I'm sorry to say that I'm not going to go in detail on the Proverbs study. I just want to say that I really appreciate what I've learned from reading the book through. I think about what I've read and try to apply them to my daily life.
Now, a great friend gave me a personal hymnal, Sing To The Lord. I look in it daily. I love looking in it. It's a great devotional. Today, I opened the book and the first song I see is, "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken". I read the words to the song. I realize that I have a cross to pick up, place it on my shoulder, and carry it, following Christ. Forget everything else around me and just follow Christ. It's a burden, but it's well worth it to carry it while following Christ, knowing that He is taking me the right way. Can we fully "know" and "understand" this song and it's meaning?
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish ev'ry fond ambition,
All I've sought, and hoped and known;
Yet how rich is my condition-
God and heav'n are still my own!
Let the world despise and leave me;
They have left my Savior too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like man, untrue.
And while Thou shall smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.
I have called Thee "Abba, Father;"
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.
O 'tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
O 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
Hasten from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heav'n's eternal days before me-
God's own hand shall guide me there.
Soon shall close my earthly mission;
Swift shall pass my pilgrim days;
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise.
