August 7 – Guarded by Eye and Heart

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” – Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)

It would be perhaps helpful to understand the phrase “apple of your eye” in its most basic form. This expression refers to the pupil of the eye which, because it is the source of sight, is carefully protected. Deuteronomy 32:10, a portion of the Song of Moses regarding God’s care of His people, “He guarded Him as the pupil of His eye.”  David writes Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” These are promises of how critically important it is that God watches over us. In today’s selected Prover, the son is to guard and protect his father’s teachings because they give him spiritual and moral sight. Binding them on our fingers and writing them on the tablet of our hearts is a a call to give the truth of divine wisdom a permanent place in our mind and in our conduct. That, we keep God’s Word always in sight, and always ready for the present moment. 

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December 8 – Making Heaven Our Treasure Trove

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:21 (ESV)

We do not have to dig very far in our verse to see our promise is today. Where do we find our heart anchored?  It’s where the things we treasure most are. If the things that have the greatest value to us are here on earth, that is where our heart is.  If we treasure the things in heaven, our heart is there. For several reason in previous verses (Matthew 6:19-20) we are told to not store treasure on this earth.  Earthly treasures lose value, if the start out with any in the first place. The clothing we treasure will be deteriorate and become rags because all things are subject to decay. Material trinkets will rust away even when kept carefully. Thieves will steal your valuables treasures. None of these things will happen to the truths which we find in the Word of God and treasure at great value. What does this mean to us? We may favor certain things in our life but nothing should become so much a treasure that it draws us away from the treasure God has given to us in His Word. Let’s use Heaven for our treasure trove.

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November 5 – Seek to Have

“If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5  (NASB)

Yesterday’s promise from God was what comes from fearing the LORD God – a start at knowledge and wisdom.  Today’s verse tells us the promise for those who seek wisdom as if it is a precious metal. But the verses before, (Proverbs 2:1-3) give us more on how we can understand the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.  There are six actions that proceed seeking knowledge as if it is as precious as silver.  Receive the Word of God; Treasure up God’s commandments; Open our ears to what wisdom is saying; Have a heart to receive understanding; Call out for discernment and Speak out for understanding. Effort must be expended for one to become wise. Getting wisdom involves openness, retention, hearing with the ear, applying with the heart, requesting, and diligent searching. This is the pathway to possessing understanding and finding the knowledge of God. A person who strives for wisdom will find that wisdom will enter their heart. Gaining wisdom requires diligence on our part in pursuing God’s will; yet wisdom is a gift, a promise from God. Possession of such knowledge from God results in inner joy and Godly pleasure.

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December 20 – Ponder the Treasure of Christmas

“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19  (NASB)

We have considered and been impressed by the way the virgin Mary fit into God's plans for bringing His Son into this world.  We remember how she praised the Lord God for including her in His plans.  Now, today we want to consider how she reacted when the shepherds came to the manger to tell what the angels had told them.  Mary's example in this verse is a good one for us to follow.  The birth of Jesus was an event of very great importance for each of us.  Where would we be if Jesus had not come?  Because He came, we have the chance to become children of God with a glorious future ahead for us in heaven for eternity.  Instead of getting so involved in activities and preparations these days, so that we get distracted from what Jesus' birth really means for us, let's take time every day to ponder in our hearts and to treasure all these things that have been promised to us.  The real meaning of Christmas is a precious treasure for all of us.   

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October 2 – Hope, Faith, and Love

“...since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”  Colossians 1:4-5a  (ESV)

This may remind us of references in the Bible to faith, hope, and love.  These are, of course, three important results of our Christian lives.  This verse today draws us to consider the close relationship between these three characteristics of living as a Christian.  It is truly our hope, the assured expectation, which strengthens our faith.  And because of our hope and faith we are encouraged in our love for others.  God has promised future blessings in heaven which will be throughout eternity for those who believe in Him and live a life of love.  Doesn't this expectation help us to trust Him more and to love others more?  This seems to be the promise we find in our verse today.  

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