Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 16 June 2017 "Who Are Faithful?" by Phil Pinckard Proverbs 20:1-15
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise.
2 The dread of a king is like when a lion roars;
he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.
he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.
3 Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor;
for any fool can explode in anger.
for any fool can explode in anger.
4 A lazy person won’t plow in winter;
so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.
so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.
5 The heart’s real intentions are like deep water;
but a person with discernment draws them out.
but a person with discernment draws them out.
6 Most people announce that they show kindness,
but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?
but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?
7 The righteous live a life of integrity;
happy are their children after them.
happy are their children after them.
8 The king seated on his judgment throne
can winnow out all evil with his glance.
can winnow out all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,
I am cleansed from my sin”?
I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 False weights and false measures —
Adonai detests them both.
11 The character of even a child is known by how he acts,
by whether his deeds are pure and right.
Adonai detests them both.
11 The character of even a child is known by how he acts,
by whether his deeds are pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye —
Adonai made them both.
Adonai made them both.
13 If you love sleep, you will become poor;
keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.
keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.
14 “Really bad stuff!” says the buyer [to the seller];
then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].
then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].
15 A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls,
but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
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“Earnest,” “loyal,” “steadfast,” and “true:” all these are synonyms for “faithful.” The writer of the Proverbs asks “a faithful person who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). Scripture devotes Hebrews 11 to defining and illustrating “faith” and “faithfulness.” These concepts take on substance and become evident in the lives of heroes from Abel to Joseph: noting also Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants.
John Wesley wrote, “Faith is that divine evidence whereby the spiritual man discerneth God and the things of God. It is with regard to the spiritual world what sense is with regard to the natural. It is the spiritual sensation of every soul that is born of God,” [Works XI, 46].* Will those who come behind you find you faithful?
Proverbs 20 says, “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
* W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta [1999-2003]: Candler School of Theology, p 14."I Would Be True" by Howard A. Walter
but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
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“Earnest,” “loyal,” “steadfast,” and “true:” all these are synonyms for “faithful.” The writer of the Proverbs asks “a faithful person who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). Scripture devotes Hebrews 11 to defining and illustrating “faith” and “faithfulness.” These concepts take on substance and become evident in the lives of heroes from Abel to Joseph: noting also Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants.
John Wesley wrote, “Faith is that divine evidence whereby the spiritual man discerneth God and the things of God. It is with regard to the spiritual world what sense is with regard to the natural. It is the spiritual sensation of every soul that is born of God,” [Works XI, 46].* Will those who come behind you find you faithful?
Proverbs 20 says, “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
* W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta [1999-2003]: Candler School of Theology, p 14."I Would Be True" by Howard A. Walter
- I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare. - I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift. - I would be faithful through each passing moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be strong to follow where He leads me;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod. - Who is so low that I am not his brother?
Who is so high that I’ve no path to him?
Who is so poor I may not feel his hunger?
Who is so rich I may not pity him? - Who is so hurt I may not know his heartache?
Who sings for joy my heart may never share?
Who in God’s heav’n has passed beyond my vision?
Who to hell’s depths where I may never fare? - May none, then, call on me for understanding,
May none, then, turn to me for help in pain,
And drain alone his bitter cup of sorrow,
Or find he knocks upon my heart in vain.
Thought for the Day:
This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God’s people, those who observe his commands and exercise Yeshua’s faithfulness.[Revelation 14:12].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Cote d'Ivoire.
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