Seeking Favor

For Thursday, November 9, 2006
Proverbs 19:6

Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

"Generous man" could be translated "nobleman" or "prince." Whatever the case, the point is that the person in a position to bestow gifts - be it of money, of position, of power - will have many "friends" who in truth are lovers of what he can give. The person may understand this and all the more loves his position because he can get "friends" to show him attention. The end result, however, is his own downfall from the ego that swells up in him, and the desertion of such friends when the downfall comes.

The irony of such behavior is that the One who rules over all and is more than generous is the one such "friends" are least likely to turn to. What does God offer? All the riches in Christ Jesus. He offers not only escape from damnation, but eternal bliss. He offers food and drink without cost. He paid the greatest cost in order to offer these marvelous gifts. Furthermore, he guarantees what he gives. Think about this. The one things that is the most important - eternal joy - is the one thing that he gives away and guarantees that we cannot lose.

And how do most people respond? No thanks. C. S. Lewis was write. Our problem is not that we desire too much, but that we are satisfied with so little. Seek the favor of this generous King who gives costly gifts beyond measure. You who have turned to Christ: why do you act as though you do not have his favor? Why do you act as though you are poor, that your King does not give you gifts? It is such an attitude that keeps the lost from turning to our King, because they look at you and conclude that he is a poor giver. Make them envious of the gifts of peace, of love, of so many other gifts that you have in Christ.

No Escape

For Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Proverbs 19:5

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

The irony in this proverb is that people lie for the express purpose of escaping punishment. We lie to cover up other sins. We fudge the truth so that our spouses will not get upset; so that our bosses will not blow up at us, etc. We will lie so that suspicion is passed on to others. Our lying so that we can get ahead is a form of escape. We think that our present status, our present financial state, our present job and position is life is not as good as it should be. We want to escape it and climb higher. We lie on our tax forms to escape more taxes to pay.

But such lies, though they may seem to provide escape, are merely leading us into entrapment. As often as not, our sins are found out and our lies proved only to magnify their gravity. But more to the point, we cannot lie before and to our Maker who sees all things even into our hearts. Furthermore, we cannot lie about our faith. We can fool others about our faith, but we cannot fool God.

Before you can exercise faith, you must exercise honesty. You cannot be inwardly convicted about what you will not own up to. You cannot repent what you will not admit. You cannot turn in faith to your Redeemer if you will not confess your true need. And you cannot grow close to your Lord if you try to deceive him. Remember then that your goal is not to escape, except to escape from the clutches of sin and lying. You want to be caught by your Lord who is your Redeemer. You want to be forced to confess your sin and your need for your Savior. Like the father caught in his own lie - "I believe" - you want to be caught in mid-sentence and cry out - "Help me in my unbelief!"

The True Friend

Why God?

For Monday, November 6, 2006
Proverbs 19:3

When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the Lord.

This is so true of Christians! Why can't I get a job? Why are my workplaces always so difficult? Why is this ministry by which I serve God filled with so much trouble? Why, when I am devoted to God, am I having so much trouble in my marriage, in my family, with my health, in my church, etc., etc., etc. Doesn't God keep his promises to bless his children? Doesn't he reward those who serve him and make sacrifices for him? Why won't he/can't he control the behavior of others (especially other believers) who are making my life so difficult? Doesn't God care? Doesn't he see what my troubles are? Can't he be merciful to me? What have I done so wrong?

What we will not do is examine our folly. Sometimes the folly is direct and obvious. I am in trouble at work because I lied about my performance. My marriage is in trouble because of my unfaithfulness. Oftentimes the folly is subtle or the consequences follow folly committed long before. My marriage is in trouble because of my sins committed long leaving me with disease or in debt. It could be the folly of unwise decisions. I can't get good work because I decided not to get the education needed when I was able to get it.

The point is that we are always more quick to put blame on someone else, including God, than to own up to our folly. "Bad" things do happen to good people and even because we are doing what is right. Suffering will happen to those who follow God. But suffering is as likely to happen because of our folly. We made foolish decisions; we gave way to foolish behavior, spoke foolishly, panicked foolishly, acted with pride foolishly, doubted God foolishly.

And then we questioned God about his goodness, his faithfulness, his mercy.

Folly leads to folly.