Proverbs 14:30-31 

³⁰A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. ³¹Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Committee

The committee asked the visitor, “Why don’t you want to take oath?” The visitor explained, “Your honor Mr. Chair, I am not officially invited to attend, but I am here to represent our office.” The committee took a short break to discuss what they should do with the visitor who was not officially invited but wanted to speak before them. The committee agreed to excuse the visitor from the room.

Many politicians want to be addressed, “Your honor!” Right! If they behave in manners considered as honorable, will they be conscience-stricken? Anyway, what is your concept or idea of “honor?” How do you explain “honor” to a child?

The biblical meaning of the term “honor” implies weighty or heavy value. We honor parents because they’re significant and valuable to us. We honor God. We reverently admire and respect his glory. Unbelievers won’t honor God, why? It is burdensome oppression to them. For believers, to honor God is a privilege. How? Life is meaningless and no eternal purpose without God in us. How’s that?

Together, let’s reflect on what it declares about Jesus Christ in John 1:3-4.

³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

To breathe, eat or drink is fraction of life, but life has more to offer. Why do materially sufficient people still want power, popularity or relaxation? Life consists of all things we can enjoy peacefully in righteous manner. Do you accept and imagine that all pleasant things and righteous life comes from Christ Jesus?

Christ our Creator and author of life gave us life. Our life did not come from us. We can think of some temporal exiting life but not totally pleasant life. Can we discover a pleasant life to enjoy? How? Christ designed the most pleasant life in heaven and on earth. We must seek his guidance to explore life we may cherish.

Many politicians try to take advantage of their privileges and commit graft and corruption for personal gain. But without peace of mind, how can they enjoy and take pleasure in their ill-gotten wealth that they illegally accumulated?

We desire a pleasant life that we can enjoy peacefully with tranquility. But then, how can we have peace when circumstances are not favorable to us?

1.  Peace

³⁰A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Can you accept that your circumstances had been authored by the Lord? Do you think our loving God has placed you in a situation appropriate for you? If you can peacefully accept with gladness of heart that you are situated exactly where the Lord wants you to be, you could be inspired to do the best you can.

Do you desire to excel where you are at the moment? Do you praise and thank God where he situated you? Somehow, if you sense no fulfillment, if you sense no satisfaction in your circumstances, it feels like something is missing. And if you cannot readily thank God for your situation, what could you do?

Together, let’s learn from Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, ⁹Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

There was very little information about Jabez. Jabez belongs to the tribe of Judah. He was more honorable than his brothers. He behaved in accordance to the stipulations of the Lord. When he prayed for larger territory, he may have desired more material wealth as practical proof of living an honorable life.

Most biblical characters that reverently honored God had been materially blessed. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Job and Daniel were prominent in their generation. In comparison, not everyone who followed Christ has found contentment in life. One infamous example happened in John 12:4-6, ⁴One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Did the disciples know that Judas was stealing money from their collection bag? They did not reprimand him, why? Maybe, they’re giving him opportunity to repent or stop stealing. Why was Judas included to the 12 apostles? It’s warning for anyone who claims to be Christian but not sincerely trusts Christ as Lord.

It’s true that Christ saved us from eternal torture. So, how do we practically prove that our faith in Christ is genuine? How can Christ save us from temporal torture of financial scarcity or health problem? Are you anxious of your situation? Prayerfully ask Christ to realize what Philippians 4:6-7 says, ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Anyone can be anxious of what New Year may bring: weather, finances, health or safety. We are commanded not to be anxious about anything. Pray for peace when you are anxious. We cannot explain exactly, but the peace of God guards our heart and mind in Christ Jesus, even from anxiety or worry. Peace of God is also fruit of the Holy Spirit of God. So, whenever you sense anxiety or worry, sincerely pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit until you sense his peace.

Someone may ask, “What if a poor person is anxious about monthly bills, how can praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit solve the problem of being poor?”

2.  Poor

³¹Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Skeptics may inquire, “Why does a loving God allow people to be poor?” Do they want to learn or explore about our loving God? Do they assume that a loving God should provide everything for everyone equally? What do you think?

In the military, they wear uniform clothing and other paraphernalia and equipment. When the military march in uniform, they’re so nice to watch. In the past, schools required students to wear uniform clothing. And when people who opposed uniform got elected into government offices, uniform becomes obsolete.

Just imagine if everyone is equally given material privileges, the same car, the same house style, the same authority or privilege, not everyone can accept that idea of uniformity. There will always be someone who may oppose normalcy. Someone will always be offended. No satisfaction with wealth and power.

Together, let’s reflect on what happened in Exodus 1:7-10, ⁷The Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. ⁸Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. ⁹“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. ¹⁰Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

The king of Egypt was wealthy powerful king but he had no peace in his heart. He was not satisfied with his status. He was anxious and apprehensive that the Israelites may become powerful more than they can control. When he said, “Come, we must deal shrewdly with them,” it implies that his authority as king of Egypt was shaky and not stable. He needed help from his officials. His officials agreed with the king of Egypt because they were also anxious.

The king of Egypt impoverished or made the Israelites poor slaves, but God rescued the Israelites from slavery. And when it says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God,” means kindness to the needy poor is kindness that honors God.

Do you think God allows poverty so that believers may practice kindness to bring honor to him? Reflect on what Proverbs 19:17 says, ¹⁷Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

As we grow mature spiritually as believers of Christ, may transformation from old self to new life in Christ be more apparent in our life. If our practical life improve or remain the same just like the past years, we can actually have better outlook in life if the peace of God that surpasses understanding prevails in us.

May the peace of God prevail in us as we celebrate New Year! Amen!

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