Proverbs 29, 30, 31

Well, I have to say that I far underestmated the quantity of time and effort that was necessary to produce a wedding ceremony. Although I fell behind this week, I am committed to finishing proverbs so I have finished thes last 3 chapters in the few quiet moments that I have left before everything gets going.

From chapter 29, verse 25 stood out to me, "fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.". Proverbs started with defining in a few different ways what it meant to fear the Lord. As I remember this, it seems appropriate to have a reminder that fear of men has no place in our lives, only Him who provides for us. I know that there are plenty of ways where it is easy to get caught up fearing men, but I have to remember that it is the Lord that s always watching over me and not someone else.

Proverbs 30:5-6 says, "every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those wh take refuge in Him. Do not add to his words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.". I think this is another healthy reminder as I end this focused devotion to God as Proverbs applies to marriage, to remember what God is saying and to take care to interpret what is written correctly. It can be esy for me sometimes to work scripture into an outcome that is preferrable in my eyes, but that is not what God wants, and that is not my job as husband to Susan. I need to seek God in reading scripture so that I can present the best version of myself to God and to Susan so that I represent the purposes that God has for me well.

And finally, Proverbs 31, a fitting end to this month of prayer and reflection. Verses 10-11 stand out to me especially because as I read them I am reminded of Susan, "a wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.". This is exactly how I see Susan. She is always doing the right thing and putting God at the front. I am so pleased that God ha brought me suach a noble woman. I don't know of anything worth more in this world than having her as my wife. Once again, I am reminded that God has knitted His plans for our lives since the beginning. In retrospect, it has all worked out to be such a perfect outcome. I am grateful to God every day for how He has blessed me with Susan.

Thank you all for following along and giving me your thoughts and encouragements. I'm glad to call you all family and friends. Please continue to pray for Susan and I as we start the rest of our lives.

Warmly,
Bob
-Bob

Proverbs 28

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of undersanding and knowledge maintains order. (Verse 2)

One of the things that we have covered quite extensively in our church classes are the roles of men. What was presented to us was that men have a greater responsibility in the home to fulfill roles than do women. This is because both men and women are programmed with their own roles, but it is the man's responsibility to first take his roles. Then it is natural for a woman to take on her godly roles. However, if I do not do this diligently every day, we've learned that our wives will pick up where we stop and take on roles that we are not fulfilling. In this way they are providig for their own needs when we as men choose not to.

I'm aware of this and of verse 2 and I am committed to the roles that God asks of me. I am to provide, protect, initiate, and be a source of God in the home. Although proverbs 2 mentions a country, I think it is also solidifying that I must fulfill these godly roles that are asked of me, otherwise there will be rebellion, dissention, argument, and a feeling of distance between Susan and I. Of course I don't always know how to fulfill these roles for every circumstance and every occassion, but I trust God to lead me as long as I am open to the paths and roles that He puts before me. I Love Susan and want to provide for her, protect her, initiate where needed in any matter, and finally be a source of God in our marriage. I ask god to lead me in the ways that will help me to fulfill these roles.

-Bob

Proverbs 27

He is is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man that strays from his home. (Verses 7-8)

I can honestly say that I am truly excited to marry Susan. However I think that there is a warning in these verses. No matter how excited I am and how strongly I commit today, I think I would be a fool to think that the devil will not try to attack me and attempt to undermine my committment wherever he could. I think the warning here is to 1) remember how green the grass is on my side of the fence, especially since I am just now starting marriage and experiencing a life together with susan, and 2) to be wary of straying. A nest for a bird offers protection and provision. I kow how that the Lord is pleased with me marrying Susan, but I also know that He is free to lift His protection and provision if I am not fulfilling my committment at home with Susan. I am resolved to take heed to this warning and to not stray but also to remember how sweet the honey is that God gave me.
-Bob

Proverbs 26

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (verse 12)

Proverbs 26 is all about identifying the bahaviors of the fool, so that, in my opinion, we can learn and be better by it. Nothing is worse than a man that thinks more highly of himself than he should. In that regard, I am to make sure that I have a humble heart and that my actions are not haughty. Proverbs 26 syas that there is a rod for the backs of fools and that I will dig a pit or move a rock only to fall in or have it roll back.

I must keep away from the behaviors in this chapter so that I don't bring on calamity for my house and also so that I set the right example for the type of behavior that our house will stand for.
-Bob