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Incline your heart to understanding... Proverbs 2:2b God does not begrudge our desire to understand. Rather, He delights to instruct us in His ways. Lifeway, Explore the Bible, Summer 2007

.if you call out for insight and understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5 Wouldn’t it be nice to know the right answers in life?

He has a storehouse of sound wisdom for the upright… Proverbs 2:7a …  ( Click for more )

Turn to my correction, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:23 The repentant will always discover the true origin of the miseries which overtake them. John Calvin, 1509-64, French reformer, theologian

They would not accept My counsel, They spurned all My reproof. They will eat of the fruit of their own way.. Proverbs 1:30-31a I insisted on it and now it has become my shame. Brenda Folz, Christian Precepts teacher

.the complacency of the foolish will destroy them. Proverbs 1:32 When comforts…  ( Click for more )

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.. Proverbs 1:7a When a man becomes a committed to God, he sooner or later sees the falsity, the illusions, and the limitations of the humanist geocentric way of thinking. J.B. Phillips 1906-82, English Bible scholar, translator, author, clergyman

Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7b Proud of their own wisdom, fools will not learn. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92

Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching . they are a graceful wreath to your head And…  ( Click for more )

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David .. To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, Proverbs 1:1-2 Knowing and applying God’s precepts save us from learning the same thing through painful experiences.

The proverbs of Solomon - To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity.. Proverbs 1:1,3 Learn to be the man who lifts the age you inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime. Maxwell Anderson, 1888-1959, US dramatist

The proverbs of Solomon .. To give prudence to the…  ( Click for more )

The Lord also has taken away your sin;.. But because by doing this, you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt.. 2 Samuel 12:13,14a

.our sins give ammunition to unbelievers. God’s reputation is tarnished and His name is blasphemed. Alan Carr, Expository Sermon Notes, Calvary Baptist, Lenoir, NC

(To David) The Lord . has taken away your sin; you shall not die. However, the child . that is born to you shall surely die. 2 Samuel 12:13c,14b

God prefers mercy and kindness and goodness, but is forced by His holiness to give us the best of…  ( Click for more )

The Lord supports the afflicted.. Psalm 147:6a We cannot control the circumstances of life but we can take a humble attitude toward God who takes a special interest in us and will help us handle our circumstances. Warren Wiersbe, American pastor, prolific writer Christian literature, b.1929

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 What God has been to any man He will be to every man, if the man will let Him. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher

The Lord takes pleasure…  ( Click for more )

Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. Psalm 146:3 If ultimate confidence rest in man, it is an optimism which will suffer ultimate disillusionment. Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971, Am theologian, ethicist, public intellectual, political commentator, professor

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob. Psalm 146:5a The goodness of God knows how to use our disordered wishes and actions, often lovingly turning them to our advantage while always preserving the beauty of his order. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090–1153, French…  ( Click for more )

The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. Psalm 145:8 Oh, Lord, I am astonished at the difference between my receivings and my deservings. Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, 1600/1700s

The Lord is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9 Should not the children of God be like their Father in kindness? Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834-92

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13 What a blessing that in a world of uncertainties…  ( Click for more )

(God to David through Nathan) I made you king over Israel and Judah. I freed you from the fist of Saul. I gave you . wives to have and to hold. And if that hadn't been enough, I'd have gladly thrown in much more. So why . evil? 2 Samuel 12:7-9

It is ungrateful to covet what God has prohibited, while we have liberty to pray for what God has promised, and that is enough. Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, was a Welsh-born, English nonconformist minister and Bible commentator.

(God through Nathan to David) Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil.? You…  ( Click for more )

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God.. Psalm 143:10a When we realize and embrace the Lord’s will for us, we will love to do it. Franklin Graham

Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10b The Pilot knows the unknown seas, And he will bring us through. John Oxenham, 1861-1941, English journalist, novelist, poet Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. Psalm 144:4 There are three important questions to ask ourselves: 1) who am I? 2) Why am I here? 3) Where am I going? Doug Sager, Senior Pastor, 1st Baptist…  ( Click for more )

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 Not only say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult, leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. George Sala, 1828-95, English journalist

Do not let my heart be inclined to any evil thing.. Psalm 141:4a People do not decide to be murderers, addicts, thieves, drunkards, even proud or lazy but they pitch their tent toward Sodom, and the powers of evil overcome them. John H. Eastwood, 1911-2007, author, seminary professor, army chaplain

Let the righteous…  ( Click for more )

(After failing to get Uriah to go home to Bathsheba to cover his adultery with her) David wrote a letter to Joab (his ruthless commander) and sent it by the hand of Uriah (to make sure Uriah would die in battle) 2 Samuel 11:14,15

Sin always takes you farther than you want to go. Trent Stewart, Grace, Knoxville

(Obeying David’s order to get Uriah killed, Joab deliberately sent soldiers too close to the enemy and sent this message to David) the archers shot at your servants from the wall; 18 of the king's servants are dead (including the priest), and your…  ( Click for more )

“.whenever the (evil) spirit (allowed by God) was upon Saul, David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him (for a time). 1 Samuel 16:23

Just because youcannot alleviate the problem, you can help alleviate the suffering.

