What is my response to the failing of another?

I know what I want it to be: Cover it with compassion, mercy, forgiveness, support, encouragement, prayer, and love.

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Proverbs 17:9).

Whose love is being sought here?

The erring one’s, for sure.

It strikes me this morning, though, that such a response also seeks God’s love as well. Not that anything we can do helps us merit God’s love, of course. However, there’s a solid Biblical foundation for stating that God responds to us as we respond to others.

Proverbs 17:27 also caught my attention this morning:

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”

It seems the more I (think I) know, the more I have to resist the urge to say more. So this verse is one of those proverbial timely reminders for me.

Sometimes — often times — thinking right thoughts seems nigh impossible. Or at least, terribly difficult.

I believe Proverbs 16:3 reveals one way to right thinking.

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

To think right, do right.

That seems like a works-based solution, I know. But the fact is, we cannot do right unless we know God and are known of Him.

Without Him we can do nothing to please Him.

So it still comes back to Him. Not me and what I can do.

Here’s another fact: Each of us needs to come back to Him.

Like a hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.”

That’s me!