Hold firm to God’s goodness…

 

Nearly every day there are news items that make us shake our heads. Why did this leader decide that? How could a politician think people want that? Of course we don’t know enough about all issues to judge them, yet I’ve concluded that those who reach prominence in high places forget, or are ignorant, about how most of the world lives. 

Solomon, with all his flaws, still was considered wise. He wrote many proverbs about life and this one hits my shaking head: 

A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. (Proverbs 29:7)

A righteous man is someone declared righteous because of his faith in God. Instead of trusting his own way, he seeks God's will and His way. The wicked man describes anyone who is entirely self-centered and trusts his own ideas, shunning the ways of God. I’ve noticed this is true in my own life. If I have a bee in my bonnet about anything, and that bee is contrary to God's ways, I soon lose any perception of human rights and many other things — because I am thinking only of myself and what I want.

As for the rights of the poor, God honors those who know and care for them: “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.” (Proverbs 29:14). However. This requires paying attention to God.

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18)

This is true for rich and poor alike. If anyone cannot see the ways of God or pays no attention to His will or follow His guidance in how to live, they will do their own thing without restraint. We all know people who have very little self-control yet a great deal of self-interest. They completely miss the vision that the Lord has for living under His incredible blessings.

Not only that, sinfulness and selfishness rob me of the ability to be just toward others. As the wise man once wrote. . . .  

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. (Proverbs 29:27)

If I live the way God desires, those stuck in their selfishness find me odd, even disgusting. They do not understand me and might even hate me. This is described further in the NT, and even in the daily news as Christians are targeted, persecuted, even slaughtered — because of being misunderstood by those blinded by their sin.

PRAY: Dear Father God, You are able to protect Your people but also to open blind eyes and work righteousness in hard hearts. I pray about my own lack of vision, but also for those who need their eyes opened to Your goodness and Your desire for their good. Enable me to remain faithful no matter how I am perceived. Amen.