How do you figure the Bible is relevant after all these years? Were not talking a couple decades, were talking 2,000 + years. I'm not questioning the authority or truth of the Bible, that is a different discussion. I'm talking about, if the Bible is true and good, how does it apply to my life? How does it apply to yours? After all these people and Jesus lived in a different world practically. They certainly didn't have the luxuries of Starbucks on every corner....
I have been reading the Bible almost constantly these days, learning, praying, figuring out why God is truth, and yearning to want to know him more. I've spent a great deal of that time in the new testament, as thats where Jesus came in. Why should I read a bunch of history in the old testament? Maybe when I have nothing to do someday, like on a pregnancy leave or something.
What I want is the real life, gritty, get down to living type of stuff. Things that can apply to my everyday life sorta stuff.
Little did I know that very searching would lead me to Proverbs....and guess where that is?
I guess I sometimes forget that, in a complicated triune, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all one. So of course He wouldnt leave us hanging B.C.!
Now, I've always liked proverbs. Especially the whole Proverbs 31 case: "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
DANG JESUS! I'm worth far more than rubies? You can keep goin with that idea!
Well, for once, I read more of Proverbs. More in the beginning of the book. I went to the Proverbs of Solomon. Much of what they say is not only true and good, but EXTREMELY relevant to our everyday lives.
For example: 10:17 "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Think about it: when your disciplined, your life goes somewhere. Whether its in manners, studying, or focus, your life will be on the move. But when you ignore correction, your ganna bring others down with you, one way or the other.
Another verse that goes along with the above:
Chapter 12:1: "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."
Stupid. Its right there in the Bible. Who knew?
Then theres some harder stuff. Stuff thats not always easy to do, but sure looks good on paper.
Chapter 12: 16 "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."
Whew. I know I'm not always prudent.
Chapter 12: 25 "An anxious heart wieghs a man down, but kind word cheers him up."
Thats true where I come from, whata bout you? Now do I do this everyday? Nope. Do I do this everyother day? Nope. When do I do this? I have no idea.
Chapter 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Hmmm....
And then there are verses that are like bombs:
Chapter 20: 6 "Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"
Chapter 21: 2 "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart."
Chapter 21: 30 "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
Whoever said the Bible is life's little instruction book, was wrong. Theres nothing little about it. It takes guts, it takes prudence, it even takes stubborness and a strong will to follow Jesus. It takes another kind of person to go against him. The instructions are laid out, clearly, for everyday living purposes.
My question now isn't Is God here in my everyday life, it's when do I start following him in my everyday life?
"As water reflects the face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Proverbs 27: 19
