Verse of the Day

I have a small but growing list of friends on Facebook. Some of those friends are former students of mine during the five years I was graced with the honor of teaching Bible and Music at the Southfield Christian School [Southfield, MI] - from 1972-1977. I have so many cherished memories of those days and the many incredibly talented young men and women that were in my choir, band, and Bible classes.

About thirty-five years ago I began meeting with a dozen or so young men every Wednesday morning during the school year. One of them would bring some fruit juice and/or milk to share; another would stop at Dunkin' Donuts and select a baker's dozen of donuts to pass around - and all of them would bring their Bibles. Our goal each week was to read and discuss one chapter from the Book of Proverbs. [Okay, one year we also studied Gene Getz's classic, "The Measure of a Man"]. I recall sharing with them back then that for several years I had been reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, the chapter corresponding with the day of the month [chapter one on the first day of the month; chapter two on the second day of the month, etc.]. At that pace I would read the entire Book once through each month, twelve times through each year. I was a young single man who was only a few years older than the oldest ones in the group - somewhat like a big brother to them; perhaps almost a father figure [or significant other adult] to the younger ones. I do know that several of them began the same practice back then.

I have continued that discipline for the past thirty-five years. To this very day I never cease to be amazed at the unfathomable depths of wisdom, knowledge and understanding in that beautiful book of poetry in the Hebrew Bible. I am challenged and encouraged daily as I try to squeeze out every ounce of the refreshing and nourishing spiritual nutriments that saturate each line of every verse. It reminds me on this thirteenth day of November of a statement found in the thirteenth section of Psalm 119: "How sweet Your word is to my my taste - sweeter than honey to my mouth" [Psalm 119:103].

As I observe the generation of young men coming up through the ranks behind me, I am excited about those who share the Psalmist's passion for the incomparable and indestructible "inscripturated" Word of God. But, frankly, I am brokenhearted by those who esteem the so-called wisdom of men above the eternal and supernal Word of God; who arrogantly and defiantly neglect and reject God's inspired, inerrant and infallible revelation for man's flawed, foolish, illogical, nonsensical, ludicrous and preposterous "speculation." David, the shepherd and songwriter of Israel explains, "You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word." How could anyone who claims to know and love and serve God do any less?

My "verse of the day" for today, November 13, is from Proverbs 13. It is especially for all of you "young" men - [that is, from my aged perspective, fifty-nine and younger]: "A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a mocker doesn't listen to rebuke" [Proverbs 13:1].

Okay... Here is your "bonus" verse: "The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded" [Proverbs 13:13].

Hey, man: Wise up!

God knows what He's about!

If my recollection is correct (though, admittedly, it is becoming increasingly fuzzy with each passing year), I first saw this poem about twenty-five years ago - early in my pastoral ministry. I just recently stumbled upon it again. I still don't know who the author is - but it seems to me that A. W. Tozer's well-known "one-liner" essentially sums up the point of this piece: "It's doubtful that God can use any man greatly until He's hurt him deeply."

When I reread this poem this morning, it helped me regain some perspective on recent events in my life. I was both challenged and encouraged by it. I hope and pray my dear readers will be, too.

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!

How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He's about.

Anonymous

Wow! The truth of that last line gives me both comfort and courage:

GOD KNOWS WHAT HE'S ABOUT!
Have a BLESSED day!