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Proverbs 25:1-29:27<\/strong><\/span> Proverbs chapter 25 verses 4 & 5 today are interesting: \u201cRemove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. Remove the wicked from the king\u2019s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I believe dross is some sort of impurity that is in silver when it is heated up.\u00a0 Actually, I just looked it up in the dictionary and dross means:\u00a0 \u201cimpurity: worthless or dangerous material that should be removed; \u201cthere were impurities in the water\u201d\u201d or \u201c[n. DRAHSS] Something that is useless or worthless is dross. This noun refers to the less-than-desirable parts of something. Near synonyms include: refuse, rubbish, and impurity. Another more specific use of the word dross describes the scum or slag thrown off from metals in the process of melting them. It traces back to the Old English dros, which corresponds to the Middle Dutch droes and the Germanic dros. All of these are words for dregs (less than desirable parts).\u201d\u00a0 So, this proverb is also saying the wicked in the king\u2019s court is an impurity that must be removed for a secure reign with justice.\u00a0 \u00a0This makes sense in a governmental sense.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want crooks on the cabinet.\u00a0 But, I think this also works well in our own personal lives.\u00a0 Sin is a dross \u2013 an impurity \u2013 in our life that must be removed so that we will be of use to the \u201csilversmith\u201d \u2013 Jesus.\u00a0 Do you have dross \/ sin in your life?\u00a0 Will you allow God to remove the dross \u2013 the impurity \u2013 from your life through the work of his expert Silversmith, Jesus?\u00a0 Please let Jesus heal you of the dross in your life.\u00a0 Jesus is the only one who truly can!<\/span><\/p>\n In proverbs 25:6-7 today we read \u2013 \u201cDon\u2019t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It is better to wait for an invitation than to be sent to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This reminds me of Jesus\u2019 parable of not taking the best seats at the feast, or you may be asked to move down. But take the lowest seats and you may be asked to move on up. This is similar to Jesus\u2019 teaching: \u201cthose who are first, shall be last. And those who are last, shall be first.\u201d Are you comfortable being last?\u00a0 This Proverb today also talks about waiting for an invitation.\u00a0 How are you doing these days on waiting?\u00a0 Are you comfortable with waiting?\u00a0 Are you even comfortable on waiting for God?\u00a0 I\u2019ll share with you that when I am in a season of \u201cwaiting\u201d I have been incredibly encouraged by Isaiah 40:31 \u2013 \u201cBut those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 And I\u2019ve also been encouraged greatly by the Lincoln Brewster song \u201cEverlasting God\u201d that has the awesome line \u2013 \u201cStrength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!\u201d\u00a0 Amen!\u00a0 Do you feel your strength rising as you wait upon the Lord?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 25 verses 9 & 10 is a strong teaching \u2013 \u201cSo discuss the matter with them privately. Don\u2019t tell anyone else, or others may accuse you of gossip. Then you will never regain your good reputation.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This Proverb stands out to me for when we see someone who perhaps sins.\u00a0 Maybe a brother or sister in Christ has a moral failing.\u00a0 And then the big question is this \u2013 will we discuss the matter directly with that person, to correct them.\u00a0 OR \u2013 will we discuss the matter with others and be a gossip?\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 there may be a time and a place to discuss the matter with others, such as a pastor, to get advice on how to discuss the matter with the person who stumbled.\u00a0 But, we absolutely should not resort to simply being a gossip about someone else.\u00a0 That\u2019s seeing one sin of someone else\u2019s and then creating another sin of your own!\u00a0 (note that even though this image below shows two women, men can gossip just as much as anyone else!)<\/span> Proverbs 25:14 is spot on: \u201cA person who doesn\u2019t give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don\u2019t bring rain.\u201d<\/em> Don\u2019t be that person!\u00a0 Make sure you give promised gifts.\u00a0 And how about giving unexpected gifts?\u00a0 Gifts for no particular reason?\u00a0 When is the last time you surprised someone with a gift out of the blue?\u00a0 Below is a great image for Proverbs 25:13 from today\u2019s readings:<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 25 verse 15 is a beautiful meditation in the midst of our hussle-bussle world of today \u2013 \u201cPatience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Basically this Proverb tells us that we don\u2019t need to be in a hurry or be loud!\u00a0 Are you a patient person?\u00a0 Do you speak softly \/ humbly?\u00a0 Mind if I close the post out today with an image of a dog demonstrating patience with a cute kitten?\u00a0 \u00a0Thanks\u2026\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Do you demonstrate patience regularly like this dog is demonstrating below?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Jordan St. Cyr\u2019s song \u201cFires:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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