Conviction and Grace-my heart this morning.

Life is so incredibly busy and physically and emotionally taxing, therefore I find I am often convicted in those spiritual areas where I am bound to come up short, fail or just plain ignore. This morning as I read through Proverbs 3 I was pounded with waves of being overwhelmed with the vast amount of change needed. It threatened to incapacitate me.
This is one of those chapters that would be better suited read, memorized and applied ONE verse at a time. "God, I can't handle my entire being to be cut, pruned and refined in fire all at once!" He understand that. He understand what it is to be human. He puts no pre-planned expectations on us. His grace is enough.
Conviction. It looms as a very condescending word seemingly full of shock and disappointment.... but how many times, how many times, that conviction and guilt is fueled by our own pride. Conviction from God couldn't be more to the contrary.
Conviction-being strongly convinced in light of the evidence, of the error of my ways.
No malice. No "your naughty" finger shaking. No disgust.
God loves to convict us, not to pound us to a pulp but to build us up and spur us on! Grow us! Strengthen us and change our hearts. Show us the best way. His Word reminds us over and over again of how to live lives worth living.
It's meant to challenge us and bring enlightened truths into those dark fleshly habits of our selfish hearts.
God never convicts and then strikes!  He convicts and graciously gives.
I challenge you to read this passage and ask the Lord to speak to your heart about what shortcoming, change or sin he would have for you to confess and surrender to him today. He takes it with a gracious smile and a joyous high five! And the rest, well... don't sweat it!  That's for His conviction and grace to cover all in His time.



Proverbs 3

My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;

For length of days and long life

And peace they will add to you.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your possessions,

And with the first fruits of all your increase;

So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor detest His correction;

For whom the LORD loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies,

And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

Length of days is in her right hand,

In her left hand riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy are all who retain her.

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

By understanding He established the heavens;

By His knowledge the depths were broken up,

And clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let them not depart from your eyes—

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

So they will be life to your soul

And grace to your neck.

Then you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

For the LORD will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Do not say to your neighbor,
“ Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,”

When you have it with you.

Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

Do not strive with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

Do not envy the oppressor,

And choose none of his ways;

For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,

But His secret counsel is with the upright.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the home of the just.

Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.