.the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle . Judah. And Saul and the men of Israel . drew up battle array against the Philistines. The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with…  ( Click for more )

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b

Do not look upon the vessel, but upon what it holds. Hebrew proverb

(One by one) Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said ., ‘The Lord has not chosen these (to be king) . Are these all the children?’ (Jesse) said, ‘There remains yet the youngest . tending the sheep.” 1 Samuel 16:10,11

The ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer. Thomas…  ( Click for more )

Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. (Saul never sought Samuel again for advise or to ask God for forgiveness)And the Lord (did not change His mind about removing Saul and his family line from ruling Israel). 1 Samuel 15:35

The love of God, with arms extended on a cross, bars the way to hell. But if that love is ignored, rejected, and finally refused, there comes a time when love can only weep while man pushes past into the self-chosen alienation which Christ went to the cross to avert. Michael Green (1930–) …  ( Click for more )

And everyone who was in distress, . in debt, and .was discontented gathered to (David at the cave). So he became captain over (about 400 of) them. 1 Samuel 22:2

Only theperson of worth can recognize the worth in others.. Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher, Author

(David requests refuge for his parents with the King of Moab saying). ‘til I know what God will do for me.’" 1 Samuel 22:3,4

Hope forthe best; get ready for the worst; then take what God chooses to send.

. prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold…  ( Click for more )

(Jonathan warns David to flee for his life and then) . they kissed one another (custom of time and place) and they wept together, but David more so. 1 Samuel 20:41

(keep in mind both men were valiant warriors)

Authentic men aren’t afraid to show affection, release their feelings, hug their children, cry when they’re sad. Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )

Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, "May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants,…  ( Click for more )

Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David . Now Jonathan . caused David to vow (in agreement with the covenant), because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 1 Samuel 20:1

The value of a friend comes and goes, but mutual commitment holds the relationship together.

(after Jonathan sets up a plan to warn David to flee or stay, he says). And as for (our covenant of friendship), indeed the Lord be between you and me forever." 1 Samuel 20:23

Man's ways are variable, but God's ways are everlasting. Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-92)…  ( Click for more )

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? Psalm 13:1 When He is out of our sight; we are not out of His. Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, was a Welsh-born, English nonconformist minister and Bible commentator

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? Psalm 13:2a

Anxiety erodes the soul raw. We beg relief – some salve – oh God, yet we demand answers we have engineered as if they are derived in perfect wisdom. Must we languish on in such pain when relief is but to trust in Your ultimate…  ( Click for more )

The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things; . “With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?" Psalm 12:3,4

Birds are entangled by their feet and men by their tongues. Sir Thomas Fuller, 1608-61 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise, says the Lord; I will set him in the safety for which he yearns. Psalm 12:5 God’s help comes, not too soon, lest we should not know the blessedness of trusting in the dark; and not too late, lest we should know…  ( Click for more )

(Psalm of David) Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. Psalm 140:1a,3a When lying tongues are busy against our reputation, do not defend yourself but move your case to a higher court, and plead before the great King himself. CH Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist

Keep me, O Lord . Preserve me from men Who have purposed to trip up my feet. Psalm 140:4 Many slip when the road is not slippery, and many a man, by God’s grace, stands fast where it seems a miracle…  ( Click for more )

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Psalm 139:15 The body is matter, but it is God’s creation - when it is neglected or scoffed at, God himself is insulted. Michel Quoist, 1918-97, French Catholic priest, theologian, writer

Your eyes have watched me grow from conception to birth; And in Your book were written all The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16 The clearer your picture of what God has for your life, the easier it will be…  ( Click for more )

If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. Psalm 139:9-10 Just as the distance between us and God makes no separation and the gulf is one that is bridged over by His love, so distance in time leads to no exhaustion of the divine faithfulness and care, nor any diminution of the resources of His grace. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher

If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," But…  ( Click for more )

You know my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 Many say in their hearts, "God seeth them not," while with their tongues they confess he is an all seeing God. Joseph Caryl, 1602-73, English Independent minister

You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. Psalm 139:4 (Message) Heed words not yet spoken that the Holy Spirit may affect their delivery. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 When a man becomes conscious of…  ( Click for more )