“As Snow in Summer”...the Wayfarer12/13/13

“As Snow in Summer”
12/13/13

“As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.”

(Proverbs 26:1)

Today, we return to Proverbs for our scriptural guidance.  As I have stated before, the wisdom there, is, and has been, a great comfort to my heart over the years of my life. Answers to most of life’s questions are there if one but turn to its pages and look.

If one pay attention, the teachings of our savior, Jesus, are also to be found within the words it contains. Remember part of the formula is to Seek!

“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow, by flying, so the curse shall not causeless come”

(Proverbs 26:2)

This verse taken in conjunction with the first are, by themselves, worthy of noting, and of heeding as we try to navigate the briar patch of life the tar-baby that is our soul has been thrown into at birth.

Like the tar-baby from Uncle Remus, whatever situation we are thrown into will stick to us. It is up to us to use the tools available as did Brer Rabbit, to get unstuck!

Honor is not something easily found these days, as lacking in most as loyalty, and truth!

When all of life’s problems attack, physical, spiritual or otherwise, there is a cause and a reason behind those attacks.

 They are either a test of strength, or a burden brought about by a failure of that test of strength.

Anything we find ourselves going through comes from one of two sources, and the solution to the situation must be the result of figuring out the initiator of it!

If it is test, it may be that it comes from God, in preparation for a higher mission, or greater blessing if you prove worthy.

If from His adversary, it is a way to distract from a mission, and an attempt to steal an intended blessing.

“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

(Proverbs 26:3)

Just as the animals domesticated by us must be disciplined if to be any use in serving us, so too must mankind expect that same discipline from our Heavenly father when it is required.

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.”

(Proverbs 26:4-10)

Caution must be taken in consideration of those on whom we decide to rely.

 If we attempt to find the answers in the railings and admonitions of those who, themselves, wander blindly, seeking only the allure of a physical world, it is far too easy to fall into the same method of thought, thus reducing our own effectiveness in finding and accomplishing what is intended to be our own purpose.

The more we listen to folks like that, the more positive they are of their own importance and that the spiritual necessities are not necessary at all.

When given a nice pretty, and eloquent speech, pay attention to both the words said, and those not said, as well as to who it is that is saying them!

Always keep in mind that the only one who will give out the just rewards to each of us is none other than God himself, and that those rewards will be given in accordance with our faith and loyalty to the Master.

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.”

(Proverbs 26:11&12)

If we refuse to learn from past mistakes, we are bound to repeat them over and over, which will invariably hamper our progress toward the goal set before us initially.

Heed the advice of those who also search diligently for the correct answers to this test of life. No one has all the correct answers and solutions for themselves or anyone else. If they say they do, then they must fall within the category depicted by that 12^th verse.

The only surety of finding the right solutions and answers, come through asking the only one truly having those answers. God alone!

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render reason,”

(Proverbs 26:13-16)

Those unwilling to work on any problems that they may face, or assist when asked to help others, will continually find excuse for their laziness!

Blame will be attached to everything and everyone except the one responsible.

When given guidance, it will be ignored because of an unwillingness to listen to those who could help solve and correct whatever situation needs correction, and will be justified by proceeding with their own plan of attack, whether it has been attempted before and failed, or not!

“He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

As a mad man who casteth firebrands and arrows, and death,

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”

(Proverbs 26:17-20)

Mind your own business! Interfering in the problems of others, when not asked for help cannot fail but to make a bad situation worse.

When asked for guidance, give it to the one asking, but do not promote the problem by gossiping about it.

If you don’t have the answer, just say so, and allow proper advice to be given by the one having it…again God alone!

Some situations will resolve themselves, if given the opportunity to do so without outside interference!

“As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

(Proverbs 26:21-28)

Those who stir the pot for their own benefit must eventually spill part of its contents on themselves.

I have heard much of what the preceding passage tells us described as Karma.

I choose instead to call it what it truly is, the will, and wrath of God when He is ignored!

There are more than a few who willingly and intentionally stir up strife in the lives of others for their own entertainment, or benefit in some capacity.

These too will eventually face the judgment of that wrathful God!

Wounds are abundant in each and every human we come into contact with. Some are self-inflicted; some brought about intentionally by others they have trusted enough to listen to whose own intent had none of the honor spoken of in the opening verse.

Whatever the cause of the wound, healing can only begin in the hands of one capable of healing, not in the hands of the unknowing or uncaring.

When listening to advice given, consider carefully the source. Rely completely on answers given in the scriptures that are already available for the reading if one but bother to look, and rely more importantly on God for those answers.

I cannot, and will not, state that I personally have all the answers to all the questions that arise in life, for either myself, or anyone else.

I do, however, know where to find those answers! They begin and end with God and what he has planned for us if we allow ourselves to search out his intent, and our own through prayer…Prayer that must first be conveyed through the auspices of a sacrificed savior who continually has the ear of God, and whose own ear we continually have, if we but listen first to what he has had to say to us…

“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Then and then only, may we also get those answers, and share them with others by honoring the sole commandment he left us to love one another!

I close as always, nothing more nor less than that same simple sinner, saved by grace through faith in that same savior and intercessor, with complete confidence and knowledge, that the correct answers are available and will be given when properly asked through Him. I also remain soldier and servant in His charge, until such time as I am released from the bondage that is an inherent part of a temporal life, savoring the time yet to come when that bondage is completed, and my purpose has been served.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer