Living Every Day
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly delights a man who lacks judgment,
but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise
to keep him from going down to the grave. [a]
25 The LORD tears down the proud man's house
but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself,
but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, [b]
and humility comes before honor.
Reflection of Bee:
What stands out tonight in the passage above is the word "cheerful". How to be "cheerful" when we are feeling sad? Perhaps v16 & 17 give the answers:
"Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred."Yes, fearing God and receiving or giving love is BETTER than "wealth with turmoil" or "fattened calf with hatred". What does it profit us if we have wealth and live in luxury but without love and God in our life? Life is more than these. When we fear God, He will teach us how to choose wisely.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to be cheerful because I have You in my heart. I pray that You will put a new song in my heart each day so that Your joy will give me strength to go on in spite of difficulties in life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Reflection of Tommy:
Over the years, one thing that I’m always very grateful and thankful to God is how He has showed to me how to live my life by seeing Him in everything. Although trials and sufferings are still there, but my perspective has changed from worrying or feeling miserable or angered to one that fully trusting in His loving care. Seeing God in everything also make me loving, kind and patient with those who trouble or annoy me.
However, this doesn’t mean we must like or enjoy the trial itself, but to see God’s will in our trials, the will of love. By seeing this reality, our lives become one long thanksgiving, giving true joy, courage, peace and rest for our heart in this broken world. When we can abandon ourselves to God in perfect trust, He will lead us into wonderful green pastures of inward rest and beside blessedly still waters of inward refreshment!
Dear Father, thank You for the joy and assurance I have in Your loving hand. Continue to teach me to surrender all to You, trusting in You for all my needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
