A Good Word

For Thursday, September 22, 2005
Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.

We can say, "Amen," to both of these statements for their verity. Anxiety weighs a person down. He feels drained; he lacks enthusiasm. He has difficulty sleeping; his attention span is short. He can even physically look weighed down as though carrying a burden on his back, which is truly what he is doing. Anxiety is a burden; not only a burden, but one that is carried alone. It isolates the burden-bearer; he feels alone. Anxiety blinds the burden-bearer; he not only fails to see a solution, but fails to see the help that others can and want to give.

All the more, then, is the blessing of the good word that comes to him like a ray of sunshine breaking through a dark sky, cheering him. It is the fresh water dashed on his pale face, refreshing him. And all it takes is a good word. It doesn't take skilled counseling; it doesn't require complex involvement. All it takes is a pleasant word from a kind voice.

A word has amazing power, for even a stranger can change the complexion of an anxious person with a simple pleasant, courteous remark. Today, you can make glad someone who is bearing anxiety. By your cheerful word, your kind tone of voice, by your smile - you can bring blessing. And blessing is what everyone needs. Be quick to bless; be quick to show the love and the mercy of Christ Jesus to your neighbor. For you do not know what anxiety lies in his or her heart; you do not know the power that you good word can have.

Diligence

For Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

The students who do the best work are the students who are most diligent in their labor. They are the students who excell in grades, get the awards, and win the scholarships. The employees who are most diligent find the same kind of results. So do rulers, athletes, musicians, indeed in every field, the same pattern holds out - the diligent rise above the slothful.

The slothful never catch on. They think the diligent's success has to do with luck or with favoritism. They don't make the connection between success and diligence. They connect success with being shrewd. Even then they think shrewdness has to do with succeeding without having to work.

Jesus once told a parable about the shrewd use of talents (money) entrusted to servants. According to the diligence in which each servant used the money, he was awarded all the more. The simple principle is that our faithfulness in small things leads to being entrusted with greater responsibilities. We need to examine our hearts about this. I've listened to Christians complain about being treated unfairly in school or the workplace presumably because of their Christian convictions. And yet, how often is the real case being that they were not diligent in their labors. It is a terrible witness for a vocal Christian to be a slothful worker. We should be the most diligent, knowing that it is for Christ whom we labor, whatever the job; it is God whom we are to glorify by the quality of whatever work that we do.

How diligent will you be today in the work that you have to do?

Prudent Use of Knowledge

For Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Why would it be prudent to conceal knowledge? It would be prudent to conceal knowledge from people who will misuse that knowledge. They may publicize what ought to be kept private. They may maliciously use the knowledge to hurt others or obtain ill-gotten gain. It would be prudent to conceal knowledge from the foolish, who may harm themselves and others, simply by their foolishness. It would also be prudent to conceal knowledge from those who would disdain that knowledge. And it would be prudent to withhold knowledge from those who would only be stirred up to commit blasphemy and create turmoil.

Just recently someone asked my counsel about whether or not to reply to an offensive email. I counseled not to because she most likely would only receive further offense. The other person was set in her opinions and would not receive reproof well. Wisdom includes knowing when and when not to speak. Jesus himself counseled not to throw pearls before swine. A person must have the right frame of mind in order to receive knowledge.

What then do we do? We pray; for it is the work of the Spirit to give ears to hear. Pray for the Spirit to open the door (Paul's own prayer: Colossians 4:3) for the truth to be heard. Pray for wisdom to know when to speak and how to speak. Treat knowledge as you would treat anything that has potential for good and harm. Treat it as you would treat anything that is sacred. Certainly nothing is more sacred than the Gospel or more powerful.

Defining Lying

For Monday, September 19, 2005
Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.

For todays devotion, consider what the Larger Catechism has to say about breaking the ninth commandment concerning lying.

Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbours; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vain-glorious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.