2018 Dec 11 Proverbs 11, Psalms, Ephesians 1
2018 Dec 11 Proverbs 11, Psalms, Ephesians 1
Hello, and may Jehovah bless your day for keeping spiritual things a priority! Let's pick up in Proverbs 11, verses 11-15.
"11 Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But the mouth of the wicked tears it down. 12 Whoever is lacking good sense shows contempt for his neighbor, But the man of true discernment remains silent. 13 A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk, But the trustworthy person keeps a confidence. 14 When there is no skillful direction, the people fall, But there is success through many advisers. 15 Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger is sure to fare badly, But whoever avoids shaking hands in a pledge will be secure."
Prov 11:11 Upright ones disregard selfishness, and please God instead as they uphold what is right and loving--this results in success and the receiving of God's favor and blessing on a person, a city, and a nation. However, allowing evil ones to persist in wrongdoing, or giving attention to their deceptive speech, can result in corruption, eating away at the righteousness a person, city, or nation may have worked hard to obtain.
Prov 11:12 One lacking good sense is lacking "heart," or good motive. Thus rather than forgiving, or covering mistakes of others with love, he may harbor resentment, or allow hatred to develop inside, then show it later when offended by someone, with unkind speech or actions. The discerning one shows true wisdom, by not speaking or acting unkindly in return to someone's offensive conduct. As Paul recommended, "Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men." (Roma 12:17). In other words, respond in a way that people would consider to be fine, beautiful, or honorable. Simply 'remaining silent' is at times the fine thing to do.
Prov 11:13 Hopefully we've learned the difference between talk meant to be considered "confidential," and everyday speech. We have the choice of proving to be a trustworthy person, able to 'keep a confidence,' or a disloyal slanderer, hurting the reputation of others by sharing unseemly things about them. May we keep our conversations positive and upbuilding, refusing to tear down others.
Prov 11:14 A wise person humbly listens to others, benefitting from their knowledge, understanding, and experience.
Prov 11:15 A "stranger" may not adhere to the same godly standards that we hold to, perhaps not prizing honest integrity as we do. Thus we need to be cautious about our financial dealings with such ones.
The 8 verses of Psalm 119:81-88 all begin with the 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
I long for your salvation, For your word is my hope. 82 My eyes long for your saying While I say: “When will you comfort me?” 83 For I am like a skin bottle dried up in the smoke, But your regulations I do not forget. 84 How many days must your servant wait? When will you bring judgment against those persecuting me? 85 The presumptuous dig pits for me, Those who defy your law. 86 All your commandments are trustworthy. Men persecute me without cause; help me! 87 They almost exterminated me from the earth, But I did not abandon your orders. 88 Preserve me alive because of your loyal love, So that I may keep the reminders you have spoken.
May we treasure all of God's "trustworthy" commandments, especially when being mistreated by others. Our loyalty to God will result in His continued favor and blessing, and he will come to our aid, helping us find the way to endure, or bringing an end to our persecution. (1Cor 10:13).
We can thus trust and rejoice in God's loyal love for His worshippers, as we're moved by it to keep His reminders.
Ephesians 1:7 highlights the atoning value of Christ's ransom sacrifice, making possible true forgiveness of our sins, by God's undeserved kindness. It reads: "By means of him(God's "beloved one") we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness." May we not "accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose," as mentioned in God's word (2Cor 6:1). We could do this by claiming to have faith in Christ's sacrifice while intentionally sinning with selfish motives. Let us continue to pray for God's powerful holy spirit, including the fruit of self-control, trusting in His help as we grow in our faith in God and Christ, and in the value of their motivating counsel and commands, determined not to violate God's standards. The right view is expressed by John at 1John 2:1, which reads: "My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one." Thus, no good deed ever gives us an excuse for sinning against God or others, violating His standards. Let's continue seeking God's divine favor and blessing, finding true success in His eyes.
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
