Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. ~ Proverbs 24: 17-18

There are some things we should not be happy about. One of them is when an enemy receives his due. I can recall as a child that it would play out this way: someone would say something mean to me, and then trip and fall on their face carrying an open can of soda. Inside, I was laughing and thinking “You got what you deserved!” Outside, I feigned pity. As an adult, I’ve had similar happenings. I’ve tried to show pity, but I’ve secretly rejoiced over my enemy’s misfortune. In some cases, I was mad at myself for feeling happy about my enemy’s downfall, but I still couldn’t deny that vindication felt good.

I’m here today to say that I needed these verses. As you can see from my above statement, I’m not very good at heeding them. I hope that I’m not the only one who loves seeing the saying, “What goes around, comes around,” come true.

But Christ has a high standard. In Matthew 5:44 says, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That’s pretty hard to do! Only through Christ can this be achieved. The same is true of today’s verses. I can’t stop the initial, fleshly satisfaction at seeing an evil-doer receive his comeuppance, but I can keep those thoughts from remaining in my mind. I can repent of them, pray for that person and move on in my own life. If that “enemy” is a child of God, then He can take care of it without any help from me. This verse also says that being joyful over another’s calamity displeases the Lord, and I truly do not want to do that. While we should rejoice about many things in this life, the fall of our enemy is not one of them.

Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. ~ Proverbs 23:17

As a child, I didn’t enjoy the Christian life that my parents forced upon me. I didn’t like my Christian school. I didn’t like going to church THREE times a week and sitting for an hour or more. I didn’t like going  back to church EVERY Thursday night for soulwinning, even though I was allowed to stay at church and play in the gym. I didn’t like kids’ choir practice. I didn’t like dressing differently from my peers in the world. I wanted to fit in. I couldn’t do that very well since I wasn’t watching the TV shows and movies that my neighbors watched or listening to the music they listened to. I was an oddball. I hated being odd, even though I knew the Bible says we are to be a “peculiar people”, I still hated it. The problem was my sin. I was abiding under the wrath of God, therefore, trying to be a Christian was an impossibility for me. I spent most of my days envying those in the world who were relaxed, comfortable and seemingly happy.

As of June 12, 1993, my perspective did a 180° turn. I still felt like an oddball, but that was because all fifteen year olds feel that way. After I met Christ, I didn’t loath Christian activities anymore. In fact, now I was seeking after those things. I had a hunger and thirst for righteousness. I enjoyed hearing the preaching – it finally made sense! I started to love singing, and I began thinking about the words to those songs. I noticed they were rich with love and praise for the Savior, and sometimes, I actually became misty-eyed during congregational singing. For the first time in my life, prayer was talking to my Father, not just going through a hollow tradition. The Bible, while still confusing in places, was opening itself up like never before.  My mind didn’t wander as often. Everything was different.

My salvation was over 21 years ago. I wish I could say that I have never envied the un-saved world since that day. I wish I could say that I had the LORD on my mind first thing each morning for 21 years.  But that would be a lie. I have often felt envy toward the success of the world – their fame, their finances, or their fun. I’m sorry to say that sometimes I fall into a pity-party, thinking how hard my life is as I labor for the Lord. But just as those jealous thoughts start to dig in and grow roots, the Holy Spirit reminds me of today’s verse, or one of the following verses:

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. ~Psalm 1:4-5

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. ~ Psalm 9:17

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. ~ Psalm 37:1-2

The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. ~ Proverbs 10:30

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. ~ Ecclesiastes 8:13

After recalling some of these passages, I no longer feel envious of the world. Instead, I become thankful for the destiny that God has provided me. The things that I had just viewed as “sacrifices”, I now see as “opportunities”. I feel moved to share the Gospel with others, so that they might know how wonderful this Christian life is! I go from envy, to gratitude in 2.3 seconds. And it’s all because of the precious Word of God.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. ~ Proverbs 22:1

