Author: David Short

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!

PRIDE

Proverbs 16:16 LXX (16:18)

Arrogance goes before destruction
And folly before a fall.

Personal Challenge

Many of us have heard this as “Pride goes before a fall!”. Arrogance, or pride, is definitely a dangerous thing. It taints our perspective and blurs our vision. We are seeing arrogance at play in so much of our society today and the consequences have been, and are continuing to be, devasting and destructive to us well as our entire country. The folly that comes with this arrogance is leading to a significant fall. Our only recourse is to turn from our pride and arrogance to embrace humility and ultimately, repentance. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

SEEKING RIGHTLY

Proverbs 16:4 LXX (16:7)

He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness,
And those who seek Him rightly will find peace.

Personal Challenge

So what does it mean to seek the Lord rightly? Knowledge and righteousness are bestowed upon those who seek Him. These virtues cannot be fully received without God because He is the Author of these virtues. To seek Him rightly is to seek Him knowing this truth and desiring God as the source of the virtues versus just seeking the virtues independent of Him. Seeking Him this way gives us His eternal peace. Glory be to God?

ACCEPTABILITY

Proverbs 16:3

The beginning of a good way is to do righteous things,
And this is more acceptable to God than to offer sacrifices.

Personal Challenge

Sacrifices are an important part of our journey as we follow Christ. What is meant by the term sacrifice in today’s vernacular is to give up something that is important or costly to us. It may be our time, or it could be from our wealth. Whatever it is, we will miss it because we gave it away. There are many sacrifices in our journey with Jesus. However, there is something that is more valuable and acceptable to God than our sacrifices. It is the state of our heart. It is our willingness, and desire, to be humble before our Lord and be righteous for Him. Glory be to God!

WORKS OF HUMILITY

Proverbs 16:1

All the works of the humble are evident before the Lord,
But the ungodly will be destroyed in the evil day.

Personal Challenge

Much of the Protestant faith practices that I grew with were so insistent that our works do not earn us our way to heaven that they would often frown on, or diminish, any good works that were done. The scriptures are clear that we cannot ever earn God’s grace and mercy and therefore, our way into heaven. That is a free gift that can only come from God. However, out of our appreciation for God and His great mercy, grace, and love, we do His good works. The writer of this Proverb reminds us that our works must be done in humility in order to be recognized by God. St. John Chrysostom stated that salvation begins and ends with humility. In humility we recognize God’s love for us and receive His free gift. In humility we live out our Christian life loving him and our neighbor. In humility we give up our life knowing that we need His mercy to save us. When we do not have this humility, our works are just for us and for nought. Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

INSTRUCTION

Proverbs 15:37-38 LXX (32-33)

He who rejects instruction hates himself,
But he who gives heed to reproofs loves his soul.
The fear of God is instruction and wisdom,
And the beginning of glory will respond to it.

Personal Challenge

Does anyone really enjoy instruction, especially if it is corrective? Honestly, most of us do not due to our human nature. We must make the choice receive and heed instruction and reproof. The consequences to this choice will always bring an improvement to our lives. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

Saint of the Week

St. Macarius of Optina

WRATH OR HUMILITY

Proverbs 15:1

Wrath destroys even men of discernment;
But a humble answer turns away anger,
And a grievous word stirs up wrath.

Personal Challenge

It appears that more and more people are carrying a lot of wrath nowadays. It is beyond anger. We need to know that wrath serves no purpose and ultimately ends up causing damage to relationships and often physical harm. Even people who typically have their act together can be destroyed if they let their anger progress to wrath. On the contrary, responding to a situation with a humble answer will diffuse the situation and turn away anger. We must determine ahead of any situation if we will respond with wrath or humility and stay true to that decision. Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

A GENTLE SPIRIT

Proverbs 14:31 LXX (14:30)

A man with a gentle spirit is a healer of the heart,
But a sensual heart is the moth of the bones.

Personal Challenge

Living in a country that is full of people that pride themselves as being the Marlboro Man or Woman, we have resisted becoming people that can be labeled as having a gentle spirit. Jesus, who cleared the entire temple of money changers, had a gentle spirit and yet demonstrated for us boldness and confidence. It takes power and fortitude to be a gentle person in today’s world. The other option, having a sensual heart leads to sadness and brokenness in our lives and the lives of those around us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and teach me to be a man with a gentle spirit.