True Blessing

For Friday, September 15, 2006
Proverbs 3:33

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Rewards and trials fall on us throughout our lives. Consider then of what manner you most want to receive them and from whom.

One minister of a large, popular church has received many rewards. He has one of the largest congregations in the country, and is one of the most recognized religious figures. His church and ministry empire flourishes; he is blessed with material prosperity and gives the appearance of being a happy man. His trials would be that of receiving criticism from other Christians who disapprove of his teaching. He would also be criticized by nonreligious people as well. And no doubt there are trials associated with running such a large operation. Nevertheless, he believes he is blessed by God.

But what will he say to God when he must give account of his ministry? How will he explain that he rarely taught scripture, and when he did, he twisted it to mean what it does not say? How will he react when he learns that the crowds came to him, not out of blessing by the Lord, but because their sinful desires for worldly success were encouraged by him?

What is the blessing that God gives to the righteous? He may or may not give physical health and prosperity. The proverbs teach that the righteous typically can expect better health, longer life, and greater prosperity; even so, those are the natural results of godly living. The righteous, along with the wicked, do suffer illness, die early deaths, and struggle to pay bills. What then is the blessing they can expect that the wicked cannot have?

There is eternal salvation, eternal bliss living in the presence of God and his favor, eternal worship in the midst of multitudes of his saints, the freedom from all suffering, the freedom from ever committing, even contemplating, a sin.

There is the present blessing of this assured hope; the blessing of God's revealed Word which fills us with knowledge of our God, of his salvation, and of his instruction for life; the blessing of possessing the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability to please God and to resist sin; the blessing of the gospel of Christ which assures us of forgiveness when we do sin; the blessing of Christian fellowship and of ministering in the name of Christ; the blessing of knowing what is true, what is good; the blessing of seeing the beauty of creation and knowing the Creator.

The list can go on. The point is to know what is true blessing and from whom you want to receive it. Jesus spoke of the Pharisees who displayed their religiosity in public so as to receive acclaim. He said that they have received the reward they will get. Seek not after temporal blessing that ends in judgment. Seek the blessing of God that enters into the dwelling of your heart now and lasts through eternity.

Our Status Before God

For Thursday, September 14, 2006
Proverbs 3:32

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.

Do not choose the ways of a devious person, because in so doing you put yourself at odds with the Lord. The sinner forgets this all important factor. The person who loves to "stir things up," who finds it amusing to take advantage of others must stand before the Almighty God who will not be mocked, who will act in justice. He sees all of our schemes, and as Psalm 2:4 explaines, "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision." No one gets away with anything.

Note how our offenses are described. They are an abomination to the Lord. He does not find sin amusing, though he laughs in derision at our arrogance. Violence and devious scheming are an abomination to him. He takes sin personally as an affront to his righteousness and holiness. Pray for the wicked; pray they will come to their senses and repent; for judgment that they cannot escape awaits them.

But the upright take heart that you are in God's confidence. You are looked upon with affection; you are considered God's friend.

And yet you say, "But I too sin and am as guilty as the most notorious sinner." You would be guilty if not for the grace bestowed upon you through Jesus Christ who bore your sin and gave to you his righteousness. Through Christ, God remains "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26). In Christ you are counted as upright.

Incredible? Are you unworthy? Yes! Yes! Give humble praise to your God now who has shown and continues to show his steadfast love through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Envy

For Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Proverbs 3:31

Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways.

Do not envy a person who violates the law of God. Our society exalts violence. TV shows are as popular according to the amount of violence, promiscuity, and rancor that can be displayed. Reality shows are only as interesting as the producers are able to manipulate conflict among the contestants. Shows awarded for being cutting edge are shows that glamorize the mob, other forms of violence, and promiscuity. Notoriety is the preferred form of fame and the easiest path to take to popularity. Those who are notorious are hailed for their independence and their boldness. Radio and TV talkshow hosts reach success by being rancorous.

Do not envy such persons. Do not exalt them. And definitely do not copy them. Envy the man of peace, the person who strives to serve God, the individual who is marked by humility. Envy the person who possesses wisdom; the one who follows God's royal command to love his neighbor as himself. Envy the person who is content.

Envy the person who loves Jesus Christ because he knows the atoning love of Christ.

The Contenders

For Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Proverbs 3:30

Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.

Do not pick a fight. It seems an easy enough rule to follow, and yet we transgress it more than we may think. We don't consciously say to ourselves that we want to start a fight, but then our actions may reveal more than we care to admit.

Just trying to have a little fun, we tease someone and are "surprised" that he would take it so seriously.

Some of us take pride in speaking our mind, letting people know where we stand. Or to say it another way, we are ready to take anyone on. We contend for no reason when we speak or act rudely. We make unnecessary remarks about a person's appearance or cut in front of another car or a person standing in line. We are contending, riling up another person unnecessarily.

This proverb does not forbid contending; it forbids contending against someone who is not doing us harm. There are enough times when we are to contend for the sake of justice, to have truth be heard, and in proper self-defense. All the more then we are not to contend when it is uncalled for. Otherwise, the appropriate times to contend lose their effectiveness because we are regarded as contentious persons anyhow. "That's the way _____ is. Just ignore him."

Christians should be known as those slow to anger and slow to cause anger. It is laid upon us to contend for the sake of the gospel. Thus, to be known as people who contend for the sake of trivial matters, and especially to contend without cause, embarrasses our witness for the gospel of Christ. As much as is possible, let us today be at peace for the sake of the gospel.

Dwelling in Trust

For Monday, September 11, 2006
Proverbs 3:29

Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.

What sort of a neighbor are you? Are you the sort who gets asked to watch a house or hold onto a set of extra keys, to collect the mail or watch after the pets, to keep an eye on child or borrow car? Are you a person who is happily lent tools or asked for advice, who is seen as friendly and easy to talk to, who cares for others and the well-being of the neighborhood?

Today's proverb seems to assume that the wise person will be just such a neighbor, the kind of individual within the community who fosters the trust of others and a sense of dwelling securely alongside his or her companions.

Yet, we are imperfect. Even the best of neighbors can disappoint or fail to come through. Trusts can be betrayed and neighborliness can turn to treachery. How many once cordial friends have ended up on opposite sides in small claims court? How often has security devolved into animosity?

In Jesus Christ we find that God has come to dwell among us as the best of neighbors and only with and in him can we finally dwell in full security and trust. Yet out of that trust, and by the power of his Spirit, we can more and more embody the sort of care and trustworthiness that this proverb invites.