Archives: 2008

Reading:
Proverbs 15:23-33

The right words at the right time are such a blessing, both to the speaker and to the hearer.

What a thrill to know I have given the right answer or the right advice or the right perspective!

Like this:

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (23).

How to achieve that?

Here’s part of the answer:

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (28).

To give the right answer, study on it before answering.

To give the right answer, be righteous.

[He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul (Proverbs 15:32)]
from Proverbs 15:32

A little bit more from Proverbs 15: Among the Wise

Reading:
Proverbs 15:12-22

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (13).

So the route to a genuinely cheerful face is through a “merry” heart.

Hmmm. I don’t have a cheerful countenance.

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a countinual feast” (15).

And the route to a positive perspective on life is also by way of a “merry” heart. (For a life perspective, I’ll take a sense of feasting over one of evil any day!)

Hmmm. I don’t have a continual feast.

I seem to be striking out in the Merry Heart Department.

But what’s with this “merry” business?!

Lemme look in my Spanish Bible…. Well, how about that!

Verse 13 begins, “The happy heart beautifies the countenance.”

And verse 15 talks about the contented heart.

Whatever a “merry” heart is, I need one.

I want one!

Tell me how to get one.

[A man of understanding walketh uprightly (Proverbs 15:21)]
from Proverbs 15:21

A little bit more from Proverbs 15: Established Purposes