Proverbs 14:10-11 

¹⁰Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. ¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

Advice

A retiree published an article of numerous advices he wished he did when he was a young teenager. He advised that it is helpful to strive to be the only best and develop a habit of not being satisfied with mediocre performance. There are thankful comments from readers but not everyone agree with everything that the retiree suggested. Another young person added that it is great to aspire for great things but whether expectation happens or not yet, it is best to enjoy your life.

If you were to give an advice to teenagers, what will you tell them? Will you advice them to follow your path? Let’s reflect on what Apostle Paul advised in

1 Corinthians 11:1, ¹ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Christians: We may not admit it, but observers will learn from our habits and characters. Those who are still young in their faith may wish to follow our examples and behavior. Therefore, let’s strive to follow the examples of Christ. Be prepared to testify if you experienced much joy in your Christian life. The Lord has already prepared potential believers who will listen to your testimony.

         Anyone may attempt great things, to achieve great things, to earn more. The world promotes,“The more, the better!” kind of life. Of course, Christians are tempted to participate also. Businesses offer products as means to happy life. There’s temptation to acquire material things or achieve great things. Do you agree or disagree to what King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:1-3? ¹The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: ²“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” ³What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?

Are you puzzled why King Solomon said that, “Everything is meaningless?” The wisdom of King Solomon came from God. His conclusion that everything is meaningless should have been inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Do you believe that? The Lord granted wisdom and wealth to King Solomon for believers to learn from him and not only because he was the son of King David.

Many people listen to achievers like King Solomon. King Solomon was the wisest king of Israel; he accumulated much, and had numerous building projects and other businesses that any person may dream to accomplish in their lifetime. It takes godly wisdom to appreciate when King Solomon said that “everything is meaningless!” But still, you may hear people may advise to “Follow your heart!”

1.  Heart

¹⁰Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

The term “heart” pertains to the inner being that senses bitterness and joy.

When we sense gladness of heart, everything seems very easy and light. When we’re sad, everything seems difficult. Lonely or glad, our performance is affected. The heart is like an engine that causes motor vehicle to run; it requires fuels.

Not very fast

         Few decades ago, we were seated on a vehicle that cannot accelerate to the required speed limit in the fast lane. The driver had to switch on the hazard lights to warn other motorists that we were not very fast. When you buy your vehicle, consider the power of the engine and not just appearance.

The harsh and extreme winter in Winnipeg should always be considered. We do not want to get stuck on the road during winter. So consider the most efficient and powerful car you can afford the next time you buy your vehicle.

         Whether we like it or not, it’s smart to be prepared for possible struggles in life. Whether the heart is bitter or glad, nobody can totally share with us. A strong heart is like an efficient engine to motor vehicle. The heart serves as engine of our daily life. The stronger our heart is, the better we can overcome challenges in life. What can we do to grow stronger in our heart, in our innermost being?

         We’ve got to develop the habit of relying upon the Lord. Reflect on what it advised in Ephesians 5:17-18, ¹⁷Understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

         The Holy Spirit teaches us to understand the specific will of the Lord for us. We should always seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit in everything we do. The English term “filled” is comparable to get drunk on wine but more in positive way.

When controlled by alcohol, a drunkard would just do things that attracts him or excites him without pondering or deliberating on it, if it is beneficial or not.

Similarly, the Holy Spirit inspires us to do the will of God and not mindful of the outcome, why? We trust that whatever the Holy Spirit decides for us to do had been designed for our betterment or fullness of life. It’s great result of faith.

         Reflect on Ephesians 3:16-19, ¹⁶He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

         Have you discovered how wide and long and high and deep is his love for you? By faith we believe that Christ dwells in our hearts. The term “dwell” means to settle, reside, inhabit or stay home. Christ dwells in our heart as his home. His Holy Spirit made our heart his home. But can Christ do whatever he wants to do in us without asking for permission from us? He can, but most often we just cannot allow him. May Christ dwell and freely occupy our hearts as his house!

2.  House

¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

Both house and tent are dwelling places. A house is permanent structure while a tent can be temporary shelter. A house may withstand extreme weather while a tent can be transferred to another place. It stated that the wicked dwells in a house and not tent, why? And in comparison, it stated that the dwelling place for the upright is tent and not a permanent structure like house. Again, why?

         When extreme weather like hurricane destroys a house, it cannot be easily rebuilt to its original status within a day. In comparison, when a tent is destroyed during extreme weather like hurricane, a tent can be easily set up in few hours. Additionally, the term “flourish” can also mean “expand,” and if extension or expansion is needed, a tent is easier to be expanded as compared to a house.

         In short, when destruction happens during extreme weather, tent is easier to set up; expansion of dwelling is much faster for tents as compared to houses.

         Well, it is not about which one is preferable for believers for dwelling. It is more about favorable situation for the upright as compared to uncertainties of wicked. The upright may not necessarily aspire for betterment but it will happen anyway while wicked may not expect destruction but it will happen anyway. It says in Matthew 7:24-27, ²⁴Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. 

         Do you dream to live next to the seashore? Wealthy individuals prefer to build house on the seashore. View is awesome and accessible to the sea. But the recent hurricane exposed how devastating it is to live in house on the sand.

         Victims of the recent hurricanes may not have paid attention to warning advisory for evacuation; it practically illustrates eternal destruction of everyone who hears the warnings of Christ but did not put them into practice. We are warned to put into practice the warning of Christ but we need the help of his Holy Spirit.

         The hurricane was expected. Warning for evacuation had been issued. They did not force anyone to evacuate. The smart evacuated. Well, everyone is warned of the Judgment Day. Make sure that you put into practice the warnings of Christ. May the Holy Spirit dwell in us as guarantee that we will be saved from the imminent destruction of everyone who rejects Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for increase of faith, wisdom and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

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