SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 14:19-35
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION
- A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. [30] Jesus stresses again and again that what really matters is what is going on in the heart. What we call “life” is the overflow of the heart, so we need to pay careful attention to what is going on inside of us. Envy is dissatisfaction, which reveals an ungrateful heart. How much better to be content, whatever the circumstances, trusting that God will provide us with everything we need (our daily bread).
- He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. [31] Do we see the connection between how we treat people and how we treat God. When we abuse or neglect someone, we are abusing or neglecting God. Not only does God hear or see what we do negatively to others, He feels it. As Jesus said, what we have done to the least of these, we have done to Him. So how have I been treating God lately?
- Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. [34] Not politics, not education, not economic prosperity, not the right government, none of these things can help our nation. We need to be right with God, living in a right way, in a right relationship with the Creator of all. Any other way is sin (deviation from God and His Way) and it leads to disgrace. This is not a call for me to judge my country, but a call to start modelling the right way, to be righteous.
PRAYER:
Lord, change my heart. This is what it takes to change the way I treat people, and what it takes to help our nation. You are calling me to be the change I want to see.