Proverbs 28

Today’s thoughts, scribbles and marginal notes.

There’s a French proverb I like, it says:  No pillow is so soft as that of a clear conscience.   Verses 1 & 17  in this chapter would concur:  The wicked man flees though no one pursues (v 1) and a man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death (v 17).   The adrenaline  (I think that’s what it is) pulses through our veins when we know we’re in the wrong but haven’t yet been found out.  It pushes. Drives. Looks over our shoulder for us. Congratulates us for being careful when in truth we’re living fearful.   I like the end of verse 1.  The righteous are as bold as a lion.   Most of a lion’s day is NOT spent in pursuit and hunting, just as your day is usually same-ol’ same-ol’.  But walk toward a lion at rest.  He or she will raise up and look straight at you.  There’s strength enough to defend himself / herself, but there’s no sense of alarm (unless you create it).   The righteous are to be like that lion.  Bold.

Conceal your sin, however, and you’ll be skittish.  On- edge. You’ll think like a fugitive, perhaps even live like one.  You won’t prosper.  You’ve not a chance.  Confess and renounce the sin, however, and you become a sure recipient of mercy. (v 13).

I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the quiet boldness and the mercy that comes with owning up to my wrong-doings over the alternative any day.

A greedy man stirs up dissention (v 25) … isn’t that the same word used in Solomon’s strong warning in 6.19?  It certainly is.   And here it continues that the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.    Trusting the Lord gradually becomes easier to do as I see Him at work and take the time to notice.

These words stood out today too:

He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 

A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.  (19, 20)

There are so many get-rich schemes, methods and seminars available to the average sucker today, and those who chase those fantasies will have their fill of poverty.  Maybe they already do and that’s why they’re so consumed with getting rich right-away.  Or eager to get rich (v 20) even if it takes a while.  

I’m reminding myself today to “work my land”.  Do what God has gifted me to do.  And be faithful, knowing my Heavenly Father has plenty in His accounts to bless me.  He knows what I’ll enjoy most, and when.   I will trust in Him, and prosper, letting Him define what prosper means for me, both today and in eternity.