Hard Things
Today’s reading: Proverbs 25:1-27:27
My selection: Proverbs 27:5-7
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7 One who is full loathes honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
My reflections: Here are some things which are hard to do:
Wound a friend for their own good.
Eat something delicious when you are full.
Eat something bitter.
These all point to the fact that growth in faith and godliness is often hindered because it is hard to do the things which result in faith and godliness in one another. We either will not administer loving correction to others or we will not accept correction delivered in love by a friend.
My challenge: How may we overcome our resistance to do the hard things? Stay hungry to learn and to grow. Accept with gratitude the bitterness of a rebuke. Reprove a friend when appropriate. Do not fear losing a friend. Fear being unfaithful before God.
Tomorrow’s reading: Proverbs 28:1-30:33