“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you. Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in His confidence. The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners He is scornful, but to the humble He gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.”- Prov. 3:27-35
Today we bring “our look” at the third chapter of Proverbs to an end…for now. The whole book speaks to my fallen condition so specifically, that is why I keep coming back to this book. The passages today not only reminds me of what God expects of me as a man, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a pastor but it challenges the pride and the prejudice that hangs on even after all these years. The Proverbs are a call to humility because that is where true wisdom is displayed. Humility is the one strength that we can only have as God continues to give us His grace. We are made humble by the LORD and we must choose humility every day or things get out of sync in this life of faith, really fast.
The above few verse remind how to treat others. He emphasizes the negative “Do not…” (5 times) because this is what we are prone to do. But for those who have ears to hear, we hear the underlying message that is, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”(Phil. 2:3). (See how Scripture interprets and strengthens Scripture?)
Read through the lines above again as you start your day and then ask…what is this requiring of me today? How should I treat those that God puts in my path today based on what this text tells me as one of God’s own? Let me tell you, as one who asks himself these question from time to time (not often enough though) these are tough because we want to set our own agenda, we want to be in control, we wish to think first about ourselves…and even if we are not consciously thinking this way…it is often what happens since we do not examine our heart enough to check ourselves or to let others check it for us.
As I re-read this passage today I was immediately transported forward to II Cor. 13:11. While the Proverb passages tells us what NOT to do the New Testament passage tells us exactly what TO DO. “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” God’s Word is very clear to any who has been saved…that is part of the favor or grace that He guarantees to us. Those who are humble will see it. Those who are humble are the wise ones who will and have inherited honor and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. “…the upright are in His confidence. The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners He is scornful, but to the humble He gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.”-
So this morning, push away from the screen and pray to God seeking forgiveness for all the plans you made today without asking for and waiting for His input and then seek “…in humility (to) count others more significant than yourselves.” When we seek to humble ourselves before the Lord and spend more time thinking of others we will experience the favor that comes from God alone.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
