ABOMINABLE
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An open market in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. Today’s reading speaks to us of the dishonest use of weights and measures in doing business. These people establish the price by bartering. It seems they are disappointed if one does not haggle. Perhaps it’s their entertainment.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 20:23
Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false balance is not good.
Twice the word “abomination” appears in Proverbs 20. Synonyms could be “disgrace” or “obscenity.” The dictionary calls it “a thing that causes disgust.” It comes from a Latin word that means to “detest” or “loath.” God is obviously concerned with everyday life and the dishonesty that often accompanies our earthly existence. In this case, fraudulent scales are called an “abomination.”
The final verse in this chapter reads, “Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart.” Have we asked, “Why is this happening to me?” Chances are the answer is “Yes!” I have asked that question. As with all of the Proverbs, it will be helpful if we can find the time to pause in our reading and meditate on what we’ve just read. This is not mindless meditation on a meaningless word, sometimes called a mantra, but this calls for deep thought and a change of mind.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You show concern for the details of my life. I pray that Your Teacher, Holy Spirit, will explain to me the matters that are important to You and give me grace to change, so that I may become more like Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus! In His Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I confess that I avoid the shopping experience whenever possible. Norma-Jean and I have helped many people experience Jerusalem by organizing tours over the years. Norma-Jean has taken mainly women into the Old City of Jerusalem for a shopping experience. She loves bargaining. As a man I feel somewhat claustrophobic in those narrow aisles called streets (photo above).
I heard the story of two young boys on their way to two different Sunday Schools. One said to the other, “I go to a different abomination than you do.” Okay… it’s a joke. He meant to say, “denomination.”
Yours for good shopping this Christmas season, and for good television viewing. Here’s a link to Christmas productions from Crossroads called Journey to Christmas (click here to watch the trailer and here to order the video),
David
Thank you Padtor David for encouraging us everyday. I am so emotional this morning after seeing the trailer of The journey to Christmas. It much be amazing to be their where Jesus lived and died for US. We can’t have Christmas without the Cross. Have a Blessed Lord’s Day everyone. Eleanor M.
Today’s scripture reading is important. I remember watching an investigate report about The House of Prayer in Atlanta, Georgia; the members practiced severe punishment of their children and whipped them at the altar during services based on their interpretation of scripture, Proverbs 20:30 being one of them: “Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.” Police were involved, charges laid against the pastor and other members who served time. Some generations repeated the same patterns, and raised their kids the same way they had been; it was very troubling. They lacked education and wisdom. I would provide links but I don’t want to sway from the goodness of the blog and rest of Proverbs 20, i.e. 27: “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.”
Today is a very special anniversary day for me. Thank you saints for keeping me in your continued prayers, as I hold you in mine. Worshipping you, today, Lord, and giving thanks and praise for Your loving mercy and grace in my life. All for Your glory! Amen, amen and amen!
“Rain, rain
Beating against the pane!
How endlessly it pours
Out of doors
From the blackened sky–
I wonder why!
Flowers, flowers,
Springing up after showers,
Blossoming fresh and fair,
Everywhere!
God has now explained
Why it rained!”
“You can always count on God to make the “afterward” of difficulties, if rightly overcome, a thousand times richer and fairer than the forward. “No chastening… seemeth joyous, nevertheless afterward…” What a yield!”
Streams in the Desert, Cowman, November 29
Oceans Will Part, Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Uj_B0KNgU
thank you Beverlee for sharing your heart…He is our Healer!!!!!
also the beautiful poem…thank you!!
I was not impressed with David Mainse talking about how he strapped some children when he was a teacher! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!
It is most disturbing when I hear of so called CHRISTIANS beating children or adults…….
One blog has me really upset! I get so weak at the knees thinking about anyone hitting children ! In my opinion those people should go to hell!
My dad hit me once and never again, he never could catch me, it hurt and I nearly killed him…….
a slap, punch, whipping, no wonder we have so much violence,
a gentle touch, a hug, a smile, a warm cup of hot chocolate, yes, it takes weeks sometimes to get to the bottom of a violent epsiode, but the results are that the spirit of the people can start on a healing journey!
The only thing that I am sure of is that there is God, He is the Triune God! I do believe that! I also believe that God set up a plan FOR ALL MANKIND TO GO TO HEAVEN! He did this by using 3 nails and 2 boards!
He did this by allowing His Son, Jesus Christ to be born, go on that walk to the Garden where Jesus knelt down to pray and drops of blood came flowing down and Jesus even said “If there is another way Father, let it happen, if not, then I need to do this and trust You dear Father…..You say I will be back in 3 days!
then there was the betrayal through a kiss!
then the soliders beat and whipped Jesus, tell me how that could have been fun, don’t you think it hurt, and why? for the same way that bullies think they are so smart even today, well, they are not, they are very, very sick people who need counselling, need to get help…
Yes hitting people is just plain stupid, ignorant.
I am also very aware that we can hurt people through our thoughts, words and deeds! We have discussed all these things on this blog!
I am very thankful for this blog, it helps to “vent” certain feelings! LORD FORGIVE FOR I HAVE SINNED!
Sah, take heart, for God sees and knows the actions and hearts of all men, women, children. I am praying the angels are with you, now, and throughout the coming days. God loves you, so, Sah. Amen!
Pastor David, I like the way you examine the proverbs point by point, verse by verse. For there is so much to chew on in each of them. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to guide us along every morning. Much appreciated!!!
Accompanied by your illustrative life stories, and pictures.
Your ministry and that of your loved ones is truly a blessing!!!
Amen, Irene, amen!