"Ponder" of the Week
* Read and reread the scripture each day.
* Ask God to show you His truth through His Word.
* Ponder the scripture as you go about your day.
* Keep a record of your spiritual growth and understanding.
See thoughts on how to ponder on the "Ponder' of the Week" main page and on the HOME page
Week 12/8-14/2024 Suggested Scripture to Ponder this week:
Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
And lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct thy paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
​
Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)
​
Commentary:
God alone is wise (I Timothy 1:17). He knows what is best for us. He knows the future. He knows the consequences of our smallest decisions. We can rely and rest in Him.
Human nature has a tendency to compartmentalize everything. We put different aspects of our lives in separate "boxes." Our job is one box. Our money is another. Our family in yet another. Our own desires also are in a special box. And our spiritual life and growth is sometimes in yet another separate box. Is God first in all aspects of our life? or just the "spiritual" box?
We need to put God first in all the boxes (Colossians 3:17). We need to seek Him in every decision. Read again II Peter 1:5-7. These verses describe the process of cultivating a desire to know Him and grow to be like Him. Many Christians seem to take the first step of salvation (faith) and then seek to please Him (virtue), but slip into a pattern of trying to just "be good" with their own human wisdom and determination, and never move on to knowledge, much less self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
Like stunted plants, they struggle with the flesh, while refusing to satisfy their need for God's Word and a closer relationship with the Lord. God is Lord and Savior for ALL of our being, not just the Sunday morning box. He is Lord of all, or Lord of nothing. If He is only Lord of our designated "spiritual" box, then other things are actually lord of the rest of our lives. We cannot serve idols and God.