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!
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!
