Bow Down

For Friday, December 2, 2005
Proverbs 14:19

The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

How galling for the wicked! They are wicked precisely because they refuse to bow down before the good. We may be quick to point out that many do not bow down, that they get away with their wickedness; perhaps, but many also do have to bow down. Typically, the good do not end up in jail; quite often, the wicked are brought to justice. For every instance of injustice in the courts, they are many instances of justice carried out.

But for us Christians, the proverb should stir in us such a passage as Philippians 2:10 (at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth). The day will come will all people, both the good and the wicked will bow before the Good Judge as we all stand before the Gates of the Righteous One.

Inheritance

For Thursday, December 1, 2005
Proverbs 14:18

The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The simple complains about his bad luck. He can't seem the find the right job; he always gets the unfair teacher; he never gets a break. He can't see what everyone else sees - that his folly leads him into further folly. The prudent, on the other hand, because he is prudent learns and benefits from his experiences so that he turns both bad and good experiences into opportunity for knowledge that benefits him.

This proverb indicates, however, that the simple and prudent do not merely produce their respective fruit. They are also rewarded accordingly. It teaches the lesson of Romans 1:18-28 that God gives up the foolish to their foolish ways. They inherit further folly. And the proverb teaches Jesus' lesson of The Talents. To everyone who has, more will be given. The wise and the prudent will be given greater knowledge.

How does one move from being simple to becoming prudent and wise? The secret of the prudent is humility. The prudent know that in truth they are not wise before God. Because they are humble before him, and therefore become cautious about their ability and wisdom, God grants to them knowledge and wisdom.

Temper, Temper

For Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Proverbs 14:17

A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.

This proverb points out the danger that comes with anger: we make fools of ourselves. More times than not, we regret our words spoken and actions committed in anger. We harm people we love; we lose or destroy possessions valuable to us. Anger makes us dumb. All the more trouble then for a quick tempered person. Such a person may be zealous to serve; he may be compassionate; in other respects he may exhibit godly character. But his temper continually destroys what his good character produces. People are guarded around him, unable to receive his attempts to befriend them. He cannot be entrusted with responsibility despite his giftedness. He is regarded as a danger. If you have this problem, take steps to receive counsel and accountability. There is nothing more destructive in your life than a quick temper. Make it your daily prayer for healing.

A man may mean well but be distrusted for his quick temper. A man of evil devices is hated for his very intent is to harm his neighbor. He devises ways to take advantage of others for his own gain. He may be able to master his temper, but he does so in order to get his way. The joke on him is that he thinks he is clever but is really a greater fool. Unlike the quick tempered man, he keeps his cool and plans ways to manipulate his neighbor. But though he is able to fool others for awhile, his evil heart becomes known through the hurt he causes, and so he wins hatred. The rest of his life, he must keep devising schemes to offset the hatred he has earned and the attempts of others to harm him. He is a fool, thinking that losing the respect and love of his neighbors is worth winning the trinkets of money and power.

Reckless Living

For Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Proverbs 14:16

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.

Our culture today, at least our popular media culture, disdains such a proverb. It celebrates those daring to live on the edge because the one virtue that truly matters is passion. It makes no difference what one is passionate about. One person is passionate about serving the poor; another is passionate is about skateboarding. Each activity has the same value as long as the activity produces a rush.

The bride will dump her cautious fiance and run off with the passionate lover. Obviously the latter must enjoy life more. It is the rule breaker who saves the day, while the rule keeper dies or at least is left without the girl. To be daring is what matters.

And yet, that is what the reckless are not. For if they were daring, they would risk giving up control of their life on their terms. They would engage in the most daring adventure of all - yielding completely to the control of Christ and living fully for the glory of their Maker. They may seem to be fearlessly reckless with their lives, but it is the control of their lives that they will not give up because of fear. They fear God's control; they fear what Christ would compel them to do.

And they have good cause. For God demands absolute control; Christ demands absolute obedience. All that is promised is eternal life; in this life there is no guarantee what a disciple will be called to do and to experience. Christ does not promise safety; indeed, he says to count the cost. For it is the life of the Christian that from a human perspective is the most reckless of all.

The Simple and the Prudent

For Monday, November 28, 2005
Proverbs 14:15

The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

The simple believes the advertisements that happiness, sex appeal, and popularity are found in merchandise, especially expensive merchandise. The simple buys into the messages of pop music and media, because they are expressed with passion. The simple believes whatever appeals to his senses and promises him happiness without change or cost. The believes everything, not because he is intellectually incapable of sifting for the truth, but because he is most affected by flattery. As long as someone appeals to him in a flattering manner, he will believe the message, provided that the message also is flattering to him.

The prudent knows to hesitate over anything that appears too good to be true. But his real motivation is knowing and abiding by the truth. How real is that motivation? The simple test is his reaction to the Truth - Jesus Christ. Many profess a love for truth, but their response to Christ reveal how much love they truly have. Thus, there are many who seem prudent, who reject much of what popular culture teaches; nevertheless, they also are as the simple, who yield to Satan's flattery that they are wise even while being blind.