Keep Walking... 2010 Memory Passage #6

Um, yeah... I'm a day late. : ) Here's what I'm studying and memorizing:

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:11-13

Here's what I'm loving/learning about this passage:

"I guide you": implies shooting or throwing... like aiming an arrow or something at a target.

"I guide you... and lead you...": not just that God "will" guide and lead me - as in a future promise - but NOW. Every day. It is what He does. What He has been doing and what He will always keep doing. (I love that!)

"in the way": on the path, road, journey, direction, course of life...

"of wisdom": skill (in war), wisdom (in administration), shrewdness, wisdom (in ethical or religious affairs)

"and lead you": the root of this word is the same word above used for "way" but this seems to imply walking, treading, marching... makes me think He's not only showing us where to march, but He's leading the way by marching along with us.

"along straight": even, upright, level paths. I want my thoughts to be upright - and level!!!

"paths": I expected this word to be the same as "paths" but it actually means "entrenchment or tracks." Interesting! He wants to get me in the right "ruts". : )

"When you walk, your steps": actually means just that.

"will not be hampered": won't be bound up or distressed. Sounds like walking in freedom to me!

"When you run, you will not stumble": reminds me of when a child (or anyone!) starts running and gets going faster than their feet can carry them and stumbles and crashes. Praise God He will (if I listen) keep me from running ahead of myself (and Him) and stumbling and crashing!

"HOLD ON": Wow. That doesn't do justice to what this word means. First of all, the Hebrew word itself looks like "Shazam!" : ) "CHAZAQ!" (Isn't that great?) And the definition includes these words: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be/become strong, become strong, be courageous, be/grow firm, be resolute, be sore. Wow. To hold on so tightly that I become sore - and strong and courageous. I. WANT. THAT.

"to instruction": Ouch. OK. I am looking up these words (see below for how/where) as I go along here and I'm sort of reconsidering what I just said I wanted... This kind of "instruction" isn't what I thought it was! It's the "discipline, chastening, correction" kind of instruction. Big sigh. But yes, I still want it. Only now I KNOW it's going to make me sore!!!

"Do not let it go": Still talking about the "instruction" and He's not just saying here "don't let it go" but don't slack off! Don't "sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened." Hmmm... Wow. That is so often what I do when I start something new. I'm enthusiastic at first, for a few days, and then sink, relax, drop out and get disheartened. God is saying that's not okay anymore.

"Guard it well": guard, watch, watch over, keep. Speaks of faithfulness and diligence to me.

"for it is your life": Life. LIFE.

Feels a bit like God is giving me a warning that I need to quit slacking and keep holding onto and pursuing the things He's teaching me to do. He's been opening my eyes and doesn't want me to slow up and go back to my old way of doing things. I don't really want to either. So, yes, Lord, please keep teaching, training, correcting and disciplining me. I need to know how to live so that I can have the LIFE that You want for me. ABUNDANT LIFE. I definitely WANT THAT. : )

(And in case you're wondering where I got all of this information... you can check out bible.lifeway.com . Look at the menu on the left and you'll see a list of Bible translations and some other stuff. Click on "KJV with Strong's" and you'll get an amazing resource! Click on the words that are underlined and you'll go straight to the original Hebrew or Greek words and their definitions. At the top there is a little window where you can type in whatever chapter you want to look at. It's my favorite resource!!!)

What are you memorizing? Are you doing anything for Lent or to prepare your heart in a special way for Easter? I'd love to hear about it!