March 15, 2024 -- Proverbs 15:33 -- Strength for today's battle
/The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33 ESV
Do you know that really good feeling you get after a dental hygienist has cleaned your teeth? You realize water can swish in between teeth you never realized had a space. Sternly your dentist warns you to floss after every meal. You listen, for a few days and then, well, life intervenes and you realize you are too lazy to keep at it. Your chiropractor adjusts your back. Finally you have freedom of movement and relief. What a great feeling it is. You are given a list of exercises, morning and evening routines to get your back limbered up and freely moving. Since you already feel good, you put the list in a safe place, in case you need it. And very soon afterwards, your back is as crooked as ever. There is no fear of your dentist. There is no fear of your chiropractor. You just want relief, right now. As soon as you have it, you walk away completely forgetful of your former aches and pains.
The fear of the LORD is similar. The one who truly fears the LORD not only listens, he receives the instruction necessary to change his life. The one who fears the LORD puts into practice what the LORD has commanded. For His commandments are life and health and blessing. Whatever it is the LORD has given His people to do is life for them--here on earth and life that stretches in the glory of His presence through all eternity.
Humility is immediately appended to this Proverb. Unless one is humble enough to see his error and know his need for the instruction of Jesus—Who is for us wisdom incarnate—a man will stay bound up in his pride and so, he will not be honoured by the LORD. Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18a). The Father in heaven Who has given life and all blessing in Jesus will not allow His Son to be scorned or mocked. The man who is humble of heart learns from Jesus (Who is gentle and lowly of heart—Matthew 11:29) and in the way of Jesus finds rest for his soul and joy in obedience.
Dedication to Duty
(This is from the R.C.A.F. the chaplain makes the affirmation and the service men and women invoke God’s will in fulfilment. This part is in italics)
We, who have heard the call to service, shall learn the lore of our calling, follow its precepts and walk earnestly in its ways.
God, make us earnest in our task.
We shall keep our hearts true, our minds alert, and our bodies sound, and we shall be diligent in the study of our craft.
God, make us diligent in our craft.
Acknowledging God’s gift in all our powers, we shall be proud of the manifold mysteries of our craft, the intricate contrivances of hand and brain, the dominion over great forces.
God give us the proper pride in our craft.
We shall be members one of another and we shall love the fellowship of our craft.
God make us good comrades.
At all times of trial and adversity, in hunger or thirst, in heart or cold, in rain or storm, seeking our strength from God, we shall endure cheerfully in the way of our duty.
God make us cheerful in adversity.
Proud of our craft and giving in all things of our best each aiding the other and blending our gifts in loyal harmony we shall devote our hearts and minds to the honour and advancement of our Service, to the glory of God, and to the safety and welfare of our Nation.
God, give us strength and purpose so to do.
from DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, Canada 1950, page 40
https://youtu.be/johgSkNj3-A?si=-4kx58vqUhNa-vvR Phil Wickham “The Battle Belongs”
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