Proverbs – Page 6 – Be Still…

Proverbs 20:21-30 – Revenge is Not the Answer

Have you ever been wronged by someone? I think all of us have at some point in life. It never feels good to be hurt by a friend or even a stranger. What happens next will define us. Do we rush to get even? Or, do we only dream of sweet revenge? How do you react when you are the target of slander and lies?

For me, I always want to set the record straight. I’m so afraid of what people think of me. Yet Solomon’s wise counsel is this, “Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” Are you kidding me? How can I do that? We might think we look weak if we don’t fight back. But on the contrary, we are much stronger when we are able to bite our tongue and just take the lashing, trust that God has our backs.

Proverbs 20:1-13 – Avoid Gossip

Read Proverbs 20:1-13

Gossip is rampant in our world. There are whole magazines, television shows, and other media devoted to it. Why is it so popular? I suppose because gossip takes the focus off of our own problems and challenges. When we can spread “news” about others and their struggles, feelings, conversations, etc., we somehow feel better about ourselves.

But Solomon warns us in verse 19, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” Avoid them. Don’t be like them. We should seek to build each other up, not tear them down.

Proverbs 20:1-12 – What Do You See & Hear?

Read Proverbs 20:1-12

The gifts God gives us are ongoing. Every breath is a gift. Every bloom is a gift. Every person we encounter is a gift. Verse 12 says, “Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord.” Gifts from God are all around us. We are living in his creation, caretakers of all that he has made for us, given to us.

Have you ever thought about how you are using your eyes and ears being they are gifts from God? Do you take them for granted? Not everyone with eyes can see or ears can hear. Are we making the most of these gifts?

Proverbs 19:15-29 – Fear the Lord!

Read Proverbs 19:15-29

I came across a great explanation of what it means to fear the Lord by brother Jonathan Crosby. He says, “The fear of the LORD is belief in the Creator God of the Bible with an awestruck consciousness of His glory and greatness and a loving desire to obey all He requires to please and worship Him and avoid disappointing Him in any way. It is like the humble adoration and affection that good children give a loving yet authoritative father.”

Think of this as we unpack the verse for today, verse 23. It reads, “Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.” Unfortunately, this security does not mean we won’t encounter troubles and challenges in this life. The promise here is that when we fear the Lord, we have life with him forever. It is then that we are forever safe and secure, protected from harm.

Proverbs 19:1-14 – Slow Down!

Read Proverbs 19:1-14

While there are a lot of gems in today’s reading, verse 2 is the one we’ll reflect on. It says, “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.” Why did I choose this one? I suppose because I have always been a very enthusiastic person. I can get very caught up in the excitement of a new product, a new experience, new friends, new assignment, etc. I often look around and see somber faces when I am bubbling up from inside wondering, “what’s wrong with them? Why isn’t everyone as animated as I am?”

They are probably better discerners than I am. They are waiting to get excited until after they do their due diligence and investigate to gain knowledge. Is this even something worth their time? They want to make sure their enthusiasm is well-founded. Of course, that just makes sense. When we hurry and rush into a decision, we are leaving ourselves wide open to make mistakes and ultimately the wrong decision.