As I read Proverbs 19 this morning, two verses in particular snagged my attention.

The second one first:

“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge” (27).

This counterbalances (and may also negate) the concept that we should accept truth from any and all sources so long as we filter out the chaff.

I need to be discerning in my listening and reading. There is an abundance of stuff out there that will cause me to err from the “good stuff.”

This erring could be in the form of ceasing to live by God’s wisdom. It could be in the form of ceasing to expose myself to His wisdom.

A panting hart stays away from suspect water as well as bad water.

The other verse:

“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil”

What does that say about a panting hart?

A desperate thirst for God and hungering after righteousness

The psalmist declares in Psalm 42:1 — “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

I’m not there yet, but that’s what I want — a desperate thirst for God and hungering after righteousness.

So why a public forum for so private an endeavor?

Perhaps a public commitment to post something every day will be a positive exercise in self-discipline that will push me more into the Scriptures, thus giving God more opportunities in which to stimulate my hunger and thirst.

Perhaps a place for mutual feedback and encouragement in this pursuit will motivate others as well.

Thus this blog — Panting Hart.

Are you one?

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