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PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Friday March 14 - The power to act
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your
power to act. Proverbs 3:27
Today we come to the first instruction in our chapter that’s to do with others. Up to this point, the teaching the father has given his son has been concerned with the son’s own personal pursuit of wisdom and relationship with God. But now it’s time to start looking outwards and thinking about what matters when relating to others. So we have a short list of instructions in verses 27-30, beginning with the command to not withhold good, through to not plotting harm or falsely accusing.
The first command, to not withhold good, seems on the surface like an obvious thing, but it’s something we need to be reminded of regularly. Often, it’s not because we’re stingy (although sometimes we are), but simply a bit self-centred and forgetful. Whereas we know that plotting harm or falsely accusing is wrong, not acting for someone’s good when we have the power to do so is a more subtle temptation. Whether it’s to do with material issues, like finances or possessions, or something that can seem insignificant, like a smile or a word of encouragement – when someone needs those things, if it’s in our power to do so, we should give them. It helps to think about what we would want if we were in their situation, and remember Jesus’ command, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
Lord, please help me be aware of when I can act for someone else’s good, and then to do so. Amen.
Saturday March 15 - The inheritance of wisdom The wise inherit honour, but fools get only shame. Proverbs 3:35
We began the week together noting the benefits of wisdom in Proverbs 3:1-2 – a prolonged life, peace and prosperity. We finish the week with the chapter’s final verse which states what the wise inherit compared to what fools get: honour to the wise, shame to the foolish.
In the context of Proverbs, a ‘fool’ is someone who refuses to take advice or learn from mistakes. A fool may do well in the short term, but in the end, their foolishness leads to their downfall. The wise, on the other hand, seek out good advice, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately fear the Lord and shun evil. This stands them in good stead, which in the end brings them honour and blessing.
I know which one I’d rather be! That’s why I do my best to live by Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27 and build my house upon the rock rather than on shifting sand. That rock is God’s truth, revealed in his word and in the life of Jesus. When we build our lives on that solid foundation, then whatever storms rage around us, we’ll be able to stand firm through them. That’s what the father who wrote the proverbs we’ve looked at this week wanted for his son, and it’s what God, our heavenly Father, wants for us.
Thank you, Lord God, that you’re a good father who wants to teach me how to live my life built on your truth, that will stand the test of time. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY