Proverbs 10:22: Getting!

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

Makes one rich: to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

Sorrow: pain, hurt

Rich. Money. Things. Accumulation. Getting. 

It's amazing how quickly our eyes focus on that word, "rich". Oh, if we only had more money, our lives would be so much better. Really? How much is enough? 

What does it mean to be "rich"? Who sets the standards for how much is enough? Does being rich only involve money and things? Do money and things really bring happiness and joy? 

When we focus on "getting", rather than God, we never seem to have enough and when we lose what we gained, we become discouraged and suffer loss. 

Yes, we are to work and strive—but not to the point where the "getting" outweighs God and doing what God wants. For when we are acting in accordance with God's will, He blesses us abundantly. And that doesn't mean that we will be rich by man's standards. Rather, we will have peace and contentment in God. 

Whatever we receive in the way of providence, has God's blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, and difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God's blessing gives simple enjoyment, and levies no tax upon the comfort. 

Adam Clarke Commentary

On what do I focus? The getting or the Giver? When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then my focus will be on God and obeying His wisdom. 

Abundantly Congratulates!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (EXB)

Gives: apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, cause.

Strength: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong, to be stout.

His people: specifically, a tribe, group of people.

Blesses: abundantly, altogether, congratulate, to kneel.

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, well, favor, friend, rest, safety.

"Peace." There is a threefold "peace," externa, interna, aeterna; temporal, spiritual, celestial peace. There is outward peace, the blessing; inward peace, the grace; and everlasting peace, of glory. And as in a stately palace there is a lodge or court that leads into the inmost goodly rooms, so external peace is the entrance or introduction to the inward lodgings of the sweet peace of conscience and of that eternal rest in which our peace in heaven shall be happy, inasmuch as external peace affords us many accommodations and helps to the gaining and obtaining both the one and the other. - Ephraim Udall. 1642.

The Lord will bless his people with peace - They have nothing to fear in the tempest and storm; nothing to fear from anything. He will bless them with peace in the tempest; He will bless them with peace through that power by which He controls the tempest. Let them, therefore, not fear in the storm, however fiercely it may rage; let them not be afraid in any of the troubles and trials of life. in the storm, and in those troubles and trials, he can make the mind calm; beyond those storms and those troubles he can give them eternal peace in a world where no "angry tempest blows." Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Why do we fight so hard to find peace, contentment, that sence of safety and calmness? God says that He will bless us with peace. It’s there, if we simply want to accept it. Nothing magical. Just accept the peace and completeness God abundantly pours out upon His people. 

Read though Psalm 29 again. The same God who shows His strength and power in the mighty storms, is very able to provide peace. Nothing is too hard for God! Today, I am to have my temporary spinal stimulator wire removed. And I’ll be making a decision on if I should make it permanent, or simply “give up” on the spinal stimulator as a way to reduce my pain. I’ve noticed the last few weeks, as I’ve discussed this with God, He has given me great peace about each step. It’s so great to know that God is listening to me as I talk with Him, and He is giving me guidance and I move forward. 

My Ponder Morsels lately have been “just what I need’. But God knew that too! Blesses His people with peace. God creates a positive day for me as He abundantly congratulates me with His peace.

Triumphant Shouts

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 126. Here is what I learned.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said, “The Lord has done spectacular things for them.” Psalm 126:2 (GW)

Then we were filled with laughter, and we sang happy songs. Then the other nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2 (NCV)

Then: since, at that time, therefore -- beginning, at that time,

Mouths: words, wishes.

Filled: be full of, overflow, fullness.

Laughter: rejoice, make merry, celebrate.

Tongues: organ of singing, speech.

Joyful: cry, gladness, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, triumph, to give a ringing cry.

Nations: the masses, heathen, people.

Said: be or make prominent, boast.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Hath done: accomplish, bestow, furnish.

Great: exceed, excellent, makes it grow; magnify.

For (with): accompanying, by reason of. 

Them: those, another.

There are two responses in Psalm 126:2. The first is a response of those that love God—triumphant shouts!  The second is the response of those that don’t love God—they saw, and boasted, of the goodness of God toward His people.

You can learn about about a person by their actions and reactions. When a person is so excited and happy that joy ‘gushes’ out of them, it makes you smile too. Their happiness is infectious.

Psalm 126:2 adds another dimension to the joy, not only did it produce a loud triumphant shout, but those around knew the reason for the joy and singing—all the blessings God had provided for His people.

So, I’m not just to be “happy”. I’m to be OVERJOYED and SHOUT ........ um shout about what? That I’m just happy? No. I’m to shout triumphantly about the goodness of God.  My joyful shouting and singing is due to the fact that God has/is taking care of me. He has done great and marvelous things and will continue to do great and marvelous things. 

To create a positive day, my triumphant shouts need to include the reason for (and source of) my joy — God’s mighty exceedingly abundant goodness.

Unleashed!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Twenty-eigth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 33. Here's what Treasure I found today.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:21, 22 (NLT)

For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name.  Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You. Psalm 33:21, 22 (AMP)

Because (for): assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless.

Heart: inner man, mind, will, heart, courage, strength, “head & heart”. 

Rejoice: cheer up, be make glad, have, make joyful, be make merry, cause to, make to rejoice.

Trust: be bold confident, secure, sure.

Holy: consecrated thing, dedicated thing, hallowed thing, holiness, most holy.

Name: implication honor, authority, character.

Let: accomplished, committed, to exist.

Loving-kindness: To be kind, abundant, plenteous in kindness, to be good.

As: cause to ascend up, above, according to.

We: who, which, what, that, when—whosoever.

Hope: to be patient, cause to, have, make to hope, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

Where do I find joy? Is there a reason to rejoice? 

Assuredly, I put my courage and strength, in God and that action (putting my confidence) in God is in itself an occasion to rejoice. Always, in each and every circumstance—the act of trusting in the Name (character, God Himself) of God—the source of joy—will produce joy!

As I trust, wait upon God, stay contently with God, His abundant kindness and goodness will exist in my life. 

So the act of trust produces not only joy, but “unleashes” God’s abundant goodness to me, His child. If I want to experience pure joy and abundant goodness, I must place all my confidence—both my “head and heart” —in God and God alone. 

Any day that I have God’s joy and abundant goodness unleashed on me... creates an awesome positive day!