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Thursday May 22 - Virtue of prudence
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts
out folly. Proverbs 12:23
I’m sure you’ve had those fruitless discussions where the conversation is ‘trumped’ by someone saying something bigger and better. A prudent man knows what to say, and when to say it. He has knowledge, but he is circumspect about sharing it. If he knows a person’s failure, grace keeps him from spreading it. If he sees a speck in someone’s eye, he waits until he has removed the beam from his own. He is easy to spot in a crowd, for he will be seen carefully listening more than garrulously talking.
A fool is also easy to spot in a crowd, for he cannot stop talking, and his words are many and meaningless. He is all too ready to give his opinion; he will talk about the failures of others, seemingly unable to restrain his words. He loves to gossip and whisper, making known bad news rather than good. He is content to point out the speck in another’s eye while oblivious to the plank obscuring his own vision.
Dear friend, Jesus is our example in all things; his words were purposefully chosen. He was at peace with himself, neither needing to self-promote nor put himself down. He knew when to speak, and when to remain silent. His silence often spoke louder than his words. Let’s be still in God’s presence and consider how we might respond.
Father, I am sorry for the times when I blurt out, rather than listen. May my heart be more attuned to you and to others. Amen.
Friday May 23 - Kind words
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25
Why not give a kind word away? A kind word costs nothing, but it lifts the heavy- hearted and makes the sad heart glad. As Christians, we are called to love one another; this is a one-on-one responsibility. Often we can be too preoccupied with our own lives to notice the needs of others. A heavy heart finds itself weighed down by cares, circumstances, and troubles. It needs more than just “Smile, Jesus loves you!” Such a heart needs empathy, it needs love’s embrace, it needs to be strengthened by those who are willing to ‘weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15).
Job’s three self-righteous friends did not have a good word to say to lift his heavy heart. Instead, they accused him of hypocrisy and sin – accusations that rubbed salt into his wounds. We are called to ‘carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2). There are people whom you know to be struggling. Take time to convert that thought into a kind word and then into a kind action. Before long, guess what? – that kind action becomes a kind habit. There’s a lady in our church fellowship who practices this principle; to all around she is kindness personified. How wonderful – but she is not meant to be unique!
Father, I thank you that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, and he often did it with words. Please anoint me today with your power so that I may do the same. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY