| Author | Message | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 451 Registered: 2-2010 |
I did a word study (if you can call it that) on Proverbs 3:5,6 this afternoon and wanted to share what I came up with. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 One of the things that has changed for me since being born again is that the Word of God has so much more meaning for me. Things that once sounded like Hallmark Card quotes now have meaning that pour into every aspect of my day. Another change for me has been my reliance on my good old dictionary. I have learned over the last year and a half that words meant different things to me as an Adventist. Now it is not only my theology I am relearning, it is my vocabulary too. My understanding of the depth of our language is growing because of this. Yes, I am talking about English. You see, sarcasm and compromise have been monsters in my life, and they have even infiltrated my understanding of my language. I have had to teach myself that when the inspired words of the Holy Bible were written, they meant what they said and they still do. I have come to rely on the purest definition of the words I read because the Bible is pure, true, and honest. I realize that since I do not read Greek or Hebrew I cannot be an expert on their intended meaning, but I have come to see that having a dictionary close by can still bring things out of the text that a casual read of my limited understanding of even English cannot show. So, as I read God’s word I very often keep a dictionary close by. The first time I did this I learned that God’s promise of salvation to those who simply believe the *truth* about the gospel is real and permanent. I highly recommend spending time in Ephesians 1:13-14 with a good dictionary in your hand. And so, this afternoon I decided to use this method when looking at the “Hallmark Card” of texts that I used frequently and didn’t really understand well as an Adventist-- Proverbs 3:5,6. First I'll share the definitions, then my best attempt at putting it all together. ____________________________ TRUST: to place confidence in: depend on : to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of : believe : to hope or expect confidently IN THE LORD WITH All: the whole amount, quantity, or extent of : every member or individual component of YOUR HEART: the central or innermost part AND LEAN: to rely for support or inspiration NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING: a mental grasp : comprehension : the power of comprehending; especially the capacity to apprehend general relations of particulars : the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories : friendly or harmonious relationship : an agreement of opinion or feeling IN ALL: the whole amount, quantity, or extent of : every member or individual component of YOUR WAYS: characteristic, regular, or habitual manner or mode of being, behaving, or happening ACKNOWLEDGE: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of : to express gratitude or obligation for : to make known the receipt of : to recognize as genuine or valid HIM: ABBA AND HE WILL: used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness: used to express inevitability MAKE: to cause to be or become STRAIGHT: to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth YOUR PATH: the path, way, passing of life (fig.) way of living (fig.) And so here is my best attempt at putting it together: Place your confidence in the truthfulness and accuracy of the Lord, expect confidently from Him with every member and individual component of your innermost parts and do not rely on your own mental grasp, comprehension, and need to make your experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories to them as a way of providing you support or inspiration. In every component of your being, behaving and personal characteristics express gratitude, obligation to, and recognize the authority and validity of our Abba Father, showing that you have received Him; and He inevitably will cause your way of living to be just, lawful, smooth, and upright. I think this means we give up having the right to understand every confusing detail about life, theology and God in order to fit our experience into a box that allows us to feel good about our logical decision for Jesus. It means being OK with being confused, and being OK with not having all the answers. It means submitting to Him in everything and placing our "understanding" on the alter- or better, at the foot of the cross. Then it means that we make intentional choices in everything we think and do to Acknowledge (to recognize the rights and authority, or status of : to express gratitude or obligation for : to make known the receipt of : to recognize as genuine or valid) Jesus Christ as Lord of all. After that, He takes care of the rest.  This is no easy task… but it is one with rewards far beyond that fading momentary sense of stability that comes when everything appears to fit in the right boxes. (Message edited by free2dance on August 25, 2011) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12892 Registered: 12-2003  |
Free, thank you. This is really insightful...and you've shared with us a wonderful way to study! Colleen | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 1183 Registered: 10-2008 |
Free2dance, I needed your post today ... learning to trust Him with some difficult things .... Thanks, JRT | ||
| Harpazo Registered user Username: Harpazo Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2010 |
Free, your writing is as beautiful as you are. (No bias here I am sure) Thank you for taking the time to share your study. The difficulty you mentioned reminds me of a description a friend of mine gave. "It is like stepping off a ledge or cliff without knowing where your feet will land and discovering an invisible floor to support you" (roughly paraphrased) Once we take that step He can show us the support He had for us all along. He will lead us into holiness. | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1599 Registered: 12-2007  |
I really, REALLY like it Francie | ||
| Mkfound Registered user Username: Mkfound Post Number: 145 Registered: 1-2011 |
hi Free2dance, I think I'll incorporate your ideas into my Bible readings. Thank-you. | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 455 Registered: 2-2010 |
I am so glad it was helpful and worth sharing. I always walk away blessed when I study that way. I don't do it all the time, but when I do I always learn something new from the text. (((JRT))), I am praying for you. Harpazo, bias you are-- but I'm ok with that. (Message edited by free2dance on August 27, 2011) |