Who doesn’t need more money? I see ads all the time that claim I can make “$5,000 a week from home”. Of course, my parents taught me that if it sounds too good to be true, it is. But if I stop to ponder exactly what $5,000 a week would do to my life, it could be tempting.  Today’s verse puts a halt on thoughts like that, though. Just what would I have to sacrifice to get more money? Time with my family? Then what would they think about their wife and mother? Would I have to spend time with unsavory people? What does that say about me? The list goes on and on. Proverbs 22:1 says plainly that if I can keep a good name, then I have something worth more than gold. I would rather reject money and work on my testimony. After all, I have a lot of work to do!

While growing up, I often heard preachers say that your testimony takes years to build, but can be destroyed in seconds. How true. Since then, I’m sorry to say that I’ve seen it happen over and over. Each time, I am reminded how easily it could be me!

I can’t think of a single time where I’ve actually had to choose between money or my testimony, but if that time ever comes, I hope I will choose to the good name because truly, it is greater than gold.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. ~ Proverbs 21:13

In sixth grade, my Christian school teacher gave us an assignment to illustrate a verse from Proverbs. Today’s verse is the one that I chose. After all the assignments were turned in, she had the drawings transferred to transparency film and we got to trace them using an overhead projector onto poster board. They lined the walls of the classroom for a week or so, and church members were able to see them.

My drawing has gone the way of the dinosaur, but this truth was traced upon my heart. Each week, we took a lady home from church. It felt like she lived hours away, but it was probably only about 20 minutes. The first time we met her, she lived in a teepee. I kid you not, it was a Native American style teepee! Later, her husband, who was never gainfully employed, made them a type of dug-out basement to live in. From the outside, it looked like a giant baseball mound. This woman was mentally disabled and, to me, she was a nuisance. I dreaded the long drives on Sunday mornings, when I just wanted to get home and eat and relax for a while. I sighed and complained. My parents endured me. Their flesh fought them too, but they had willing hearts that wanted to serve. They wanted to be a blessing to those who were less fortunate.

I didn’t understand the meaning of Proverbs 21:13 until years later, after I had been born-again by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s amazing how a hard heart can become soft once the Holy Spirit indwells it. Oh, I still felt hungry after church, and wanted to be home, but I became a little more compassionate, a little more understanding. I didn’t complain as much. Instead, I was thankful that I didn’t live in a dug-out. I felt blessed and somewhat joyful that we could offer this lady some help. The Lord had done a work in my heart.

I still fight my flesh when it comes to helping those in need. So many of the indigent waste resources on drugs and alcohol. I don’t want to help them in their addictions, but I do want to help those who truly have a need. I certainly don’t want to find myself on the opposite side of this, having to cry myself but not being heard. The Lord will direct me, but it begins with a willingness to listen to the cry of the poor.

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. ~ Proverbs 20:19

This verse reminded me of the popular book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. It seems to be directions on the complete opposite!

The talebearer is a dangerous person. It is heartbreaking to learn that someone has shared your confidential information with someone else. Even worse is to be the one who shared that information! The talebearer goes from place to place, gathering information that he or she can use to their advantage. I suppose the wise thing to do is keep secrets secret. If no one else should know, then tell no one. And once you’ve learned someone is a talebearer, it’s best to avoid them until they have repented of their behavior.

This verse also mentions the one who uses flattery. Flattery is defined as ” excessive and insincere praise, especially that given to further one’s own interests.” I have known such a person. I remember after singing in church one Sunday, a person came to me and complimented the song. I am grateful when the Lord uses a song to encourage someone, and I kindly thanked this person for sharing the blessing they received. But then, they kept going. . . and going. On and on and on. I was embarrassed and I soon realized that this person wasn’t blessed at all, but was just using flattery for some purpose or another. I never did find out what they were really after, but I did figure out that God had given me a living example of flattery. We do well to avoid those who continually seek to praise us.  Watch them carefully, for nine times out of ten, they are not what they seem to be.

