2019 Feb 11 Proverbs 11, Psalms, John 11
2019 Feb 11 Proverbs 11, Psalms, John 11
Welcome to all, wishing you a delightful day! Let's continue in Proverbs 11, verses 22-26:
"22 Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense. 23 The desire of the righteous leads to good, But what the wicked hope for leads to fury. 24 One gives generously and ends up with more; Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty. 25 The generous person will prosper, And whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 26 The people will curse the one who withholds grain, But they will bless the one who sells it."
Prove 11:22 For a woman or anyone to acquire "good sense," one must really trust God and "his commandments," perhaps even praying to God for this (Psalm 119:66). It was Abigail who was praised by David for her display of "good sense" when she, at the time married to a "harsh" and senseless man Nabal, did what she could to respect David's polite request for any assistance he might offer toward David's men. After David had protected Nabal's flocks, property and shepherds for many days, Nabal refused David's requests and even "screamed insults" at his men. Abigail his wife quickly prepared a large quantity of bread, raisin and fig cakes, and so on, and met David and his men, pleading with David to look past Nabal's "senselessness," and accept the gift she had prepared. David had considered taking vengeance on Nabal, but then said to Abigail: "“Praise Jehovah the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 And blessed be your good sense! May you be blessed for restraining me this day from incurring bloodguilt and from taking revenge with my own hands." It would be God himself who would strike Nabal, who had proved "harsh and bad in his practices" some 10 days later, at which David chose to propose marriage to Abigail, which she accepted, becoming his third wife, although his first wife, Saul's daughter Michal, had been given to another man, for a time. (1Samu 25:1-44).Thus may we learn to have this quality of "good sense." For one thing Abigail was fair and reasonable, realizing David should not have been treated in such as way after his kind treatment toward Nabal. She also acted in harmony with Proverbs 3:27, which says "Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it If it is within your power to help." She stood up to protect her own family, including her husband Nabal, in spite of his disagreeableness. She also set an example in showing respect for God foremost, as the highest authority, recognizing God's choice of David as king, even though Saul himself was disrespecting him. She proved loyal to those loyal to God and His ways. Also, how diligent Abigail proved to be! May even young ones learn to "work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galat 6:10).
Prove 11:23 The righteous one thus desires things in agreement with God's will and purpose, things 'leading to good.' Significantly, such a person is not "planning ahead for the desires of the flesh"--does not improperly spend much time longing for even God-approved "desires of the flesh," like a tasty meal, but may rejoice when the time does arrive to enjoy such 'gifts of God.' Therefore, our focus remains on spiritual things, and right desires to give to others what they need spiritually and otherwise. As we know, "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving." (Acts 20:35). Wicked ones, by contrast, desire things usually out of selfishness or greed, often hurting others along with themselves, bringing God's "fury" or anger.
Prove 11:24-26 God's word shows He rewards those with an unselfish giving spirit. Jesus said at Luke 6:38, "Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return." We must at at times trust God to maintain such a spirit, praying for His blessing. But as David stated, at Psalm 37:25, "I have not seen anyone righteous abandoned, Nor his children looking for bread." Thus a giving spirit should be accompanied by adherence to God's righteous ways, for His blessing and approval.
Psalm 100 is called "a melody of thanksgiving." It encourages "all the earth" to "shout in triumph" and "serve Jehovah with rejoicing." Verses 3-5 offer some reasons: "3 Know that Jehovah is God. He is the one who made us, and we belong to him. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Come into his gates with thanksgiving, Into his courtyards with praise. Give thanks to him; praise his name. 5 For Jehovah is good; His loyal love endures forever, And his faithfulness through all generations." May we ever appreciate God as our Creator and Life-giver, who gives "to all people life and breath and all things." (Acts 17:25). Merely looking around, or up at the stars on a clear night, should quickly remind us of God's great wisdom, power, love, and right ways. Aren't we thankful that such an amazing God uses His power for good, and not selfishly or abusively? May His "loyal love" and "faithfulness" move us to love Him in return, and faithfully serve Him alongside dear loved ones and friends.
John 11:1-4 begins the account of the resurrection of Jesus' beloved friend, Lazarus, which brought much evidence of God's power through his Son. When Jesus first learns of Lazarus' sickness, he knows that it will turn out for "the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." We, too, should seek God's honor, as Jesus always did, trusting Him to protect our own fine reputation in His own way. This experience also touchingly reveals the feelings of God's Son for his friends and others, as God also has tender feelings for His human creation. Verses 1-4 read as follows: "Now a man named Lazʹa·rus was sick; he was from Bethʹa·ny, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This was the Mary who poured perfumed oil on the Lord and wiped his feet dry with her hair; it was her brother Lazʹa·rus who was sick. 3 So his sisters sent a message to him, saying: “Lord, see! the one you have affection for is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said: “This sickness is not meant to end in death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”" As we consider such accounts as John 11, may we be helped to maintain our hope and confidence in the resurrection promise of God, who yearns along with his Son, to see mankind restored to life, with everlasting prospects of happiness. Isaiah 25:8 says of God: "He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it." And Paul spoke of this hope, at Acts 24:15: "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." At that time, even "unrighteous" ones will be able, in peaceful conditions earth-wide, to learn the truth of God, and rejoice to live in true peace and happiness.


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