Day 7 - Proverbs 7 . . . and the Never-Ending Battle of Good vs. Evil)

Have you ever just been overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness??? Just over the past few days I've seen it, folks! I've felt His blessings on me and my house. We'd had some pretty cool things happen just since Christmas and I'm not stupid enough to say it was luck or coincidence! I KNOW that everything that happens in my life is by the Lord's doing. I know it like I know my name is Jen. I trust that with all my heart. I believe my heart is on a direct line to the Lord and He knows my deepest desires AND my worries and fears. Will bad things happen? Yes. Does the Lord cause it? NO! Because the Lord IS NOT BAD! BUT, listen to this: The Lord can make good come from any bad situation. It's true! We were just talking in my 3rd grade class about which is more powerful: a pitch black room or a simple little flashlight? The flashlight is. No darkness can win over light. My third graders' memory verse this week is one we should ALL remember and carry in our hearts: Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." What does that have to do with Proverbs 7??? Hmmmm . . . I don't know. Perhaps it's an illustration of the never-ending battle of good vs. evil. But don't take my word for it. Decide for yourself . . .

Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

¹ My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. ² Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. ³ Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” ⁵ They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. ⁶ At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. ⁷ I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. ⁸ He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house ⁹ at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. ¹⁰ Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. ¹¹ (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; ¹² now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) ¹³ She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: ¹⁴ “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. ¹⁵ So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! ¹⁶ I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. ¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. ¹⁸ Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! ¹⁹ My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. ²⁰ He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." ²¹ With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. ²² All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose ²³ till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. ²⁴ Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. ²⁵ Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. ²⁶ Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. ²⁷ Her house is a highway to the grave,leading down to the chambers of death.