Good day to you and warm wishes. Let's continue with Proverbs 18. For commentary on verses 1-4 and 5-8, search "Sept 18" and "Oct 18". Today let's consider verse 9-12.

"9 Whoever is lazy in his work Is a brother to the one who causes ruin. 10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous one runs and receives protection. 11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; It is like a protective wall in his imagination. 12 Before a crash a man’s heart is lofty, And before glory there is humility."

Prov 18:9 A lazy person often has not been commended for his efforts to practice what is good, but rather for having knowledge of things. One should be commended for using knowledge aright, to the benefit of others. Having not seen the benefit of applying knowledge in righteousness, he is a brother to the one causing ruin.

Prov 18:10 Romans 10:18 says "For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”" The apostle Paul is quoting Joel 2:32. Calling on God's name of course implies more than knowing God's personal name Jehovah and using it. We must also highly regard all that name stands for, "getting to know" God (and His son), which John 17:3 says leads to everlasting life. Strong faith or trust in God, with trusting and loving obedience to Him, will mean our life.

Prov 18:11 Money will do us no good on "the day of fury." The Scriptures say nothing about money leading to eternal life, or protection from God's judgements. May wealthy ones continue to follow the inspired counsel of 1Timothy 6:17-19, looking to God for help, protection, and salvation more than anything material: "17 Instruct those who are rich in the present system of things not to be arrogant, and to place their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who richly provides us with all the things we enjoy. 18 Tell them to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be generous, ready to share,19 safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, so that they may get a firm hold on the real life."

Prov 18:12 Humility is the quality we're aiming for here, it's an attitude, or a viewpoint in life, viewing "others as superior to you." The scriptures say that "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1Cor 8:1). No amount of knowledge alone makes us better than another person. We must use that knowledge in a humble, loyal and kind way to benefit others. Jesus said whoever wants to be great among his disciples must be as a slave and a minister. Humility and love go hand in hand. And without love we are nothing. "And if I have the gift of prophecy and understand all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." (1Cor 13:2).

Psalm 59 (Book 2, 18th psalm) concludes, after pleading with God to cause evil ones to "wander about," David says "But as for me, I will sing about your strength; In the morning I will joyfully tell about your loyal love. For you are my secure refuge And a place for me to flee in my time of distress. 17 O my Strength, to you I will sing praises, For God is my secure refuge, the God who shows loyal love to me." As you look to God for protection, guidance, and strength, may you come to feel like David, eager to tell others the truth about God's power, goodness and loyal love.

Philippians 2 speaks further regarding the humble view we should have toward God and others in imitation of Jesus: "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human. 8 More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death..." By his humble, obedient course, God did exalt him, confident he would remain humble and loyal to God, as we all should, reflecting on the life and ministry of Christ.