Proverbs 19:1-2

¹Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. ²Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

An ordinary employee was relieved from his job when leadership has changed. The employee did not violate any company policy. Actually, he was diligent in his work but not very exceptional. What would you do if your company just wanted to remove you without any valid reason just like that?

Our human instinct would say, “Fight for our right!” But since we have become children of God, let’s reflect on what the word of God announces in

1 Peter 2:20-25, ²⁰How is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²²“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

When we are at the receiving end, our tendency is to retaliate and demand our right. But when the Holy Spirit inspires us, we remember the example that our Lord Jesus Christ set on the cross. We just want to experience the wonders of following the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ for not retaliating. We do not need to impress indifferent individuals. Instead we should reflect on 1 Peter 4:16-19, ¹⁶If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

When the Lord allows us to encounter injustice, maybe, it’s his way to help us evaluate if we trust his grand design. If we trust that God planned our path wonderfully, we also trust that he arranged series of tests to make sure that the quality of our spiritual maturity will be admirable. Naturally, we commit mistakes. By faith in Christ, we live, walk blamelessly with integrity.

1. Walk

                ¹Better the poor whose walk is blameless 

              than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Most often we compare ourselves with our peers or contemporaries. If they are better financially, we feel sad. If we diligently search beyond our circles, there are people who are not rich either. Would it cause us to thank and praise God to realize that we are not really worse than many others?

Just recently in Asia, excessive rainfall caused flood and landslide. They are still communities affected by war. Many people are hungry and homeless but still graft and corruption in the government got worsen. Yet in social media, people publish their excessively luxurious expenditures.

If we are envious of what others have instead of thankful for what we have, we can be disillusioned and neglect to praise God for the many blessings that he has showered upon us. Personally, how do you interpret and explain in simple language what it declares in John 1:16? ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

If we realize we received grace in place of another grace already given. We’re thankful. God’s grace is sufficient, and it by his grace that we also realize it. During Prayer Meeting, we share things that we praise and thank God for. And, it is truly inspiring to hear that everyone has something to praise and thank God for. It inspires us to thank God also. Practically, how do we prove when we realize the grace and love of God for us.

Manasseh

Trivia: Who reigned the longest as king of the Israelites? Manasseh reigned as king of Judah for 55 years. Was it God’s blessing for him? Let’s reflect on what it narrated about King Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33:10-13,

¹⁰The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. ¹¹So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. ¹²In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. ¹³And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

Manasseh was very bad king, but later he repented after God made him suffered. God allows us to have difficulties so that we may seek him.

God loved us. He reconciled us to himself through faith in Jesus Christ. He already delivered everything we need for godly life. We thank and praise him for his grace. When we’re tired, Christ invites us to find rest in him. He is the way, the truth and the life. How do you interpret Christ is the way?

2. Way

                ²Desire without knowledge is not good—

             how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

Desire could dictate anyone’s behavior. We work as a way or means to satisfy desire for money. We all want to have money. Students hastily forego their studies to earn money. But smart people study diligently, why? They envision education as their tool to find better employment later.

Kapit sa Patalim

There’s Tagalog saying, “Kapit sa Patalim” which literally translated in English, “hold on sharp edge.” Someone hated Math and failed in almost all Math subjects. Without knowledge, no trade experience, she started her own business. To sustain her small business enterprise, she recurrently borrowed money for 20% interests. Few years passed by, her financial debts compounded. Their house and lot were foreclosed subsequently.

For lack of financial education, she held on sharp edge (kumapit sa patalim) that eventually hurt her and her family financially. Can you believe that God does not want us to be poor? Can you believe that God want us to have better life when he commanded in Deuteronomy 8:18? ¹⁸Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

If you desire to earn more money, pray for skill on how to maximize your potentials. Don’t be hasty in your decisions. Pray for godly wisdom and ability to produce wealth. Pray for increase of faith to trust the Lord’s revelation on how to open the floodgate of so much blessings.

We ask God like Colossians 1:9-10, ⁹To fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

By faith we trust God has delivered everything we need for blameless life. Christ is the wisdom and power of God. We trust him to maximize the potentials he gave us. We pray for increase of faith to trust and follow his revelation for great life adventure in Christ. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

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