Stirred By The Scriptures

My family asked me this morning if something was bothering me. They based their question not on anything I had said but by the look on my face. We can convey so much by the looks we give people. Proverbs reminds us of that - “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart…” Why not try that today? Allow a smile on your face to brighten someone else’s day.

We are going to leave Proverbs 15 for a day. We watched our three grand kids last night - what a joy! Stella who is our youngest was hungry and started to sing at the top of her lungs. While Suzi got her bottle ready I continued to hold her and she kept crying. What struck me was her crying would stop in just a minute yet there are babies all around the world who would keep crying because they didn’t have food. Our travels have opened our eyes to a world that looks very different than ours. I am left being very grateful for all I have and at the same time committed to do what I can to help others in the name of Jesus.

“The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” Verse 8 of Proverbs 15 is one of many reminders in the Bible that it is how not what that matters.  God is deeply concerned with who we are (how our heart is towards him) much more so than what we do.  We tend to judge people based on what we see them doing - not so with God.  Before I go to do good thongs I need to be willing to examine my motives.

I remember singing to our girls a song about Santa Claus, that my parents sang to me. Some of the words are - “He sees you when your sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.” Cute song but only a myth. However there is one who is real and who does see all - God. Listen to the words of Proverbs 15:3. “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” It is a simple reminder that there is no part of my life that isn’t observed by the Lord and if my desire is to please him I need to know he is watching.