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Today: Proverbs 12:8-17; John 9:1-34; Ruth 1 & 2
Proverbs 12
There is so much good relevant truth in today’s Proverb! Let’s look at some of the wisdom it contains…
“One who works his land will have plenty of bread, but one who pursues worthless things lacks sense.” Proverbs 12:11
There is no shortage of worthless things parading around for our pursuit. We are constantly bombarded by advertising to buy this and buy that. Marketers have devised ways to incorporate their ads into EVERYTHING we see and do. And almost 100% of them are pushing “worthless things.”
“An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips, but the righteous will escape from trouble.” Proverbs 12:13
People don’t use their lips so much to spread “offense” anymore. Today they use their fingers. They hurl their vitriol all over cyberspace. And the “offense” goes both ways. Some of the most vile trolls are the ones who GET offended by everything. Ever notice how the people who are the most easily offended are the same ones spewing out the most offense?
“A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent person conceals dishonor.” Proverbs 12:16
The Message Bible interprets this verse as, “Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.” Ever hear the advice to “just keep scrolling”? Good advice!
John 9
“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25
Once again, Jesus performed an astounding healing, this time of a man born blind. And all the Pharisees could focus on was that the miracle happened on the Sabbath. They were so blinded by their rules that they couldn’t even recognize such a huge miracle. (That is legalism for you!)
I love the simplicity of the blind man’s testimony. He didn’t know any details about Jesus but he didn’t care. He told the Pharisees, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know! One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (v.25)
The Pharisees did their usual thing and “spoke abusively to him.” (v.28) They ridiculed him and puffed themselves up. But the man was unfazed by their abuse. He KNEW the truth because it was his own personal experience. He had truly encountered Jesus and it changed him forever.
I also “was blind, now I see.” For many years I was spiritually blind, chasing after worthless things. But I was quite remarkably saved by Jesus from that life in my early 30s. He miraculously healed me from depression and drug addiction. He also physically brought me back to life from the dead. When I was 30 years old I died, my spirit floated above my dead body, but God brought me back to life! I also encountered Jesus and I will never be the same.
That is why I am completely unfazed by the mockers who think I am stupid for believing in Jesus. I have personally experienced God’s healing power. I, too, can say to the scoffers, “Well, here is the amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from; and yet He opened my eyes!” (v.30)
Ruth 1 & 2
“Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” Ruth 1:16-17
The book of Ruth contains a beautiful story of faithfulness between a woman and her mother-in-law. Notice that Ruth not only makes a commitment to stay with Naomi, she also chose to follow the one true God of the Israelites. Her sister-in-law had already “gone back to her people and her gods.” (v.15)
In that culture, being a widow without family meant the most difficult life of poverty, hunger, and loneliness. By choosing to stay with Naomi, and with the Israelite God, Ruth is also consigning herself to a life of need. But God blessed both women! He provided food and protection for them through His servant, Boaz.
Tune in tomorrow for the rest of this great story!