Have you ever been tempted to use flattery to gain favor? Nothing makes me feel worse than thinking about the times I’ve tried to manipulate others for personal gain. I don’t think I’ve done this in recent years, but I am sorry to say that I have done it. I would like to deal honestly with others and flattery is not honest. Of course, I want to give sincere praise to others, but the key word is “sincere”. I don’t want to mar my testimony with this ever again!

Beware of becoming a talebearer or flatterer.  It’s a sure way to lose friends and alienate people.

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. ~ Proverbs 19:21

The greatest logical thought of man is merely a device, or imagination; vanity. God’s mind is counsel. His thoughts are bedrock. We “devise” our way, making plans for the future, but we do not have control over one single step that we take.

How often have I admired the mind of a man, perhaps an author or professor? Yet his mind is finite, and fallible. God’s mind is perfect, complete and utterly flawless. In fact, I can’t even comprehend His mind with my earthly one!

In a world ruled by the Internet, you have many opportunities to learn what men (or women) think about a topic. Let us never put our faith in the word of another human above the Word of the Lord. God’s counsel, that shall stand. When all the Earth melts with a fervent heat, God’s Word will remain for eternity because it is the mind of the Lord.

In a world replete with uncertainty and fear, what a comfort to know that God’s counsel is unshakeable, immoveable and settled forever.

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24

“I don’t have any friends.” I remember saying to my mother, usually in a whiny voice.

“Have you tried to BE a friend?” she would ask, and then she would quote today’s verse.

Too often my answer to that question was “no”. I hadn’t really been thinking about others and investing myself in their lives. Therefore, I did not feel that I had many friends. And the few times I had tried to reach out to someone, I often had ulterior motives. I would befriend the kid who had a pool or owned a movie that I wanted to see. I wasn’t genuinely interested in them. My neighbor was an annoying little girl who was two years younger than I. But she brought Pudding Pops, so I played with her. See what I mean?

As time passed, I did better at being a friend, so I gained a few friends. But I found out that many people who claimed to be my friends, weren’t genuine. Adversity unveils the truth about ourselves and about others.

We cannot overlook a big truth in this little verse. “A man that hath friends, must shew himself friendly. . .” Notice the word “must”. It is a little verb  with a large meaning. That word means “to be obliged to; should”. If you want a friend, then you are obliged to be a friend. You will not have friends for long if they see that their concern for you is not reciprocated. That doesn’t mean that we should begin keeping tally marks each time we do something for someone and they do something in return. It just means that in general, friends care for each other. It’s a mutual understanding.

The last part of this verse is the most beautiful part, in my eyes anyway. “…there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Who else could that be besides the Lord Jesus Christ? I promise that I will certainly let you down. I will disappoint you. Ask my husband and children! I fail all the time. But Christ never fails them, or me. He is with us in our darkest moments after all the world has walked out. He knows how it is to be alone in the world. Mark 14:15 says “And they all forsook him [Jesus], and fled.”

I want to invest in the friends God has given me. God has used people who live hundreds of miles away to uplift me in my darkest valleys, and I want to show my gratitude to them. But my relationship with the Lord Jesus should take first priority in my life, above all human friends. I want to make Christ the subject of conversations and blog posts. I want to be closer to Him. I want to avoid that which displeases Him. I want to show Him – as much as my sinful flesh can – that I am His friend, too.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. ~ Proverbs 17:9

What a lovely description of devotion and love! I have failed my entire family more times than I can number. Yet they do not throw my faults in my face or rehearse them to me over and over. While I’m sure they remember some of those wounds, they never use them against me. I am so blessed. I would like to think I have shown them the same kind of mercy myself, but as I pause to consider that, I’m afraid I’ve failed in that area.

Have you ever shared something in confidence with someone, perhaps a counselor, only to find out later that it was told to others? That hurts. That’s a betrayal, something that can easily break friendships. I think I’m guilty there, too.

