God’s Wisdom

Proverbs 17:22, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:14, John 15:10-11, Luke 24:45-53

 

When we celebrate a New Year, we never know what the year will bring.  This year, my sweet dad passed away in May, and our cheerful Aunt Maureen on my husband’s side, passed away in June.  After they were received by Jesus, I felt some happiness for them, but I felt more sadness after their departure from Earth.  My daughter, Emily, called the blow of loss, “a deep wound.”  She’s so right. 

As tears intermittently flowed after triggers from reminders of my loved ones, I realized I had been crying too much.  I started to get concerned that my numb sad state could turn into depression, and hurt my health.  During that time, I believe the Holy Spirit helped me to remember Proverbs 17:22 that says, “²² A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  Prior to that day, I had focused mostly on the first part of that verse, about a happy heart being like medication.  I decided to park on the second part of the verse.  It was basically about sadness hurting bone health.  Curious, I searched depression and bone health.  The Columbia University Department of Psychiatry said on April 4, 2023, 

“A number of studies have found a link between depression and bone health. Some indicate reduced bone mineral density, accelerated bone loss or an increased risk of fractures among those who are depressed compared to those who are not. The mechanisms that underlie this relationship are still not known.”

 

God is wise.  God made us, so “the mechanisms that underlie this relationship are” known to Him.

 

So back to the first part of Proverbs 17:22 about the happy heart.  I need to be happy.  We need to be happy. Here’s Scripture to support that:

 

 

John 16:33

³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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1 Peter 4:14

¹⁴ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

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John 15:10-11

 

¹⁰ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

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Luke 24:45-53

 

⁴⁵ Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

⁴⁶ And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

⁴⁷ And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

⁴⁸ And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹ And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

⁵¹ And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

⁵² And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

⁵³ And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

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“Every Thought”

2 Corinthians 10:5

On a cold overcast day, I saw a broken sign that formerly said, “Parking in rear.”  The “Par”, and the first “r” in the third word were mostly gone, leaving the words, “king in ear.”

A recent sermon brought up a picture of two cartoon dogs by a food bowl.  One was a big bad dog, and the other was a small good dog.  The pastor asked the congregation which dog they feed.

Since the good dog represents listening to Jesus, that’s where “king in ear” comes in.  We should desire King Jesus’ words of wisdom to be in our ears, whether through a sermon, or another way, like an audio Bible app.  In 2 Corinthians 10:5b, Paul said, “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

 

Picking Up the Pieces

Romans 8:28

On August 10, 2020, a derecho did a lot of damage.  Many massive trees were broken or uprooted.  Fast-forward to April 4, 2021.  On an Easter walk, my son kicked a piece of wood at our nearby park.  On closer inspection, it looked like the shape of a watermelon slice, and I wanted to paint it.  I later called and got permission for my family to gather pieces of leftover wood from the derecho.  Then, we painted each piece according to what we thought the shape resembled.  The largest wood slice was from our own front tree we lost to the derecho.

Sometimes life can look like the aftermath of a storm with wood pieces strewn all over the place.  But God can pick up the pieces, and help things make sense to us.  Romans 8:28 says, “²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

A Broken Bike

Isaiah 46:4

About a month ago, I noticed a man crossing a road carrying a bike.  Something was wrong with that picture.  When he got to a sidewalk, he immediately looked over his bike.  It was broken.

Like the broken bike, as we’re on the path of life, we’re broken too.  But God can carry us.  Isaiah 46:4 is a comforting verse about God sustaining, carrying and rescuing.