration. The contrast poses an important reflection on how tragedies and challenges can be woven into a larger, redemptive narrative . . . One of the most powerful lessons is the importance of perspective. Life’s adversities can cloud our vision, making it difficult to see past our immediate pain. Like Joseph, we can choose to shift our focus from the harm done to us toward God’s greater purpose. This necessitates faith — believing that God can turn our trials into triumphs.”

While human intentions may be evil, God can use those very actions for a greater good, demonstrating His sovereignty and purpose in our lives.

When bad things happen, or wrong choices are made, or we grieve over someone else’s choices, God can take that situation and work it for good. Every situation. Every time.

Call out His Name when you find yourself anxious or afraid because of wrongdoing or wrong choices. God always hears. He always works. And He always wins!

By His Grace . . . 

Isaiah 40:28

 

Isaiah 40:28

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the Everlasting God,

    The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

    And His understanding no one can fathom.”

If there’s one thing that’s common among humans, it’s that we all grow tired and weary. And we certainly don’t understand everything. That’s just life. These words in Isaiah about our great God are comforting. He never grows tired or weary. He understands everything.

We don’t have to be concerned whether He really knows what is happening in our life. Whether He knows how much we hurt; how much time something is taking, or if we’ll survive what we’re going through. He knows and understands.

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: “The God who made all things must be infinitely wise. There is proof of boundless skill in the works of His hands, and it is impossible for finite mind fully and adequately to search out all the proofs of His wisdom and skill. Man can see only a part - a small part, while the vast ocean, the boundless deep of His wisdom, lies still unexplored.”

Godsbless.ing: “The phrase ‘He will not grow tired or weary’ contrasts human frailty with divine strength. Unlike humans, who tire and falter, God’s energy and commitment are limitless. ‘His understanding no one can fathom’ highlights the incomprehensible wisdom of God, reminding us that His ways are beyond human understanding . . . Furthermore, the verse also emphasizes that God gives power to the weak and increases the strength of the powerless. This reassures us that we can find renewed strength and energy by putting our trust in Him. Instead of relying solely on our own limited abilities, we can lean on God’s strength to help us overcome our weariness and face our challenges with resilience. We can find the endurance we need to persevere through difficult times by surrendering our burdens to Him and seeking His help.”

These are two attributes of our God that help and guide us through each day. Know and remember this. It’s just two areas of God’s Power that are available to us at all times. Now we know. Now we’ve heard.

By His Grace . . . 

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for saving me. We both know there is nothing I can do or say that would be good enough for You. Thank you for taking me just as I am.

How great is this verse? What a gift we have been given. None of us is righteous, not one of us. God, in His graciousness, has said: “Come to me just as you are.” It is My gift to you.

No matter what we do for God, we would not be excepted by those works. This is a gift beyond expectation because we know ourselves very well. It is a divine gift. It is God’s grace and has nothing to do with human effort.

Godsbless.ing: When Paul writes, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith’ he emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn. The word ‘grace’ here signifies unmerited favor, a gift that is given without any expectation of return. ‘Through faith’ underscores our response to that grace—trusting and believing in God’s promises . . . The phrase ‘and this is not your own doing’ serves as a humbling reminder. Our deeds, no matter how good, cannot earn salvation. ‘It is the gift of God’ reinforces the idea that salvation is a divine gift, freely given out of God’s abundant love . . . Paul continues with, ‘not a result of works, so that no one may boast.’ This statement eradicates any grounds for personal boasting. It draws our attention away from human effort and redirects it to divine grace.”

We only have to believe. No matter what we have done or how bad we think we are, if we believe, it is given to us. Hallelujah!

Enduringword.com: “Paul cannot speak of this glorious work God does without reminding us that it is a gift of grace, given to the undeserving. We are not even saved by our faith (though faith itself is not a work), but by grace through faith . . . God did it not of works simply so that no one could boast. If salvation was the accomplishment of man in any way, we could boast about it. But under God’s plan of salvation, God alone receives the glory.”

Charles Spurgeon: “Our new life is as truly created out of nothing as were the first heavens, and the first earth. This ought to be particularly noticed, for there are some who think that the grace of God improves the old nature into the new. It does nothing of the sort.”

I know how thankful I am that God took me just as I was. I didn’t have to change anything to be saved because He loves me. I just had to believe. I continue to be thankful as He now works in my heart and brings about changes in my life for the better. One day I can thank Him in person.

By His Grace . . .

Psalm 27:13-14

 

Psalm 27:13-14

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.”

At some point in our lives, most of us, if not all of us, have despaired. We have all felt hopeless. We’ve all felt lost. Living is a hard thing.

Thankfully, we believe in God and are kept in His care. We have learned when we reach the point of despair, God is there waiting for us. We turn to Him. We call on Him.

King David knew this. He experienced that. And He believed. That’s what we have to do too.

Godsbless.ing: “Psalm 27:13-14 is a powerful passage that speaks to the themes of faith, patience, and hope in the face of adversity. These verses are attributed to King David, who often faced significant challenges and threats but maintained his trust in God. ‘I remain confident of this’ highlights the unwavering faith and assurance that David has in God’s goodness and deliverance. ‘I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’ emphasizes the belief that God’s blessings and goodness are not just for the afterlife but can be experienced here and now . . . Trusting in God’s timing and remaining faithful is about truly believing in His promises and recognizing that He is in control. It requires patience and a deep understanding that God’s plan is always perfect, even when we may not understand it in the moment. When we have faith in His timing, we are acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours, and we are surrendering our desires and plans to His greater purpose.”

King David was confident and believed, and it made all the difference. If we don’t turn to God when things fall apart, we will fall apart too.

Enduringword.com: “David’s seeking after God, and his knowledge of the Lord, led him to this triumphant statement. He would have given up (lost heart), but he knew that the good God would find a way to show His goodness in this life (as well as the next).”

I like the words “led him to this triumphant statement.” It’s being positive. It’s trusting fully. It’s believing in the One who loves you and cares for you, that will always help you.

Yes, we may despair at certain times in our life, but the answer is always before us. Be strong. Take courage. And believe. Our God is faithful!

By His Grace . . . 

Nehemiah 9:6

 

Nehemiah 9:6

“You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.”

I copied a prayer from the “Book of Common Prayers” to read each morning and one of the lines I like the most is: “I thank you for your creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life.”

We don’t often hear about God’s preservation of all He created. He didn’t just create, but he sustains and preserves everything.

Biblerepository.com: “We must note that God is continually involved in creation. The phrase ‘and thou preservest them all’ reminds us that God sustains everything He has made. Everything we see: the oceans’ tides, the changing seasons, the life cycles of plants and animals—all of these elements are maintained by God.”

Everything He has created is here. It doesn’t change. It doesn’t quietly slip away, never to be seen again. Maybe that’s why we seldom think of this point of His greatness.

Godsbless.ing: “This verse emphasizes that God made the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. This establishes God as the Supreme Being who brought everything into existence. His power is further exemplified in the fact that He preserves and sustains all that He has created. This immense power displays God’s ability to create and control the universe, showcasing His authority and dominion over all . . . God’s great power is shown as foundational to His role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, showcasing His immeasurable strength and majesty.”

God preserves everything, even you and me.

2 Timothy 4:18

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

Biblerepository.com: “The apostle Paul writes about deliverance from evil and the protection and preservation of believers by the Lord. Paul expresses faith in God’s unfailing support and His powerful ability to rescue us from every form of evil. This speaks to God’s character, which embodies not just power but also love and a deep desire for our well-being . . . Paul’s statement that God will preserve him unto His heavenly kingdom testifies to the transient nature of earthly concerns.”

“And You preserve them all.” We’re in good Hands.

By His Grace . . . 

Acts 4:13

 

Acts 4:13

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

These men had been with Jesus. Isn’t that what all of us want to be remembered for? Being with Jesus. Living for Jesus. Sharing Jesus.

Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, but because of their boldness and courage, they were sharing the gospel message. I’m sure most of us have heard this quote before: “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” It, indeed, is a true statement!

Godsbless.ing: “This verse is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit. Despite being uneducated by societal standards, Peter and John exhibited incredible boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Their unwavering commitment to sharing the message of Christ’s love and salvation astounded even the religious leaders of their time . . . This verse reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or education, to spread His word. It is not about our own credentials or eloquence, but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work through us.”

Ask anyone who has been used by God if they felt qualified. I believe most of them will say no. Yet, in God’s miraculous way, He brings opportunities before us, and we find ourselves in situations talking about Jesus that we never thought possible.

Biblerepository.com: “The council realized something unique about Peter and John. Despite their lack of formal education and training, they displayed a wisdom and understanding that came from their relationship with Christ. It shows us that being with Jesus has the power to change us, making us bolder and more confident in our faith . . . Our relationship with Christ can empower us just like it did for them. In life, we may feel unqualified or inadequate for a task, but we can draw confidence from knowing that we are not working in our strength alone. Jesus equips us with what we need when we stay close to Him . . . One of the primary lessons from Acts 4:13 is the importance of spending time with Jesus. The more we immerse ourselves in His teachings, the more we grow in wisdom and the more confident we become in our faith. Our spiritual growth comes not only from reading Scripture but also from praying, worshiping, and being part of a community of believers . . . We also learn about the power of God transforming ordinary people. The Bible is filled with stories of those who were initially unqualified but went on to fulfill God’s calling.”

God opens a way that finds you able to accomplish things you felt unprepared for. When I was asked to talk about the note writing ministry at a conference where I worked, I thought, “How can I do that? I can’t talk in front of people. My mind goes blank.” Then God told me to write down, word for word, what I wanted to share. Trusting in His answer, I did stand up in front of people and told them about this encouraging ministry. I believed in it and could share boldly to a group of people because my word-for- word notes were right in front of me. All I had to do is read them. God directed. I followed. A miracle took place.

I had been with Jesus. You have too. Ask God to direct you so you can do miraculous things for your Lord.

By His Grace . . .