Meditation Saturday, February 1, 2014 Revived by His Word - chapter of Proverbs 28 1 The awicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. 3 bA poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain 1which leaves no food. 4 cThose who forsake the law praise the wicked, dBut such as keep the law contend with them. 5 eEvil men do not understand justice, But fthose who seek the Lord understand all. 6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. 8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. 9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, gEven his prayer is an abomination. 10 hWhoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; iBut the blameless will inherit good. 11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. 12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great jglory; But when the wicked arise, men 2hide themselves. 13 kHe who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 lLike a roaring lion and a charging bear mIs a wicked ruler over poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great noppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. 17 oA man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. 18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be 3saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19 pHe who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, qBut he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 rTo 4show partiality is not good, sBecause for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that tpoverty will come upon him. 23 uHe who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same vis companion to a destroyer. 25 wHe who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, xBut he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. 26 He who ytrusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. 27 zHe who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. 28 When the wicked arise, amen hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. Comments “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue” (v. 23). These words are sometimes hard to believe, given the culture we live in today. We live in a culture that teaches us that we ought not to offend anyone. And if a person feels offended, then someone must have done him or her wrong. If I’m honest with myself, I’ll have to admit that I am offended every day, that is, when I study the Word of God. Sure the Bible is saturated with great and uplifting words, but it also cuts me deeply because at times my heart and life is contrary to God’s Word. On the surface you may wonder why a true friend would ever want to wound another. But when I stop to think, I realize that I am sinful by nature and as a result, God’s words of righteousness should naturally wound me now and again. But God is a true friend who does not flatter me with His words, but a friend who looks after my best interest. He constantly desires to refine my character to be fit for heaven. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Notice also that we really want to help and improve each another. And acquaintances rarely feel comfortable pointing out the negatives in us, but true friends find courage to do so in love. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” As friends, we were meant to prepare and refine one another for heaven. “Dear Lord, thank you for pointing out the negatives in my life. And help me in my family to carefully and lovingly point out the negatives in their life and to gratefully receive the negatives they point out in my life. Amen.” John Huynh Director of Fundraising Hope Channel, Inc.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:15:53 +0000
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