Thursday, June 14, 2012

Proverbs 22: 12 Am I Faithful?

The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor.
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

Today we are looking at the final "do" in this group of verses. I believe we should call this one "be faithful."

Solomon tells us that the Lord guards and protects knowledge, and wisdom. Matthew Henry's commentary says that He keeps watch over  the knowledge of Himself and of good and evil, because man is sinful and Satan is scheming.  Henry says that God protects men and women of knowledge, and also those who are faithful witnesses.
II Chronicles 16:9a tells us: " For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." 
There are many verses in the Bible that encourage us to be faithful. Even in the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we are exhorted to "be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
These studies are not about what I think. I try to make certain that they are about what the Bible says. The Bible instructs us to be faithful in small things as well as "big" things.  Where to start? Well, we need to be faithful in our marriages; we should be faithful in our stewardship; we should try to show faithfulness in our relationships with other Christians and unbelievers alike; and most importantly, we must be faithful in our relationship with God.
How to practice this?
Well, we must start by being faithful when no one is looking.  Make up your mind to be faithful, before the situation arises. And don't forget to ask the Lord to help you!
If you have time, leave a comment that might encourage others, as they try to be faithful Christians.
 

3 comments:

  1. As I read the part about being faithful in our relationships with Christians and unbelievers alike, I had to really think about that, and ask myself if I do that. And I think the answer is, maybe sometimes, but not all the time.

    (I keep trying to write words, and the Lord keeps making me take them out of the comment box. ;)

    The only thing that sticks in my brain, is DO IT GIRL! Determine in your heart to begin every day as you mean to go on. If you fail, start again! Keep the faith. Stand up for what you know is right. Live His word. Period.

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  2. Be faithful when no one is looking. Great advice.
    A word of encouragement would be that when you/me mess up, ask for forgivness and begin again. Don't beat yourself/myself up over the mistakes I make. Just stand!

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  3. As part of my being faithful in my relationship with God, I begin each day with prayer. Sometimes, I am running late and my prayers feel rushed, so I stop myself and start over again. I know God hears even my rushed prayers, but I need to hear them and be fully present in them as a part of my committment to my faith.

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