Proverbs 16 offers us numerous admonitions to honor the LORD, and to remember that while we make our plans, it is the LORD who determines the outcome, or who orders our steps. The majority of the chapter focuses on the positive, but toward the end we read a few admonitions against wickedness and foolishness.
Proverbs 17 offers more admonitions against wickedness and foolishness, along with encouragement to live wisely. Nestled in the middle of the chapter is this jewel: 22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) As we go about our daily lives, the supernatural presence of joy makes all the difference. Not only does it show others the LORD is in control of our hearts, but it also provides a medicinal impact. While the statement was written several thousand years, ago, modern medicine has shown us the benefits of living with joy. Some would call it a positive attitude, but as we considered in our message series “Inside Out,” a positive attitude, and happiness are natural, while joy comes from the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 18 continues the formula of speaking about the difference between wise, foolish and evil people. Let’s look at two proverbs that don’t focus on that so much as it helps us understand relationships. The first is: 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. Proverbs 18:17 (ESV) It’s so important when we are in relationship with people, and there is a conflict to hear not just “both” sides of the story, but to listen through the Holy Spirit within us. Having been a pastor for more than three decades, I have had so many situations where a person has come and told me his or her side of a situation, and I thought, “Wow! He (or she) is being treated so unfairly.” Then comes the “offender,” and I hear his or her side of the story and think, “Wow! He (or she) is being treated so unfairly.” Then the question comes: How do I know who is right? It can be a matter of one telling the truth and the other lying, but it is rarely that. It can also be a matter of perspective, or each having only part of the information. Many years ago, a church secretary told me, “She’s going to tell you her husband is totally at fault, but remember: every board has two sides.” Over the years, I’ve found her statement to be so true, and I’ve also learned every board not only has two sides. It also has two edges! The second proverb reminds us how important it is to have a truly close friend in our lives: 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) In this Facebook age in which we live, many people have hundreds of “friends,” but no one who sticks closer than a brother. King Solomon made it clear, each of us needs someone who will be there for us–period. I have been blessed to have one or more such friends all my life. The good thing in such situations, is the friend also has someone who is there for him or her–you. As we live our lives, we must always remember: Life is a team sport!
As we return to Luke 17, let’s focus on Jesus reminder to forgive our brother (or sister) repeatedly. He says to forgive seven times a day, but the implication is there is no limit on our need to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus told us over and over again to forgive, because we have been forgiven. One of the clearest signs we are redeemed by Jesus’ blood is we demonstrate forgiveness to others. To be clear, forgiveness does not mean we endorse the other person’s sin. It means we let go of our right to hold the sin against the person. We don’t have to become close friends with those who sin against us repeatedly. We don’t even have to be friends with them. We do need to forgive them and release them to God.