"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife....He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord." (Proverbs 17:1 & 15)
Verse 1: This is another version of poor people can be happy, while rich people can be miserable. Maybe it is akin to verse 22, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Another translation of, "like medicine," is, "makes medicine even better." There is no doubt that, "quietness," can be wonderful and healing, while, "strife," can be most upsetting and full of tension. I wonder if that is one of the reasons I don't like talk shows where people are just arguing and arguing. Forget the issue. There is something about that confrontational atmosphere which cannot be good for our health, spiritual or physical. The same is true at places of business, schools, in families. I think people who delight in argument and are quick to argue do so to their own hurt. Lord help me to be a sower of, "quietness," rather than, "strife." By the way, this does not mean capitulation. That can be just another form of, "justifies the wicked."
Verse 15: How does one, "justif[y] the wicked,..and condemn[] the just...."? Well, of course there are many ways, but let's get real practical and specific here: By voting for, or, I might add, not voting at all, and thereby justifying by active participation or neglect, political leaders who advocate principles opposed to the Bible. American "Christians" would do well to keep this in mind in the upcoming Congressional and Presidential elections. We just cannot raise our hands in religious services, preach the Gospel, pray, read the Bible, evangelize, then go on in life living, voting, in general, conducting day to day business as though religious life and "personal life" have nothing in common. This is one of the great reasons for the state of twenty-first century Christendom------ in our businesses, schools, families, and local churches, etc.
There is great peace in Jesus Christ, in our abiding, indwelling fellowship in Him. But there can be no, "peace which passes understanding," when the a professing Believer attempts to separate certain aspects of his life from the reign of, "the Lord of peace." I cannot decide what and whom to obey and expect, "peace...like a river". I encourage and challenge you and me today to be sure Jesus Christ is Lord of all, Lord of actions, decisions, words, life style. Where there is, "strife," I pray to sow, "quietness." Where there is, "the wicked," and, "the just," I pray I reverse the condemnation and justification, not so much with my words, but more by my actions/life style. Proverbs can really reveal true "spirituality," can it not?!?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for, "but He gives more grace," to apply the Book of Proverbs to 24/7 living. Amen.
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I will be starting the FHMP Fall Mission prayer requests and updates this coming Saturday for those who have requested them.
Verse 1: This is another version of poor people can be happy, while rich people can be miserable. Maybe it is akin to verse 22, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Another translation of, "like medicine," is, "makes medicine even better." There is no doubt that, "quietness," can be wonderful and healing, while, "strife," can be most upsetting and full of tension. I wonder if that is one of the reasons I don't like talk shows where people are just arguing and arguing. Forget the issue. There is something about that confrontational atmosphere which cannot be good for our health, spiritual or physical. The same is true at places of business, schools, in families. I think people who delight in argument and are quick to argue do so to their own hurt. Lord help me to be a sower of, "quietness," rather than, "strife." By the way, this does not mean capitulation. That can be just another form of, "justifies the wicked."
Verse 15: How does one, "justif[y] the wicked,..and condemn[] the just...."? Well, of course there are many ways, but let's get real practical and specific here: By voting for, or, I might add, not voting at all, and thereby justifying by active participation or neglect, political leaders who advocate principles opposed to the Bible. American "Christians" would do well to keep this in mind in the upcoming Congressional and Presidential elections. We just cannot raise our hands in religious services, preach the Gospel, pray, read the Bible, evangelize, then go on in life living, voting, in general, conducting day to day business as though religious life and "personal life" have nothing in common. This is one of the great reasons for the state of twenty-first century Christendom------ in our businesses, schools, families, and local churches, etc.
There is great peace in Jesus Christ, in our abiding, indwelling fellowship in Him. But there can be no, "peace which passes understanding," when the a professing Believer attempts to separate certain aspects of his life from the reign of, "the Lord of peace." I cannot decide what and whom to obey and expect, "peace...like a river". I encourage and challenge you and me today to be sure Jesus Christ is Lord of all, Lord of actions, decisions, words, life style. Where there is, "strife," I pray to sow, "quietness." Where there is, "the wicked," and, "the just," I pray I reverse the condemnation and justification, not so much with my words, but more by my actions/life style. Proverbs can really reveal true "spirituality," can it not?!?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for, "but He gives more grace," to apply the Book of Proverbs to 24/7 living. Amen.
*************************
I will be starting the FHMP Fall Mission prayer requests and updates this coming Saturday for those who have requested them.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