What a blessing to know that our Savior has forgiven our transgressions, and forgotten them! (Psalm 103:12) What a joy to know that, through Christ, I can learn to forgive and forget others’ failures, and likewise learn to keep private things private.

In my seventeen year marriage, I have said things that I regret. I have done silly, thoughtless things that have hurt my husband. He has never shared my failures with anyone, not even his parents. He could easily round up a posse of support to run me out of town if he told friends and loved ones about  all the times I’ve failed him, but he does not do this. Instead, he shows me mercy as he covers my shortcomings  with a mantle of love.

Romance is flowers, chocolate, kisses and hugs when you feel “in love”. But true love is forgiveness, mercy, protection and grace when you least deserve it. I am blessed to know that kind of love.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. ~ Proverbs 16:18

Today’s verse is one that  my friends and I would quote to one another in humor after we tripped or stumbled. “Oh! ‘Pride goeth before a fall’!” We would then laugh, while trying to hide our embarrassment. But the verse that I used as a joke as a teen, became deadly serious to me as an adult. I found these words to be painful and true. I would catch myself becoming over-confident in some area of my Christian life only to be trapped by my sin in a humiliating way. I’m too embarrassed to share details, and I’ve been forgiven anyway, but most of the time I was humbled because of my words. I have been trapped by something I’ve said more times than I can count. And Oh! The shame! I feel like I’m blushing just recalling my arrogance and stupidity!

Again, I can’t help but quote words of wisdom from Charles Bridges:

The haughty spirit carries the head high. The man looks upward, instead of to his steps. What wonder therefore, if, not seeing what is before him, he falls?. . . There is often something in the fall, that marks the Lord’s special judgment. God smites the object, of which the man is proud. David gloried in the number of his people, and the Lord diminished them by pestilence. Hezekiah boasted of his treasure, and the Lord marked it to be taken away. At the moment that Nebuchadnezzar was proud of his Babel, he was banished from the enjoyment of it.

We are so blessed, that, as Christians, we can experience the humiliation that God gives. It proves that He is chastening us, and His chastisement proves that we are His and that we are loved. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:7; Revelation 3:19) Humiliation can bring restoration, if we admit our sin. What child of God can refuse the contrite pleas of forgiveness of one who has wronged us? What a sweet time it is when fellowship between God and his child, and between Christian brothers and sisters, has been restored! I know that light-hearted feeling from experience.

I want to let this verse flash in my mind as neon warning sign. I want to be careful not to become lifted up in pride and have to endure a fall. I want to remember Paul’s message, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”  – 1 Corinthians 10:12

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. ~ Proverbs 15:1

This verse holds the “secret” of how to stop a fight in its tracks. Even the most peaceable among us have been one half of an angry confrontation.  Those, like me, who can get incensed easily, have difficulty responding with a soft answer. Charles Bridges says it like this: “We would rather feed than quench the angry flame and, before we know it, pride and passion on both sides strike together and behold! ‘how great a matter a little fire kindleth’ . (James 3:5) Thus, there is self-pleasing sarcasm. We’d rather lose a friend than miss a cleaver stroke.”

I have been guilty of letting pride take over my mind and mouth. I have also seen the blessings of heeding this passage and reaping the peace that follows. As my dad used to say, it takes two to tango. If one person refuses to argue, the argument ends. Finished. Finito. Terminado. Fertig. You get the idea.

In moments of quietness, it seems easy to nod in agreement to this verse. Yet, when the “angry flame” flares up, it’s far easier to fan it than to snuff it out. To answer and angry man softly  requires strength not of might, but of the will! However, if I can meditate upon God’s Word regularly, I will have a greater chance of obeying it when temptation leaps out at me. I pray God will help me to hold my tongue and answer softly the next time I am faced with an angry confrontation. I also pray that I will not lash out at someone in anger and force them to use this verse on me!