Proverbs 30

So, it's not too late...9:12 pm. So it's still the 30th.

Of course, I'm just gearing up for the 31st...and what an awesome Proverb tomorrow to read through before the beginning of the year. No mistaking why we land on the 31st the day before we turn a new leaf and a new year!

Anyone written goals? Anyone have a verse for the year?

Okay...if not...find some time tomorrow to spend in reflection and dig deep. Let your heart be known to the One who cares most for it. And trust Him with all you are.

Proverbs 30...

I love this Proverb, and honestly, this is probably the first time I've read it in its entirety.

Check out verses 1-3. How many of us can cry this at the end of the day..."I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God [not just ONE weary, but TWO...in my case one "weary" for each child!!]. I am too ignorant to be human, and I lack common sense [like when I forgot about my groceries today in the back of the car and the turkey began to thaw over 8 hours], I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One."

Okay...yikes!

And then follows by v. 5-6 "Every word of God proves true [not MY words...but HIS]. He defends all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, or He may rebuke you, and you will be found a liar."

V. 7-9 "O God, I beg two favors from You before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. [Um...how many of us coming out of the great 2000s would ever have prayed this back then, but now understand the meaning of having enough, but not too much that you become slaves to what you now own??] For if I grow rich, I may deny You and say, "Who is the Lord?" And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name." [Contentment my girls! This is not a lazy man's excuse not to do anything, but it's also not a proud man's excuse to work to the bone so that he may receive everything and every recognition on earth. For what we have and what we achieve is HIS. And when we realize this, then we don't worry about keeping up with the Jones. PS...the Jones's are filing for bankruptcy; you just don't know it!]

v.15-16, v. 18-19, v. 21-23, v. 24-28, and v. 29-31 are a collection of lists that the author observes in nature that show things in nature (and human nature) that he cannot understand or that are amazing. I love that he always says, 'There are three...no four things..." because how many times are our minds as mommies always running behind and adding to our lists?? I know I add to my lists in my sleep! Haaa!

My fav...v.18 "four things I don't understand... (v.19d) how a man loves a woman."

As a wife I had to chuckle...because it's kinda true. How hard to we make it for our man to love us? How many hoops must he jump through, even though we now married, to continue to "win" our affections...and how easy it would be to just love first. Then maybe the author wouldn't be stupified by this whole notion. Hmmm. I'm challenged!

If you are having a hard time reading the version of the Bible you have at home, go to www.blueletterbible.org and on the home page, you can type in the passage and select the version of the Bible you'd like to read it in.

Please keep in mind, that several versions are paraphrased, which means they are not direct translations from the Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). But they do make it quite easy to understand and gleen from!

Some translations to try:
NIV (New International Version)
NASB (New American Standard Version)
NLT (New Living Translation)...This is the Bible I use, only because I can understand it, though it is a paraphrase.

So, mamas! Tomorrow's the BIG PROVERB! Are you ready? And more importantly are you ready for 2010 and all God is going to do in your heart, your life, your marriage, and your family?? Start praying! It's going to be big!

With love!!

Rebecca

PS...If you don't want to receive these, just let me know. I totally won't take it personally! I promise I'll still love you! Heee!