Category Archives: Proverbs

Yesterday I set out for town (our nearest “metropolis” — Molalla, Oregon).

I could have driven thoughtlessly about, giving no further conscious thought to destination or route.

I could have turned left at the end of our driveway and gone to Silverton.

When I got to Hwy 211, I could have continued straight ahead to Canby. Or I could have turned left and gone to Woodburn.

Upon arriving at Hwy 213, I could have turned left for Mulino or right for Silverton.

But I didn’t. I knew where I was going. I knew how to get there most directly. So I went there. No wandering. No losing my purpose. No distraction from my destination nor from my route.

I wanted to be in Molalla, so I (logically) made the choices that got me there.

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21:21).

Today may I do better than yesterday at making the conscious choice for righteousness and mercy. They lead to great finds!

In my encounters with people and situations — righteousness and mercy.

Righteousness and mercy — attributes of God, after Whom I wish to wish to pant.

Yes, that’s exactly how I meant to say it.

Glory and honor in the right response

Some offenses and wrongs are difficult for me to turn loose.

Oh, I like to think I’ve forgiven. I like to think I’m big enough and strong enough and mature enough to get over it. But sometimes I allow those wrongs and offenses to stick around like the good friends they aren’t.

In Proverbs 20 I read this morning:

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (3).

That reminded me of a verse I read yesterday:

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).

Without question, I need a greater supply of (or at least, a greater yielding to) God’s discretion. How else shall I be able to cease from strife and pass over a transgression while deferring my anger?

That is solely the Lord’s work.

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).

Not I!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Yes!