Righteousness That Exalts

For Friday, January 13, 2006
Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.

Righteousness exalts a nation. It is good for a nation to excell in liberty; it is good for a nation to become prosperous and enable its people to prosper. It is good for a nation to protect its people from threats. But, as ultimately, an individual is judged by his righteousness, so a nation. Thus, above all, we are to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable for ethical behavior, to act righteously to both within our country and in our dealings outside the nation. It matters what kind of neighbor we are and what kind of community we are.

Having said this, let us remember as Christians our citizenship in the kingdom of our Lord. God will judge the nations, including America, and we do well to call our nation to righteousness. But it is his own nation - the Church - that he will hold most accountable, for we represent the rule of God. Are we distinctive in our churches in the way that we treat our neighbors. Do we amaze our enemies by our love for them? Do we put to shame slander against us by our righteousness which is displayed by holy, moral living and by compassion, mercy, and pursuit of justice even for those who hate us? Do we demonstrate "authentic" worship that is defined by God's standards and not the world's? Do we "do business" according to God's righteous law rather than the world's?

Righteousness exalts the church, the world-wide nation of God. And always remember, that it is only the righteousness that is Christ's which exalts a nation, a church, and an individual.

Public Wisdom

For Thursday, January 12, 2006
Proverbs 14:33

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

The person of understanding possesses wisdom in his heart. He is wise because he is understanding of truth, of the ways of others, and most of all of God. To understand - to have the ability to listen and observe well so as to discern truth - that is the way and the source of wisdom. A person of understanding does not have to take courses to learn wisdom; he does not have to search for it; rather, wisdom already abides in him.

But wisdom is of such magnitude and possesses such fortitude that it makes itself recognized even in the midst of fools. It rises above foolishness, so that even the fools see the wisdom of others, even though they may reject it for themselves. Wisdom may rest in the heart of the person of understanding, but it is not hidden. It cannot but be manifested in the possessor's conduct.

And so the Word of God shines in its wisdom and acknowledged even by those who reject its Author. So Christ is honored by those who do not recognize who he is. And even we may be respected, if in truth, we walk by wisdom.

Good and Bad Death

For Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Proverbs 14:32

The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

This is a recurring theme in proverbs. The wicked, who is seeking his advantage through evildoing, is actually causing his undoing. He is working against himself. Most of the wicked experience downfall in this life. They create enemies and make themselves enemies of the state, so that often they get caught and brought to justice, or are overthrown by other wicked competitors. Regardless of what happens in this life, all the wicked are overthrown in the next life. All receive their just reward, which is everlasting. God will not be mocked.

The righteous, however, finds eternal refuge in their death, for they enter into the eternal rest won for them by Jesus Christ. This, by the way, marks the real difference between a good death and a bad death. It is not the circumstance of what caused death, but the state of the person when death comes. A person who dies in a horrifying manner dies a good death if he is immediately ushered into glory; a person who dies peacefully in old age dies a bad death if he is ushered into damnation.

"Be near me when I'm dying; o show thy cross to me!" (from O Sacred Head, Now Wounded).

Loving God and Neighbor

For Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Proverbs 14:31

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

God takes personally how we treat our neighbor. Here are other verses making the same point.

"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconiled to your brother, and then come and ofer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39).

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'" (Matthew 25:40).

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Peter 3:7).

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19-21).

A Tranquil Heart

For Monday, January 9, 2006
Proverbs 14:30

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
but envy makes the bones rot.

This is a good proverb to post on your mirror or refrigerator, wherever you are going to see it daily. The apostle Paul who faced more troubles and deprivations than most people found the blessing of a tranquil heart. Read what he says in Philippians 4:11-13:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I now how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things though him who strengthens me."

Let's be honest. What bothers us more than being in need is being in need when others have plenty. What makes us most discontent about our paychecks is not that it is hard to pay bills, but that others can buy more and be more financially secure with their larger paychecks. What bothers us more about not being "successful" is comparing ourselves with others who have done better than we.

But envy makes the bones, our bones, rot. It robs us of peace; it robs us of peaceful relations. It makes us less productive, less useful for the kingdom of God, and that is precisely what Satan wants. Recognize your enemy. It is not the other person who has climbed higher in success than you. It is not God who seemingly withholds blessings from you. It is not yourself with your limitations. It is Satan who hates you and wants to embitter you, making you unfruitful for the work God has given you.

Because Paul knew how to be content, he could not only endure his troubles, but through those same troubles be all the more fruitful in his labors. Pray for a tranquil heart; pray for contentment. The Lord is happy to fulfill such a request, and you will be surprised at the blessings that seem to fall your way.