A Good Name

For Friday, June 1, 2007
Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.

This is the lesson George Bailey learned in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." One earns a good name by living a good life, and that name becomes a sound investment. The person with a good name is more likely to receive help when the time comes. He is more likely to receive the benefit of the doubt should he be slandered. He is more likely to be defended by his neighbors when attacked. Others will speak up for him; people are pleased to do favors for him. Even his opponents will give him respect.

A good name does not guarantee security, and sometimes the good life actually leads to a poor reputation, as even Christ experienced. All the more then the importance of having a good name before God who is our true judge. And all the more important to find one's identity in Christ. It is his name that gives us a good name before God.

And let us exalt now the name of Jesus before whom every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10).

The Victory

For Thursday, May 31, 2007
Proverbs 21:31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.

It is good to make plans. It is good to prepare well for whatever battle one faces. But always remember that the victory belongs to the Lord. His will will be done. With such knowledge, you should:

1. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout your preparations and battle. You may pray for victory, but more importantly that you will honor Christ in the battle.

2. Neither bemoan your weakness nor be puffed up in your strength. It is by your weakness that God's strength is made known. Whatever strength you may have is what God has given to you.

3. God has his own purposes beyond your battle. You do not know what those purposes are. But you do know that all things are to work toward his glory, and you know that as his child those purposes include your good. God is not distant, indifferent to your battles. But God is also not contained in your small world.

4. Whatever success you may experience, the victory belongs to the Lord and he is to receive all credit and glory.

Now go forth to your battles today.

Of No Avail

For Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Proverbs 21:30

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the Lord.

Let's let Psalm 2 provide the commentary for this proverb:

1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 "Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 "As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."

7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

God's kingdom will prevail.

A Bold Face

For Monday, May 28, 2007
Proverbs 21:29

A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways.

Wickedness does take a certain courage. After all, the wicked man risks getting caught and punished. He is willing to incur the wrath of others. He takes these things upon himself all for greed and spite. And so he puts on his bold face to deceive and to mock, and to show his bravado. But a bold face can do little more than buy some time. Justice will come, either through the law or vengence of his enemies, and ultimately when he stands before God. At that time there will be no bold face.

A bold face is no replacement for wisdom and righteousness which win favor with God and man, and which provide true security. It is not the bold face, but the upright heart that wins the day. Better to be strong than to feign strength; better to be wise than to pretend cleverness; better to give thought to what pleases God than to act with bravado.