Page 26 - Living Light 88

Fri March 28 - Faithfulness & the snare of pornography Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
Proverbs 5:15
This whole section of the proverb (verses 15-20) is urging marital faithfulness. The imagery of cisterns and water courses is used to impress upon us the importance of staying true to that which is our own: the ‘wife of your youth’ (v 18). There is even a warning against pornography in verse 20. The biblical Greek word ‘porneia’ is applied to any form of extramarital sex. If this is not a temptation that you wrestle with, then do pray for those for whom it might be a significant issue.
The importance of marital fidelity is so key to the well-being of a couple, their children and society at large. Admittedly, there are some abusive and dangerous relationships which result in victims needing protection and escape. Where this is the case, the church family can show real support. On Sunday I remarked that I would give greater weight to the more literal interpretation of the warnings and exhortations in Proverbs chapter 5, but it is worth considering faithfulness in general. When the Apostle Paul listed nine characteristics he called ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ in Galatians 5:22-23, faithfulness is right at the heart of that list. It is too easy to be fickle in our relationships with God, with our family members, our friends, and in our commitments. Faithfulness in all these areas is a quality to be prized and nurtured. Finally, look up and think about 2 Timothy 2:11-13.
Faithful God, true and loving, please grow the fruit of faithfulness in my life. Amen.
Saturday March 29 - Shame and guilt
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
Proverbs 5:21
Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde have all been credited with a certain prank which was reputed to show that everyone has a dark secret to hide. It’s probably an urban myth, but the story goes that one of these three men sent telegrams to twelve respected and reputable gentlemen friends merely saying, ‘Flee, all has been discovered!’ All twelve fled the country within the day. The point of the story was that everyone has certain ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ which would bring great shame on the person if they were revealed.
Proverbs 5:21 states bluntly,: ‘Your ways are in full view of the Lord’. Hebrews 4:13 is even more explicit: ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’ It’s interesting to note that, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God in Eden, their first sense was one of ‘shame’, and they made a futile attempt to hide from God (Genesis 3:8). They were like us – often more concerned with shame than with guilt; with saving face and preserving a reputation than with facing up to our sin and repenting.
God knows us through and through and – remarkably – he still loves us. Shame keeps us from him, whereas guilt compels us to turn to him for mercy and grace.
Loving Lord, you know me and yet you love me. Thank you! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY