May 25, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 25
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Following Scripture Verses

1. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Today's Pathway:
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"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:" - Proverbs 25:21

There are many places in the Scriptures where we read of our responsibility to be a blessing to others. We are to love our brethren, and we are to minister to those who have needs. Many of us do a pretty good job of helping out those who we know well, or perhaps our fellow church members. We are usually quick to come to the aid of someone who has helped us in the past. However, in today's passage Solomon instructs his son to be sure to be a blessing to his enemies as well.

Many of us have enemies. We all have people who do not like us very much, perhaps because of our strong stand for the Word of God. Most of us have acquaintances who say ugly things about us behind our backs, or simply do not treat us with common decency. We tend to think that we are showing great Christian love towards these people by not responding to them in kind. The fact that we haven't stooped to their level makes us feel like we are "super Christians". Certainly, we ought never behave like they behave. But we have not been instructed to ignore them, either. We have been commanded by God to be a blessing and help to them, no matter how they may have treated us.

If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Anyone can show love to a friend, but it takes the power of God to show love towards an enemy. It doesn't take anything special to ignore an opponent, but it takes the grace of God to be a blessing to him.

Who is that person in your life that most closely identifies with the word "enemy"? Have you met any of their needs recently?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery