hope – Robin Writes

Kindness and Truth – Thoughts on Proverbs 3:3-4

Posted on November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 by Robin House

Proverbs 3 instructs – Write kindness and truth on the tablet of your heart, and bind them around your neck. In doing so, you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

Thinking on these verses, traveling through the construction zone along I-20 through Bossier City comes to mind. For the next year or so, traffic will be confined to one lane for several miles through our community. Signs leading up to the merge into one lane of traffic warn travelers that things are going to get slower and be congested. Many are in a hurry and impatient not wanting to wait their turn in the “line” as they approach the construction area. Some seem to go unusually slow in the open lane anticipating and accepting the delay and disgruntled drivers beside them as well as behind them. Some stay in the closing merging lane driving as fast as they can before hitting the last possible traffic cone in the the closing lane as they merge in forcing themselves into the slower, single lane of traffic ahead of as many cars and trucks as possible.

Though not a fan of construction zones, one thing of note this time in the construction zone is positioning the police cars ahead of the merge with their lights flashing 24/7. It is a big attention grabber to see those bright lights at night as well as in the daytime to seemingly say to us, “Hey, watch out! Think about what is coming up soon! Your attention is needed now! Considerations will need to be made! Be prepared for the unexpected! Watch out now how you proceed and take your time!” The constant presence of the police cars with their flashing lights seems to have really helped traffic move along with less difficulties, back ups, and slow downs as well as potentially preventing accidents and saving many lives.

In today’s world, many seem to have lost the concept of developing their knowledge of truth. In Solomon’s book of Proverbs, Solomon writes a warning to his son (like the police posted before the construction zone) to have knowledge of truth and develop forethought. He calls his son to recognize the possible dangers upcoming in his path through life and to not to be naive. He calls his son to gain not only knowledge, but wisdom in its use as well. Knowledge of facts without knowing how to use those facts and information reveals a lack of wisdom.

Most drivers know the rules of the road, but knowing how to apply and use those rules of the road shows wisdom. In Proverbs 3, Solomon entreats his child to understand and know kindness and truth so well that kindness and truth are inscribed or etched into his heart. Kindness and a knowledge of the truth are also to be bound around his neck. Like the flashing lights on the police car positioned before the construction, we would be wise to have knowledge of what is true and a commitment to kindness at the heart of all we do. A necklace bound around the neck is often one of the first things a person notices about someone they greet. Are kindness and truth in us seen by others? Do kindness and truth show in our attitudes and actions? Solomon was the wisest man to live because he sought the Lord’s wisdom above all else. His Proverbs, written thousands of years ago, are still true and useful today. His admonition to be kind is still so important and necessary. Recognizing truth is not always what we want to see. Kindness is not always what we want to give either.

As we travel through the construction zones of our lives, let us recognize the truths before us and use that knowledge to safely proceed through this often difficult and short life. Let us learn from and act on truth with the wisdom that God promises to all who ask in faith. (James 1:5-6) Let us also remember to always be kind to our fellow man who may or may not be aware of the truth or understand the dangers and delays ahead of them. When we show kindness and stand for and in truth, we will please both God and man.

Let’s think on these things…. Philippians 4:4-9

Spring

Posted on April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 by Robin House

There’s a yellow mist
Of pollen in the air.
The flowers are all blooming
Without a worry or a care.

The rain clouds loom heavy
Making the sky look dimly gray,
As the wind blows so gently
Through the trees and shrubs today.

The miracle of life
Is seen in every spring,
From the flowers that grow
To the birds that sweetly sing.

Life is renewed
After the long winter cold,
As spring shows off
With colors so bright and bold.

And so it was like spring
Many centuries ago
When God brought forth His Son
For all man to see and know.

God’s plan so full of hope,
So bountiful and free –
Bought by Christ’s own blood
On Calvary’s cursed tree.

Through Christ’s death on a cross
Eternal life came to man
After the winter of sin and death.
Hope and new life springs forth again.

So when you think of springtime,
I hope that you will see
God’s gift and gracious plan –
Redeeming love – for you and me.

How can we run and not get weary? Isaiah answers.

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Robin House

Isaiah 40 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

When our hope is in the Lord, He will sustain us. He will help us be strong. He will help us soar and succeed. Trust in the Lord. Give Him your burdens. He can handle it all, and He will.
RRH 01/15/2021