Proverbs 30

Most of my paintings are cathartic. They are an open expression of a strong emotion I have experienced in my personal walk with the Lord. Sometimes I feel inclined to share my experience through story with the painting. Othertimes, strokes of color on the canvas eventually turn into something worthy of calling art as God strokes away dark cavernous areas of my heart in the process. His Heavenly colors I have learned to appreciate are conviction, truth, love, mercy, and grace. Each one has shaped me into the man I am becoming. As I share my experiences through story and art, I pray that the only righteousness seen in me is the righteousness of Christ. For without Him, I am a blank canvas.

Proverbs 30 is one of my favorite chapters in the book. For most of my adult life I have focused on verses 8 and 9 which says, “Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; That I not be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.” The bridge between this verse in relation to how Jesus taught us to pray in Luke 11. “... Give us this day our daily bread,” is one that I stand on often.

But recently verse 16 caused me to pause, ponder, and pray.

...the earthly things that never say, “Enough!”

The author is making a beautiful and poetic contrast of the Creator of grand but humble things compared to the things here on earth that never satisfy. Once again I am convicted by God's words and my wretched ways. But none of us have to look far to see that we live in a world of people who are rarely satified. Whispers constantly telling us that we need more. TV Ads, Movies, Magazines, Keeping Up With Neighbors, Store Sales, Social Media, Government Give Aways, they are all saturating our character, culture, our families, and yes even our churches .

Verses 15-16 says, “The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, “Enough!” Sheol, and the barren womb, earth that is never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!” The fire of hell continually burns bringing strife and death and continues to ask for more. Much like the fire that can't stop consuming, sin of the flesh has the same tendency when it comes to wanting more.

As the conviction of God's truth penetrates my heart, I am reminded of the contrast of Jesus. The author of Proverbs points out in verse 5 that our Lord is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

When have I ever said, "Enough, Lord?" Never, when it's for my own gain. I only cry out, "Enough," when I am experiencing hardship, difficulty, sickness, and pain. The truth is I have days when I want more. More time, more money, more friends who love and live for the Lord, more creativity, more knowledge, more for my family, our future, more, more, more. And when I want more for myself, I have temporarily forgotten the most important truth --

Christ is enough!

2 Corinthians 12:9

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Because He First Loved Me,

Glenn