Hobart Herd Proverbs 17 – 4-17-20
This chapter in Proverbs seems to spend the majority of the emphasis on avoiding strife in relationships and growing in the wisdom of when to rebuke and confront, and when to let love cover a multitude of sins.(vs. 9) Verses 1-3, talks about a wise servant who becomes a part of the family by dealing with strife appropriately. After all the true Tester of the heart is God alone.(vs. 3) We must understand that to justify the wicked or condemn the righteous puts us in deep trouble with the Lord. (vs. 15)
My favorite verse in this chapter is verse 6, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”(ESV) If you have grandchildren, you know that there is nothing more precious in our lives. I have pictures to prove this if you need further proof.
The verses that touched my heart the most today are verses 27-28: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.(ESV) Ouch! These verses remind me of my need to remain silent when dealing with conflict or stress in relationships until all sides are heard and the truth is revealed. I have a tendency to listen to people in strife and immediately “instruct” them with my idea of righteous truth. So many times if I had waited quietly for the all of the troubled outbursts, the truth reveals itself. I have learned that many times I don’t need to “instruct” or correct others, but if I let them talk and listen to themselves objectively, they know the truth and usually the way to correct opens up right before their eyes. I am really not that wise in and of myself, but the Holy Spirit can reveal truth without my input. I can be a fool and the Word and the Holy Spirit can make others consider my wise and intelligent.
Father, I thank You that by the power of Your Spirit in my life, You turn a very foolish man into someone who is deemed wise and intelligent. Keep my lips from speaking quickly when I haven’t listened and sought You for wisdom and the truth. May I learn to cover a multitude of sins with Your love and forgiveness.
Thank You for my family, and the joy my grandchildren bring into my life. They are truly a beautiful crown of glory that I love dearly. I ask You for wisdom in dealing with the strife of relationships that surround us during this time of forced togetherness in our homes. Give me the ability to act wisely to reduce the stress of strife and the wisdom to correct my own life first and have grace for those who are struggling. In Jesus name, Amen! Pastor Rob