Title: More Public Rebuke than Hidden Love!
Contents
Early morning prayer and meditation on August 22.
- Proverbs 27:1-13
If you read and savor the words of Proverbs slowly, verse by verse, you will feel ashamed of yourself as the corrupt, vicious, and lazy nature of our human beings has been thoroughly exposed and denounced. There were times when I thought and accepted it as just a good compliment or advice for living in the world, but as I get older and realize how unfriendly and messy the world is, and as I unknowingly become infected and influenced by it, the writer of Proverbs Before insight, we kneel before the counsel of God, who strongly exhorts us through Proverbs. Today's sermon shows how valuable a friend's honest rebuke is on the topic of friendship.
To this end, verses 1-2, which are the introductory chapters, advise against overconfidence in the future or self-praise. Because we don't have the strength or the ability to take even the slightest bit of control over tomorrow. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what will happen in a day.” It really is. We don't know how often we've been blown away by bragging about the future. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus also tells the parable of the rich man who is eating, drinking, and rejoicing, having a lot of goods for his soul for many years to come. No?” (Luke 12:20). Both of these verses refer to those who “lay up wealth for themselves and are not rich toward God.” In other words, “those who are not rich toward God” easily boast of tomorrow, and if you look closely at their hearts, you will find that they exalt themselves and are full of love.
Also, verse 2 shows how easily we can praise and boast of ourselves if we are not rich in God. How light our lips are when we have something we want to brag about. But today's Word touches our nature. No matter how tired your mouth is, you have to control your lips. In Psalm 141:3, David also earnestly prayed, “Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD, and keep the door of my lips.” If you can keep your lips like this, the benefit is praise from others. That's right. No matter how good a job is, if you boast about it and no one acknowledges it, you will be ashamed of it. Even if you think it is not a big deal and you are silent, when others acknowledge and praise you, it is truly an honor.
In conclusion, today's verse of Proverbs exhorts us to yearn for wisdom, to cherish a friend who gives us “loyal counsel,” and to be that friend ourselves. Verse 10 emphasizes that those who really need me in difficult times and days of trouble are not distant relatives or brothers, but “near neighbors.” Personally, I am looking forward to making these friends through the discipleship training that begins in September. Regardless of age and status, as “friends of faith” who give me “loyal counsel” and share life with me, and “near neighbors” who are closer than distant brothers, laugh together, cry together, read the Word together, and pray together. I pray that it will be formed, that it will be established.