GREAT STRENGTH

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is of great strength,
And when the righteous run to it, they are exalted.

Personal Challenge

As Eastern Orthodox Christians we have one prayer that is uttered often. It is throughout every liturgy, matins, vespers, and virtually any prayer that is uttered. It is, “Lord have mercy!”. We recognize and base our belief on the truth that the name of the Lord is of great strength. There is nothing, or no one, in either the physical realm or the spiritual realm that can diminish it. We run to it and are exalted by our Lord. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

WISDOM

Proverbs 17:30 LXX (17:28)

Wisdom shall be imputed to a man without understanding who asks for wisdom,
And anyone who holds his peace will seem to have discernment.

Personal Challenge

Wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge and definitely not the same thing as information. We live in an age where unlimited amounts of information are available. Unfortunately, so much of that information is invalid and deceptive. It often is full of lies and conflicts with truth and facts. One must always address this information firehose with true discernment that can only come from God. Good, quality, and correct information can lead to knowledge. However, knowledge without godly wisdom is still worthless. The writer of this proverb reminds us that if we seek wisdom from our God, we will receive it. Then it is upon us to use it effectively for Him. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Saint of the Week

St. Paisios of Mount Athos

HARSH WORDS

Proverbs 17:29 LXX (17:27)

He who refrains from uttering a harsh word is intelligent,
And a longsuffering man has discernment.

Personal Challenge

Harsh words are always destructive. When they are spoken out of anger or contempt, they are even worse. A sign of true intelligence and discernment is apparent when a person refrains from uttering a harsh word, even when it appears to be deserving by the recipient. Glory be to God!

AUTHORITY TO WORDS

Proverbs 17:15 LXX (17:14)

The foundation of righteousness gives authority to words,
But discord and quarreling precede poverty.

Person Challenge

We have seen so much bluster and rhetoric in our world over the last few decades. So many in power, or desiring power, are spewing words that they believe are authoritative when in reality they are nothing more than noise, clanging cymbols. It is because their words come from the place of discord and quarrelling. They have no foundation of righteousness and therefore no authority. If we desire to see a difference, then the foundation must be changed. Lord, have mercy on our country and our world!

COMPASSION AND MERCY

Proverbs 17:5

He who laughs at the poor provokes the One who made him,
And he who rejoices in destruction will not be unpunished;
But he who has compassion will be shown mercy.

Personal Challenge

In the days before Christ, the Jewish people had over 600 laws to abide by in their scriptures, which is our Old Testament. Jesus proclaimed that He fulfilled that law and left us with two commandments to live by. They are to love God and love our neighbor. Laughing at the poor or rejoicing in the destruction within the world around us is contrary to these two commandments. A person cannot proclaim that they are a follower of Christ and to do these kinds of things. The fruit of their life does not align with the expectations of our God, Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

ENJOYMENT

Proverbs 17:1

Better is a morsel with enjoyment in peace
Than a house full of many good things and unrighteous sacrifices with quarreling.

Personal Challenge

Our culture has embraced the belief that the more stuff that we can collect in our lives, the better off we will be. This is even to the point of people brandishing bumper stickers that say, “He who dies with most toys wins”. If I can be satisfied with even just a small morsel and enjoy it in peace, then that is far better than filling up house, my garage, and a rented storage shed with all the stuff that I have collected, especially if that stuff becomes my god and leads to arguing and quarreling. It is really true that “Less is More”. Glory be to God!

PATIENCE > STRENGTH

Proverbs 16:30 LXX (16:32)

A patient man is better than a strong man,
And he who controls his temper is better than he who captures a city.

Personal Challenge

This equation demonstrates God’s math, which is so much different, and better than man’s math. We also call this God’s economy, which often looks upside down to us. How can a patient person be better than a strong person. Patience is a virtue that will always outlast the application of strength, which always runs out of energy, and therefore effectiveness at some point. Capturing a city may be cool for a while but controlling ones temper far out-performs and outlasts that. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Saint of the Week

St. Basil the Great

GOD FOCUSED WISDOM

Proverbs 16:18 LXX (16:20)

A man wise in his deeds is a discoverer of good things,
But he who trusts in God is the most blessed.

Encouraging Words

In the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith practice we have a phrase that speaks volumes. “All truth is God’s truth.”. No matter who is speaking, what their religious affiliation, what their level of education is or amount of wealth that they have amassed, if they speak the truth, that truth came from God. The ancient church equated both Truth and Wisdom to Jesus as the living Word of God. So, looking at this verse today… a person that uses their wisdom in their deeds will discover good deeds. But, if a person trusts in God, they will be blessed. That trust is enhanced by God’s Wisdom and Truth. Glory be to God!