Proverbs 29:2 Again? A nugget worth uncovering

² When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
    when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Come on, Solomon, are you going to go over this same plowed field again? Nooooo, there is a nugget here that we need to unearth!

Check out the first part of the verse:

            "when the righteous thrive, the people rejoice.."

Now, how long has it been since you saw a righteous person thriving? And when you did, did you take a moment to rejoice?

There are two prongs to my question -- one is, did you take the time to thank our Father for blessing that righteous person? Whether it was you, yourself who was thriving, or someone else, did the overwhelming feeling of gratitude possess you, and cause you to thank Him for His mercy and grace?

 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:18)

The second prong is this --- if it WAS someone else, did you take the time to rejoice WITH that righteous person? Sometimes it is such a blessing to have another Christian take the time to notice, and to let you know that they noticed!   

It's a wonderful thing to praise God together. It's a wonderful thing to be able to tell your story to an understanding soul, and allow yourself the opportunity to "testify" as the old folks said. It's an opportunity to encourage your hearer to hang on, to keep following a righteous path, and to claim His promises of blessing and His presence. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

So many good things in a small nugget!