Proverbs 12:7-8

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. ⁸ A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.

Muscles

There was an article about old age and struggle of losing muscle. Muscles of older people shrink. And it’s advisable to have regular exercise to maintain or slowdown losing muscles. Exercise is necessary to maintain physical strength.

The stronger muscles you’ve got, the better you appreciate physical work. Activities like sport, even travels demand strength. Travelling requires walking for extended time. Summer is coming. Do you have plans of travelling to different places? It is advisable to practice walking for extended hours. You will surely enjoy more of your travel if you are physically fit. What do you think?

Similarly, life as believers in Christ is our spiritual journey; it requires us to be spiritually fit and appreciate Christian life. Religious or not, expect that spiritual battle will erupt anytime anywhere. What can we do? We prepare spiritually for dangerous possibilities. It reminds us in Ephesians 6:10-13, ¹⁰Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The phrase put on the full armor of God is repeated; it implies that struggle against the powers of darkness is very risky situation. Most often, we become complacent when everything seems fine and perfect like white snow on the ground. Right after snowfall, the ground looks very clean and white.

You have to carefully step on the white clean snow. If very slippery ice is hidden under the white snow, there’s possibility of losing your balance and fall. You wear proper winter paraphernalia to avoid falling down on slippery ice.

Similarly, the full armor of God is proper Christian attire to avoid spiritual fall. Remember that we regularly struggle against the powers of darkness; so let us be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power to stand firm. Remember that!

1.  Remembered

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

The term “stands firm” is also translated “remembered.” Righteousness will be remembered for longer time. There are situations when we do something right and proper but not recognized. When at the moment, others won’t recognize it yet, the good things you did, do not feel sorry or disheartened.

Keep doing what you know as good, proper and right. The Lord is watching attentively for our goodness and righteousness; he recorded all our activities, good or bad. Certainly, he will reward you at proper time. Can you believe that?

Mordecai

When two officials conspired to assassinate the king of Persia, Mordecai, the cousin and foster father of Queen Esther exposed their plan. It was recorded but no reward given to Mordecai. One night, Xerxes the king of Persia ordered that records of his kingship be read. When he heard about the conspiracy against him was exposed by Mordecai, he asked Haman what should be done for that man that the king delight to honor. Haman the next high ranking official in Persia thought that the king will honor him; so, he answered the king in Esther 6:7-10.

⁷ “For the man the king delights to honor, ⁸ have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. ⁹ Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” ¹⁰ “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

Haman was thinking of himself but the Lord used his selfish advice in favor of the righteous Mordecai. The Lord is just; he promised rewards for righteous deeds. Others may not recognize or realize it yet, when you do what is right and proper, but certainly, the Lord has records for everything we do or decide.

Together, let us reflect on what it advise us in Galatians 6:9-10, ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The Lord has special reward for goodness done to the family of believers. And, the Lord had his proper timing to reward righteousness. Mordecai did what he knew was right but was not immediately rewarded. When his goodness was remembered and rewarded, Mordecai was well respected by everyone else.

2.  Respected

⁸ A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.

 Prudence is good judgment; it is wisdom with caution; it’s foresight ahead of contingencies or emergency incidents. It exhibits careful preparation and plans for possibilities. Contingency plans against unforeseen events show prudence.

Prudence is the opposite of last minute rashness or tendency to act too hastily without due consideration. The expected result of prudent life is respect. When we reverently fear and depend on the Lord, he bestows prudence in us.

David was one of the most respected, if not most respected king of Israel.

His exploits were recorded for believers to learn from him, how he trusted God.

David

At a very young age, David had displayed prudence. Let’s reflect on what it had narrated in 1 Samuel 17:40, ⁴⁰David picked up his wooden staff. He went down to a stream and chose five smooth stones. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. Then he took his sling in his hand and approached Goliath.

 David used one stone to kill the giant Goliath, but he prepared five stones before he faced the giant Philistine, Why? Did David presume that he might not be able to hit his enemy with one stone? Did he collect more stones as souvenir? What do you think? Reflect on what it narrated in 1 Samuel 17:49, ⁴⁹He reached into his bag. He took out a stone. He put it in his sling. He slung it at Goliath. The stone hit him on the forehead and sank into it. He fell to the ground on his face.

 David made sure that at first strike, giant Goliath was dead. He may have prepared more stones, if in case Philistine soldiers may come forward to attack.

Most if not all of us, prepare for retirement years. As the saying goes, “We save for rainy days.” Here is reality that we should consider. Do you know of possible needs or situations await us in heaven? We have no idea about life in heaven. Christ warned in Matthew 6:20. ²⁰Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

It exhibits prudence to prepare of possible circumstances that we have no idea yet. Christ did not reveal much about life in heaven, why? Our human limited mind cannot conceptualize the eternal wonders of heaven. But when we obey his instructions to store up eternal treasures, it is practical proof that we trust Christ.

God has already prepared for heavenly needs but Christ instructed us to store up treasures in heaven. Treasures in heaven can only be gathered while we live our Christian lives. To seriously store up treasures in heaven is prudence.

Just as David was very sure of hitting his target, yet he took four more stones for contingencies we should also practice much prudent to stockpile treasures for ourselves in heaven because we do not know what awaits us there.

Why would Christ give such instruction if it is not very important to store up treasure in heaven for ourselves? It is by faith in him that we trust his warning of possible contingencies we don’t know yet. Christ is the truth, and whatever he declares is true. Christ came for us to have fullness of life, and that includes life in heaven, not just practical life on earth. How strong do you believe that?

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