Proverbs 25
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. —Proverbs 25:21-22
Job 16:17-22 – Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
As Job assures himself that he hasn’t committed any injustices, he looks for someone who would plead with God on his behalf rather than receive the scorn from his friends.
1. We often speak before pray…or think. Many times when our friends are struggling, in sin, or needing answers or help, we rush to share our opinion. When we rush to help, we can cause greater damage, even when we have the best intentions (Proverbs 19:2, 25:20). Therefore, it’s important that we first hear from the Lord on whether we should say or do anything. Who else better to speak with than God?!
Don’t open your mouth when:
1. In the heat of anger- Proverbs 14:17, [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
2. When you don’t have all the facts- Proverbs 18:13, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
3. When you haven’t verified the story- Deuteronomy 17:6, At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
When people experience a loss in their family or circle of friends, we often feel like we should say or do something, but we don’t know what. Though the situation may be awkward, we figure something is better than nothing…
Even though we may mean well, our words or actions may not be well received. We must consider the condition (and emotional state) of others instead of what we would like to do or say to them. We should want our words to be well received and planted in the good soil of their hearts.
Ask the Lord to show you how you can help them right where they are. Maybe it’s bringing them a box of Kleenex, cooking dinner for their family, giving them a ride, or buying flowers. Maybe you are with them in silence. How about watering their grass (or cutting it), picking up their kids from school, or helping with chores around the house?
Please consider the following scriptures:
Proverbs 25:20 – As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/SSPIVAK
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