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Wisdom

Cities overthrown

11 By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. (Book of Proverbs, Chapter 11, Amplified Version)

This passage made me think of Cairo this morning. The city surely was exalted for a period as happy crowds rejoiced. Now, it seems that wicked mouths have plunged the city and the nation into chaos. I pray for Egypt, the one-time home of Jesus and Moses. I pray especially for the families there with small children as violence and want threaten the fabric of the society.

Likewise, I pray for the other cities rocked by violence in the recent weeks, months, and year. Istanbul and Ankara come to mind. So do Damascus and so many other cities in Syria. So do Baghdad and cities throughout Iraq. So do Kabul and communities throughout Afghanistan. Mali comes to mind.

Let us all join in prayer for those who are suffering in all those cities and nations and others across the world. Let us pray especially for the very young, the very old, the families, and the ill and wounded. Oh, God, help them. Oh, God, let us take their plight to heart. It is not just theirs. It is ours. There but for Your Grace, Oh God, go we and our cities and this nation. Let us humble ourselves and repent as did Daniel and Nehemiah among others who knew how to pray for their country. Teach us, Oh Lord,  how to pray for our country and for all others. Give us, Oh Lord, a heart for the poor and oppressed at home and abroad.

We in this blessed nation can be so calloused. Yes it is very sad that a dog is run over in the street. It is infinitely sadder when innocent children are gunned down in their schools or when runners are mowed down by shrapnel. But let us also remember that others suffer throughout the world horrors that we can barely comprehend. Let us face into our problems and theirs. Let us pray. Let us work. Let us sacrifice for those less blessed than we, next door and around the globe.

Categories
Wisdom

Know evil, no evil

No [actual] evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity. (Proverbs Chapter 12, Amplified Bible)

Oh Lord, grant me the wisdom to know and avoid evil, that I may live a righteous life. I urgently need this blessing to avoid the misfortune and calamity that assail me.

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Wisdom

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Wisdom

Quick foam

Proverbs, Chapter 14, Verse 17 (Amplified Bible)

He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.

Lord, keep me from foaming up and losing control. I need to deal wisely at every moment, not as a fool.

Categories
Wisdom

Seven falls

When I was a child, the family owned property with a swimming hole called Twin Falls. Most kids today probably don’t know what a swimming hole is. Anyhow, it was lots of fun. Seven falls, though, don’t make for much fun.

Proverbs 24

16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

I have fallen a lot. Help me, Lord, be righteous so you can lift me up and keep me up!

Categories
Wisdom

Respect the wicked?

Proverbs 18:5 (Amplified Bible)

To respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the [consistently] righteous of justice, is not good.

This struck me hard this morning. There is indeed an opportunity cost to some apparently good conduct. It may appear right to give a priority to the squeaking person, but since time and energy are always limited this comes at the cost of not devoting the time and energy to clearly good people and causes. This is a tough one for me. Aren’t we supposed to respect all. Please help me sort this one out.