Proverbs 3:16-18: False Advertisement?

Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3:16-18

Length of days: according to (the length of) thy life

Her right hand/left hand: wisdom personified

Riches: far richer, wealth, fortune

Honor: splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

Ways: duty, journey, manner

Pleasantness: agreeableness, delight, suitableness,

Paths: course of life

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, safety

Tree: figurative of source of (life and) happiness

Life: sources (origin and direction) of life

Take hold of: seize, catch

Happy: be made happy, blessed

Retain: grasp, lay hold of

As I read these verses, it reminded me an advertisement. Look at all the great things wisdom has to offer! And unlike most advertisements today, there are not adverse side-effects. 

Perhaps some are thinking as they read these verses, that Wisdom is participating in false advertising. They aren't rich, their life isn't "delightful", they aren't content, they aren't happy—rather they are struggling and frustrated and overwhelmed with life and responsibilities. 

Yes, life and responsibilities can be hard, however, when handled with true wisdom, decisions are easier and we have peace that God is in control and overseeing each and every detail. We can rest and relax in the safety of God Almighty. 

There is no false advertisement here regarding what Wisdom offers. Rather, if we are not enjoying the God given bounties of peace and joy—it's that we are not receiving His gift of wisdom. Remember a heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), to accept Wisdom and life in accordance to that wisdom. No false advertisement here—just false reality for not applying wisdom correctly. 

False Seekers

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 62. Here is what I learned.

They are planning to make that person ·fall [totter]. They enjoy telling lies. With their mouths they bless  but in their ·hearts [L innards] they curse. ·Selah [Interlude] Psalm 62:4 (EXB)

Their only purpose in life is to knock him down from his prominent position; they love deceit. When others are around, they speak a blessing on someone, but inwardly they are mumbling a curse. [pause] Psalm 62:4 (VOICE)

They plan to force him out of his high position. They are happy to lie. They bless with their mouths,  but in their hearts they curse. Selah Psalm 62:4 (GW)

"They only consult to cast him down from his excellency." The excellencies of the righteous are obnoxious to the wicked, and the main object of their fury. The elevation which God gives to the godly in Providence, or in repute, is also the envy of the baser sort, and they labour to pull them down to their own level. Observe the concentration of malice upon one point only, as here set in contrast with the sole reliance of the gracious one upon his Lord. If the wicked could but ruin the work of grace in us, they would be content; to crush our character, to overturn our influence, is the object of their consultation.

"They delight in lies;" hence they hate the truth and the truthful, and by falsehood endeavor to compass their overthrow. To lie is bad enough, but to delight in it is one of the blackest marks of infamy. "They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly." Flattery has ever been a favorite weapon with the enemies of good men; they can curse bitterly enough when it serves their turn; meanwhile, since it answers their purpose, they mask their wrath, and with smooth words pretend to bless those whom they would willingly tear in pieces. It was fortunate for David that he was well practised in silence, for to cozening deceivers there is no other safe reply. "Selah." Here pause, and consider with astonishment the futile rancour of unholy men, and the perfect security of such as rest themselves upon the Lord. The Treasury of David

"They delight in lies;" hence they hate the truth and the truthful, and by falsehood endeavor to compass their overthrow. 

There are many who hate the truth and will do everything they can to discredit or cause  harm to those who speak and live the truth. What is truth? Truth is based on absolute. And the only real absolute is God. Thus, those that despise truth, despise God and therefore, will do all they can do discredit anyone who believes God and obeys God’s Word. 

To create a positive day, I need to continue to believe the truth, and act about true knowledge and not be concerned with what the “false seekers” say. 

Fill my Cup!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 16. Here is what I learned.

The Lord is my inheritance and my cup. You are the one who determines my destiny. Psalm 16:5 (GW)

You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches. Psalm 16:5 (VOICE)

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. Psalm 16:5 (NLT)

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup." With what confidence and bounding joy does Jesus turn to Jehovah, whom his soul possessed and delighted in! Content beyond measure with his portion in the Lord his God, he had not a single desire with which to hunt after other gods; his cup was full, and his heart was full too......

He is our portion, supplying all our necessities, and our cup yielding royal luxuries; our cup in this life, and our inheritance in the life to come. As children of the Father who is in heaven, we inherit, by virtue of our joint heirship with Jesus, all the riches of the covenant of grace. The Treasury of David

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance. The meaning here is, that Yahweh was the being whom the psalmist worshipped as God, and that he sought no possession or comfort which did not proceed from him.

And my cup. The idea here is this: "The cup that I drink - that cheers, refreshes, and sustains me - is the Lord. I find comfort, refreshment, happiness, in him alone; not in the intoxicating bowl; not in sensual joys; but in God - in his being, perfections, friendship."

Thou maintainest my lot - Thou dost defend my portion, or that which is allotted to me. The reference is to what he specifies in the following verse as his inheritance, and he says that that which was so valuable to him was sustained or preserved by God. He was the portion of his soul; he was the source of all his joy; he maintained or preserved all that was dear to his heart. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Cheers, refreshes, and sustains me.... I find comfort, refreshment, happiness.... in God—in His being, perfections, friendship. Wow. The source of my refreshment and sustaining happiness is God. He is the eternal spring of life, that continues to supply the cool refreshing joy that only God can give. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure my “cup” is emptied of all the false fillers the world gives and allow God to fill my cup with His blessings!