Daily Bible Reading - February 26, 2017

Today's Reading:

Matthew 6:19-34

Exodus 35:1-36:38

Proverbs 16

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:

This morning, I'm going to focus my commentary upon a verse in Proverbs 16.  In Proverbs 16:3, we read:
 
"Commit thy works unto the Lord (Yahweh), and thy thoughts shall be established." 

In just looking at this verse, one can quickly see that there is more in it than is clear at just a surface reading. This means that "this is an E-sword moment" (a good time to look up the verse in E-sword). 

The word "commit" is translated from the original Hebrew word:

גָּלַל  (gâlal)

Galal is a very visual word. It means "to roll" in something to the degree that you are "wallowing" in it. 

So, before we try to develop that concept further, let's look at the next word...  "Works". "Works" is translated from the original Hebrew word:

מַעֲשֶׂה  (ma‛ăśeh)

Ma'aseh means "a transaction, activity, product, property, act, art, bakemeat, business, deed, labour, thing made, occupation, operation, possession, handywork, workmanship, (anything) wrought."

Putting the two concepts together, with the fuller meaning we have gained by looking it up in the Strong's Concordance (via E-sword), we find this message:

Commit so fully to God in every area of your life that all of your creativity, business, activities and transactions are "rolled" in is Will and Word...  Do this so fully that His Way covers and infuses all that you do.

Then there is the second part of Proverbs 16:3, which gives the Promise of what God will do in your life, if you commit every aspect of it to Him in this manner. It says that your "thoughts" will be "established". To understand this part of the verse, we'll look these key words up in E-sword also.

"Thoughts" is Strong's Concordance number 4284:

מַחֲשֶׁבֶת    מַחֲשָׁבָה   (machăshâbâh)  
 
This word means "intention, plan, cunning (work), (whatever you) devise, imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought".

Finally, "established" in Proverbs 16:3 is translated from the Hebrew word:

כּוּן   (kûn)

This word applies literally, meaning that whatever we do will be "established, fixed," and will "stand firm" and "tarry" (still be standing for a very long time). It also applies figuratively, meaning that whatever we do will be "perfect, proper, or prosperous".

Wow! What a message - and what a promise. This concept is also given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9-14. He Paul tells us that we are to be "wise masterbuilders" in all that we say and do. This building that we engage in is of far greater value than anything money can buy. Christ is our Foundation. And upon the Foundation of doing His Will, we "build" our "works". One day, at the end of our lives, our life-work will be tried by fire. This is a reference to the purging Fire which rains down from Heaven and consumes this sinful world (Revelation 19-21). 

On that Day, our life-work will be judged by Fire. And it is on that Day that your life-work will be exposed to determine what sort it was. If it was only earthly work - lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life - it will be burned up and consumed. Only Eternal Work, that which is done for the glory of God and the saving of souls, will pass the Fire Test.

1 Corinthians 3:9-14 "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a Reward."

Think about it, dear ones...  How are you spending your life moments? In what sort of work do you engage? Do you commit yourself to the Father's Will? Are you living your life in such a way that your talents and time are consumed in doing that which has Eternal Value? If so, your Work will stand the test of Fire. Glory to God!

"Commit thy works unto the Lord (Yahweh), and thy thoughts shall be established."