November 11, 2026
At 4 a.m. the thermometer reads 36 degrees, not bad. Today’s projected high should be in the low 60’s with wind gusting at 25 mph. As of this morning, there is no moisture predicted for the next ten days, however the prediction is for 2-4 inches of snow on the twenty-first, and much cooler weather after that. I guess that is why it’s called Winter.
Each morning when Miss Deb and Coffee get out of bed, the first thing Coffee does is to run into the entryway and push her “EAT!” button. For some reason the silly dog thinks that her needs should take priority!
As we continue our walk down the “narrow” path of living a life that pleases our LORD, we come to the encouragement of Proverbs 2:10, “For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;” Perhaps we would do well to examine two words within this verse: “heart” is used to indicate the core of who you are. The Hebrew language would indicate that your “heart” is one’s “inner self, inclination, disposition, courage, will, intention and reason.” These words tell us that a person’s “heart” is who they really are.
The second word found here is “soul.” The Hebrew would lend these words for a possible understanding: “throat, breath, personality.” I see these two words this way: they are pretty much the same thing! Both “heart” and “soul” speak of the inner part of your being that makes you, you; and that is the point our author is making: “wisdom” that leads to godliness will impact your life to the very inner most part of who you are.
In verse 11 we find two more words worthy of examination, “discretion” and “understanding.” And once again, both words take us to the same destination; each word providing God’s protection, with the promise of verse 12. From verse 13-19 our instructor now warns of the dangers of attempting to walk on the “wide” path that “leads to destruction.” Just like before, we get to choose – Will I walk with godly wisdom, knowing that my “soul” is protected under the blood of Jesus, or will I walk on the path of worldly wisdom and find pain and deception as my traveling partners?
In verse 20, our wise teacher projects his choice for us by stating, “you will.” These words come from a heart overflowing with love for each person ever born. For God’s will for each of us is that we “will” walk with Him for all of eternity; yet He loves us enough to allow us to choose which path we walk on. Verses 20-21 are in direct contrast to verse 22; once again, leaving us with a choice.
I close with the words of our old Native American adage with the word “Inside” (speaking of the “heart” and “soul”); “inside of every person there are two dogs, one white and one black. Which one is the strongest? The one you feed the most.” May we each take the food away from the “black” dog and feed the extra food to the “white” dog. WOW, that’s not a bad summary of the book of Proverbs!
Feeding the white dog with you, Neal
Leave a Reply