The Light Study #5

Psalm 89:15-18
Happy are the people who know how to praise you. Lord, let them live in the light of your presence. In your name they rejoice and continually praise your goodness. You are their glorious strength, and in your kindness you honor our king. Our king, our shield, belongs to the LORD, to the Holy One of Israel.

• There are ways you can praise God. There has to be knowledge in how to do it, as some KNOW how to praise the Lord. Those who know how to praise God life in the light.

Psalm 97:10-12
People who love the Lord hate evil. The Lord watches over those who follow him and frees them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on those who do right; joy belongs to those who are honest. Rejoice in the LORD, you who do right. Praise his holy name.

• If you love God then you hate evil. Light shines on those who do right. 

Psalm 119:105, 113-114, 117, 120
Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. I hate disloyal people, but I love your teachings. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Help me, and I will be saved. I will always respect your demands. I shake in fear of you; I respect your laws.

• The word is like a light for my path. The word lights the way.

Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep your father's commands, and don't forget your mother's teaching. Keep their words in mind forever as though you had them tied around your neck. They will guide you when you walk. They will guard you when you sleep. They will speak to you when you are awake. These commands are like a lamp; this teaching is like a light. And the correction that comes from them will help you have life.

• Do I look at God's commands like a light? The corrections that come from them give life direction and help me have life. Am I going aimlessly or do I have direction?

Isaiah 5:20-21
How terrible it will be for people who call good things bad and bad things good, who think darkness is light and light is darkness, who think sour is sweet and sweet is sour. How terrible it will be for people who think they are wise and believe they are clever.

• How terrible it will be for people who think that darkness is light and light is darkness.

Humility Study: Part III - Prehonor Rituals

Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

A person who is disciplined has characteristics of humility. So, what does this chapter say about discipline?

• A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
• Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
• He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Not only that, but Proverbs also says this:

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
• My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
• The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:22-23)
• My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. (Proverbs 6:20, 23-24)
• He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
• He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18)
• Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Proverbs 19:18)
• Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:12-14)
• Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs 23:22-24)

If I discipline my son, then... well, there is a good outcome for him. If I don't, then I am an active participant in his death. Wow, talk about severe. And the same goes for God and me. The relationship is that God is to discipline me so that God is not an active participant in my death. I have to listen to the discipline he is feeding me. I have to be humble to the discipline. Otherwise, I am just some stupid idiot.