Daily Verse

Ancient Landmarks – Day Two

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Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is strong, He will plead their cause against you. Proverbs 23:10-11 ESV

Yesterday we read in Proverbs chapter twenty-two, that, it is wrong to move the landmarks that God has chosen for our lives. In chapter twenty-three, Solomon returns to landmarks, warning us to never move a neighbor’s landmark in order to steal the inheritance that God has chosen for them.

Now, we might say, “Boy I would never do that!” thinking that God is only talking about possessions or property. But when we add things like, “Who impressed mom and dad the most with their school project, who was promoted at work, or why did brother Bob get elected as deacon instead of me?” the truth hits closer to home. Wishing for the most love and attention in our family, the fastest advancement at work, or the power positions in church, are red flags warning us to check our motives. Maybe mom and dad, just assumed you knew they loved you equally, the promotion you missed would have robbed you of time needed with your children, or that brother Bob was the perfect guy to deal with finding the best contractor to repair the church roof. Manipulating people, pretending interest, flattery, or even outright lies, can crop up like weeds in the garden of our hearts if we aren’t careful.

Solomon also points out that there are consequences of moving the landmarks of others for our own advantage, because there is someone watching over us both. Our watcher is strong, and whether he will be our opponent or our Redeemer depends on our choices. Yes, sometimes life is hard, the future looks bleak and we feel alone, but stealing the inheritance that belongs to others is never the answer, because God’s plan is perfect. The ancient walls that He chose to surround our inheritances, do not separate, or restrict us, instead they tell us that we are neighbors. And if God made us neighbors, then remember what He said about neighbors:

“And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself!” Matthew 22:39 ESV

Ancient Landmarks – Part One

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Do not move the ancient landmark that your father have set. Proverbs 22:28 ESV
Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless. 
Proverbs 23:10 ESV

In my recent daily Bible reading, I became intrigued with how Solomon talks of ancient landmarks in subsequent chapters. Now the phrase “ancient landmark” used here isn’t the kind of landmark we think of, such as Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. These landmarks were the ancient boundary lines spoken of in the book of Deuteronomy, which designated the inheritance of each tribe, family and individual. These boundaries were not self-imposed ones decided on by people. Instead, these were the hills and valleys, streams and wilderness areas chosen by God and given to them. Think of the stone walls, which Robert Frost spoke of in his poem, “Mending Wall” where he tells us.

“Good fences make good neighbors.”

Today, we often fear barriers of any kind, considering them to be restrictions, preventing us from experiencing or having something better. These ancient fences which God has placed between us, are given not to divide us, but rather to assign us each a responsibility. And in these two verses in Proverbs Solomon warns us of two opposite errors. Today we are focusing on the first: not trading away our own ancient landmark. We are not to give away, what God has chosen for us, though it may seem right and good and profitable in the moment, as in did for the prodigal, when he headed for a far-off city. The life God had chosen for us is best and no amount of gain, excitement or prestige can better His eternal plan. God has set boundary lines to protect, not restrict us, and our contentment comes when we accept those limits, plant our own gardens, and dig our own wells. If we will just trust the limits God has set, the time will come for an abundant harvest, when God’s blessings overflow so much, that we will have more than enough for our family and then an abundance to share with others!

Holding Little Debbie

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The eternal God is your refuge and His everlasting arms are under you... Deuteronomy 27:33a NLT

On Friday nights, when our children were small and we wanted to go out, we used to trade baby-sitting duties with another couple. Sometimes they would take our two rambunctious boys, and on others we would watch their three active girls. Kathy and Susie, the two older girls, were easy to watch and when their bedtime came, they generally lay down and slept after a good-night prayer and kiss. But little Debbie, wanted nothing to do with going to sleep that way. For some reason she would only be quiet if I picked her up and gently rocked her as I walked back and forth in our apartment. Then slowly she would doze off, and I could sit down in my easy chair. But anytime I tried to quietly lay her down on the bed, to sleep, the very second her tiny body touched the comforter, she would wake up and begin fussing. Then with a sigh, I would pick her back up again and hold her close until she went back to sleep. Now, God may have everlasting arms, but I do not! Let me tell you, that as much as I loved little Debbie, I was never so glad to see Ken and Linda when they came to pick up their kids!

Those long-ago memories still give me a chuckle and remind me of my own relationship with God. He prepares me for many things, but often, just like my little friend I am fearful and feel unready for them. I want to feel those everlasting arms holding and rocking me all the time. God has promised to never leave us, and yet there are times He would like us to trust Him enough to just lie down and rest a while. But He is also a patient Father, knowing our weaknesses and fears, and when we cry out, He comes and again with those everlasting arms, picks us up and holds us. What a comfort to know that whatever we are going through, we can always count on His everlasting arms and know that one day in His perfect time they will carry us all the way home!

I do hope you enjoy hearing again this simple rendering of the old hymn which we sang at Life Care this week. Have a blessed weekend everybody!