(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(Proverbs 25:1-28)
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place as great people;
7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not pass away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a word spoken at the proper time.
12 Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a person who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow
Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well,
So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls
So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place as great people;
7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not pass away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a word spoken at the proper time.
12 Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a person who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow
Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well,
So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls
So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Most people tend to want to get to the bottom of things and tell others... If they are trying to seek justice, they want to know who committed the crime. If they are trying to seek revenge, they want to know who their enemies are. And if they are trying to feel good about themselves, they will look for reasons to blame someone else.
Meanwhile, the Lord's desire is that we go to Him for forgiveness, so He can choose not to keep a record of our sins. Salvation through Jesus is His glory! Once we become Christians, we are God's children for all eternity and His grace protects us. Therefore, as we want to be like our heavenly Father, we should also be forgiving and gracious, even to our enemies. Although we need to make sure justice is served, we do not have to worry about taking revenge. We can feel secure because the Lord will deal with the wicked.
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