Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Our text today is Proverbs 29:20.

“Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

I doubt if any of us would question the truth of this verse. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we say something before we think.

In Judges 11, when Jephthah was called upon to lead Israel against the enemy, he made a rash vow. He promised God, “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” He should have thought about it a little longer. He had the victory, and when he returned home, it was his daughter, his only child, who came out to meet him. He certainly regretted his rash vow.

On a more positive note, we all should appreciate Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers.”

By pausing to think before we speak, we show respect for others and ourselves. Our words gain weight, meaning, and kindness.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our Scripture for today is Matthew 11:15:

“He who has ears, let him hear.”

That seems like an odd statement.

I once posed a knowingly odd question to my friend’s five-year-old daughter. I asked, “Have you thoroughly contemplated the logical ramifications entailed in the theological dictums I have espoused?”

Her response? “No.” When I asked if she understood what I’d said, she answered, “I think you said you wanted to baptize me.”

Sometimes, our words fall on deaf ears. Not because of physical deafness, but because the message isn’t worth hearing or is beyond the listener’s comprehension.

When Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” it wasn’t odd or silly. After his teaching, he would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” What he was telling them was, you need to think about this. It is important!

Imagine being in the presence of the Son of God, hearing his wisdom firsthand, yet letting his words slip away like sand through your fingers. What a missed opportunity! While we can’t hear Jesus in person today, we’re still called to listen intently to his teachings.

So, when do we lack “ears to hear”?

• When our Bibles gather dust on the shelf.
• When our lives are so hectic that we can’t spare a moment for his words.
• When pride blinds us to the wisdom in God’s word.

If you have ears to hear, you will listen. If you seldom hear him, maybe you haven’t opened your heart or ears to him.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our Scripture today is Genesis 25:8-9.

“At a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him.”

These word are a description of Abraham’s death. All I can say is, I want to die like that, old and contented, with my family around me. 

After all, we are not made for here. We are made for there. All death is, is that day when we cross over to the next reality – eternity. 

The story is told that in a small village, there was a minister known for his gentle spirit. A young girl named Sarah fell gravely ill. Her time on earth was drawing to a close.

The minister, seeing her sorrow, spoke to her.

“Sarah,” he began, “do you remember how your father would carry you in his arms when you were tired or scared? How safe and loved you felt?”

“Yes,” she said, “I remember.—I was never afraid when Daddy was with me.”

“Well, Sarah,” the minister said, “soon you will be going to another room, a place called Heaven. And just like your father carried you in his arms, your Heavenly Father will carry you there. It is just moving from one room to another.”

Sarah’s eyes shone with a newfound peace. “I won’t be afraid, then,” she said softly. “I know I will be safe in God’s arms.”

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Forgiving the Unforgivable

Our text is Genesis 50:20.

“As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.”

Here’s the backstory for this amazing scripture. Joseph had eleven brothers who threw him into a pit, sold him as a slave, and deceived their father into believing that a wild animal had killed him. Years later, they found themselves living in Egypt, a land essentially ruled by the very brother they had sold into slavery.

Imagine being in Joseph’s position. If your siblings had sold you as a slave, would you be able to forgive them? Listen to Joseph’s words to them, “You meant it for harm, but God intended it for good.” 

I admire that kind of heart. Not only did Joseph forgive his brothers, but he also welcomed them back into his life. Joseph also adds, “Do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Despite being sold into slavery and enduring many years of hardship, Joseph embraced his brothers again. 

I will leave you with the words of another writer: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

A Thief in the Family

Our text for today is Proverbs 28:24:

“He who robs his father or mother, saying, ‘It is not wrong,’ is a companion to the man who destroys.”

Living a long life allows you to witness many things. I’ve seen grown children, aware that their last parent is dying, enter the house and take valuable items. This certainly fits today’s proverb, but robbing one’s parents can take many forms. Financial exploitation, neglecting the care of elderly parents, misusing their money, failing to provide needed support, or being disrespectful and ungrateful are all ways of robbing them.

You might think, “I would never do that.” Yet, it is common enough that 2,800 years ago, the wise man had to warn against it. Notice especially the last part of the verse: “He who robs his father or mother, saying, ‘It is not wrong,’ is a companion to the man who destroys.” This means that mistreating your parents makes you akin to someone who causes great harm.

I’m blessed in that my kids treat me better than I could ever deserve, but this is a warning we all need to hear and perhaps share with a friend.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our text today is Proverbs 29:18.

“Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.”

One poet said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” We all need a vision for what we want to be. However, today’s text does not talk about this kind of vision. The “vision” here is not a dream or a goal, but a word, a revelation from God.

What Proverbs tells us is, “When people lack divine guidance, they lose their way.”

In 1962, we removed prayer to God from our schools. Since then, we hauled away statues of the Ten Commandments from our courthouses. We prosecuted coaches who dared to pray before the violent sport of football. Crime runs rampant in our streets.

When I read this verse, I understand why there is sin all around us.

In times like these, we must remember that Christians before us lived under repressive leaders who would kill them for being Christians. We are blessed to live in a time where we vote, read our Bibles, and worship openly.

This proverb is a personal message for us about how we will accept God’s revelation.

Read and treasure it so that we don’t lose our way.

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our text for today is Proverbs 29:25

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

This verse highlights the dangers of allowing fear of others to control us. Fear can be a trap that leads us into a web of anxiety, insecurity, and compromised integrity. When we are overly concerned with others’ opinions or reactions, we risk becoming ensnared in unhealthy behaviors and decisions.

Imagine living in constant worry about how others perceive you. This fear can drive you to act against your values and beliefs just to gain approval or avoid criticism. You may find yourself agreeing to things you disagree with or avoiding necessary but difficult conversations.

The anxiety and insecurity bred by this fear are crippling. They can consume your thoughts, making you second-guess every decision and action. This mental burden hampers your ability to live freely and confidently.

The second part of the verse offers a solution to fear: “but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Trusting in God provides a solid foundation, freeing us from the need to seek validation from others. By focusing on God’s approval rather than man’s, we avoid the snare of fear and live a more authentic, fulfilling life.

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Do You Want Peace?

Our text today is Proverbs 30:33: “For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so stirring up anger brings forth strife.”

This proverb, with its vivid imagery, reminds us that our actions have inevitable consequences. Just as churning milk produces butter and twisting a nose causes bleeding, provoking anger leads to conflict. Husbands and wives who have been married for a while know how to push each other’s buttons. However, wise couples avoid doing so, understanding that certain behaviors naturally lead to specific outcomes. Those who seek peace steer clear of actions that incite anger.

Some outcomes are as predictable as the laws of nature. Churning milk and twisting a nose are simple actions with clear results. Similarly, our emotional responses and actions follow a natural progression. Depending on how we manage them, they can be either constructive or destructive.

If we desire a life of peace, we must avoid actions that lead to strife. By controlling our temper and reactions, we can foster peace in our relationships and communities. Just as we choose not to churn milk or twist a nose unnecessarily, we can choose not to stir up anger. In doing so, we create an environment of peace around us.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom comes from Proverbs 28:19.

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

This verse teaches two important lessons:

First, the verse tells us that hard work is important. “He who works his land will have abundant food” means that if you work hard at what you do, you will be rewarded. This can be true for a job, chores, or any other task. When you put in the effort and stay committed, you will get good results and have what you need. Hard work leads to good things in life.

Second, the verse warns against chasing fantasies. “He who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty” means that if you spend your time on impossible or foolish ideas, you will end up with nothing. Things like trying to get rich quickly, gambling, or unrealistic career goals can lead to disappointment and financial trouble. It’s better to set realistic goals and work steadily towards them.

So, the next time you find yourself daydreaming about quick success or easy money, remember this proverb. Focus on putting in the work where it matters, and you’ll find that real success comes from dedication and effort, not from chasing fantasies.

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom today is Proverbs 28:26:

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.”

This verse warns us against being too self-reliant. I believe in self-reliance, but we should not lean on our own thinking completely. Unless…

Unless you don’t live near or know anyone who is as smart as you are.
Unless you don’t have smart parents.
Unless you don’t feel you can trust God’s word.

You should trust yourself at least sometimes, but never be the only one you trust. Five hundred years after Solomon shared this wisdom, Socrates said, “Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, and stupid people already have all the answers.”

That is saying much the same thing. If you are smart, if you are wise, you will learn from everything and everyone. If you are an average Joe, you have to make your own mistakes to learn anything. If you are foolish, you think you already have all the answers and don’t trust anyone else. You don’t even need to trust God.

As a youth, my mother always warned me to be careful of the word “fool.” I understand that, but Solomon said, “He who trusts in himself is a fool.”

Rather than that, be wise and trust God. Know what God tells you to do.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.