SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Today’s proverbs contrast wisdom and folly in its many forms.
- honesty vs. dishonesty
- humility vs. pride
- integrity vs. duplicity
- righteousness vs. riches/trust in riches
- righteousness vs. wickedness/unfaithfulness/godlessness
- upright vs. wicked
- understanding vs. lack of judgment
- trustworthiness vs. gossip
- advice vs. lack of guidance
- indebtedness vs. being in debt
- kindness vs. ruthlessness
- kindness vs. cruelty
- righteousness vs. those who pursue evil
- blameless vs. perverse
- generosity vs. stinginess/hoarding
- seeking good vs. seeking evil
- righteousness vs. troublemaking
- the blessing of righteousness vs. the judgment of sin
Remember the little demon and the little angel, each one enticing us in one or the other direction. These proverbs give many examples of the choices we face. Each one is worthy of extended reflection. I am only highlighting the many contrasts, and their results, either blessing or woe.
Jesus echoes this message, describing the two paths of blessing and woe: Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. [Luke 6:21-26]
Each day we make choices that move us in the direction of blessing or woe. Blessed is the person who thinks carefully about their choices, and is intentional about choosing God’s way. Woe to the person who lives carelessly or foolishly.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me think seriously about my many daily choices, to see whether they lead to blessing or woe.
Happiness is . . . being grafted into the tree of Life. That tree does not wither, but is the green leaf growing. People of integrity, living for the Lord. Serving the Lord. These are those whose choices are guided by . . . What would Jesus do? They do not live unto themselves , but live each day under the umbrella – Today God Is First. Living for Jesus a life that is true.
As the kings were not to put their trust in horses and their treasures so too God’s people may not put their trust upon the toys of this world. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. May my walk with Him show that each and every day.
Lord help me to be a living letter read by all showing that You are my All in all.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.