The Glory of Searching

For Friday, August 24, 2007
Proverbs 25:1-2

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.

God in his glory transcends the ability of man to know all his ways. Me must come down to man to reveal even a part of his nature and his will. His glory is impressed upon us because of his mystery. Even as we grow in knowledge of him, we are filled all the more with wonder as we realize how little we know. One great wonder is God's knowledge. He knows all things. He does not search out knowledge as we do. When Scripture applies such language to God, it is not meaning that he must learn what he does not know, but rather is impressing upon us that we and nothing can escape God. Such is his glory.

For the king, and anyone placed in a position of authority, his glory is displayed not in what he conceals but in his ability and zeal to know what is taking place under his rule. The wicked conceal their wicked behavior. It is the task of the righteous king to find them out. The oppressed suffer without help; it is the king's role to see them and come to their aid. It is the glory of the king to find good people and place them in responsible positions. It is the king's glory to search out what is good and bring it to light.

Before the king can act, he must know. And to know, he must search. Are you searching? Are you looking to know what is going on about you so that you can act responsibly? Are you searching for what is true, what is honorable? Are you searching for what is wicked so you can avoid it yourself and act to thwart it? It is the glory of everyone to be a searcher. What will you learn today?

A Little Sleep

For Thursday, August 23, 2007
Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.

The "little sleep" and "little slumber" and "little folding of the hands to rest" end up being the primary activities of the sluggard. He does tell himself that he will loaf and do no work. He will work, and very hard, but first just a little rest. Or better yet, I think I will watch TV for a just minutes, just to relax for a moment.

We see such workers in the workplace. He comes in late. When he does come in, he needs time to settle in. He likes to chat. And he glances at his email before he gets started in his work. There's a funny article he's found. He looks at the day's work and comments on how much he has to do. They need to hire more workers. How can they expect one person to do all he has to do? The other people he worked for had the same unreasonable expectations, as did the people before. In fact, he has had the unfortunate luck of always working for unreasonable bosses.

What describes you? Are you known for the consistent, good work you do, whether it be in the workplace or home or school? Or are you "plaqued" with people having too many expectations? Circumstance do play in, to be sure. But more often than not, the work you produce or fail to produce has more to do with your attitude than anything else. The "little" breaks you take add up to more than you realize. And these "breaks" may be the real reason you fail to get the promotion or make the grade. Examine yourself before you blame your circumstances.

Pay Back

For Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Proverbs 24:28-29

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done."

Here is where the Christian is to be distinguished. It is the natural reaction to get even with the person who has harmed us. We say do ourselves that we are only seeking what is fair. Our neighbor is only getting what is coming to him. This seems just. And so we should seek justice... for others. For ourselves, we are to be concerned only with the welfare of our neighbor and return his wrong behavior with the kind that will bear witness to the gospel. For our hope is to be the salvation of our enemy. That is why Jesus taught the following:

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

This is hard teaching to live out. But nevertheless, it is what our Lord teaches. To live such a life today is what will honor him.

Prepare

For Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Proverbs 24:27

Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.

Before building your house, see to it that you are providing the income necessary to afford and maintain it. Before marrying and creating a household, get everything ready to support a family. Do not let your dreams and ambition carry your emotions and move you to setting up a home to support when you have yet to make preparation for that support. Take the time to get the education needed, to develop the necessary skills, to put your finances in order and earn an income, etc.

Are you eager to serve the Lord in his kingdom? Then take the necessary time to prepare yourself well. Eager to be serving, many of the Lord's servants fall by the wayside or never serve to their potential because they were quick to build the house before getting ready in the field. Marriages and families have suffered because the man and woman were too eager to get married before good preparation - be it education, financially, or preparing themselves to sustain an intimate, complex relationship. They quickly fall into debt; the husband is unable to get the job necessary to provide for the "house" they have built; both are unequipped to handle the pressures that come with marriage and raising a family.

Prepare. Prepare each morning the day before you. Prepare your heart before the Lord before you go out into the field or take care of your home. After that, begin building.

A Good Kiss

For Monday, August 20, 2007
Proverbs 24:23-26

23 These also are sayings of the wise.
Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right,"
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.

Partiality in judging happens because of fear or greed. There is fear of repecussions by the wicked. They are often powerful and usually ruthless. There is danger in opposing them. There is greed for the bribe offered by the wicked. Being a "friend" of the wicked can lead to wealth and high position.

But the proverb is right. If it is known that a judge rules in favor of the wicked, he is usually maligned by the public. He may get his money and secure his safety, but he loses the blessing of a good name. He may save his body, but loses his soul - both figuratively and literally. He helps to spread cynicism and discouragment in the population. Others lose faith in the justice system and many give in to corruption. The wicked only sink further into their wickedness, since they go unchecked and their belief that there is no one good is reinforced.

It is in such a climate that an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Like the kiss that refreshes and delights, so an honest answer refreshes and delights the soul. "There is someone honest, someone who will speak the truth and face the cost. If so, there must be some good in this world. And if one person can speak honestly, then I can as well." And so, just as partiality poisons the environment, so honesty can restore it.

What will you do today - poison or refresh the people around you? Will your speech be as a dagger or a kiss?